Wonder Kids

 

Our native garden is a living classroom for Wonder Kids designed to showcase the beauty and importance of Kentucky’s native plants.This space is filled with diverse species that provide food and habitat for pollinators, demonstrate traditional uses, and highlight the resilience of local ecosystems.

 

Children explore the garden to learn how native plants support butterflies, bees, and birds, while also discovering their cultural and practical uses. Through hands-on lessons, they see how these plants once sustained Appalachian families and how they continue to play a vital role in maintaining balance in nature.

 

A few of the plants you’ll find here include:

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – loved by pollinators and valued for its traditional medicinal uses.

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – a hardy wildflower that brightens the landscape and feeds pollinators.

• Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) – a pollinator magnet with historical uses as a tea.

• Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – essential for monarch butterflies.

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda didyma) – fragrant and rich in nectar for hummingbirds and bees.

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Kentucky’s state flower, supporting late-season pollinators.

Together, these plants create a vibrant outdoor classroom where children can connect with the land, learn about sustainability, and discover the deep ties between people, plants, and pollinators.