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Pollinate Happiness field-trip sheet · September

Hicksville Public Library

Address: 169 Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801
Host: Hicksville Public Library · Installed: October 4, 2023

Getting there: The planter is in the front garden facing Jerusalem Avenue and can be seen any time the grounds are open.

Name ______________________   Date __________   Time ______   Weather ______________

QR code linking to the Hicksville Public Library planter page
Scan for photos and plant profiles

What is planted here

  • Purple Coneflower (blooms Jun to Sep)
  • Black-Eyed Susan (blooms Jun to Sep)

Purple coneflower anchors the planting, with seasonal color rotated in by the library's garden volunteers.

Look for in September

  • Purple Coneflower in bloom
  • Black-Eyed Susan in bloom
  • Purple Coneflower seed heads or pods
  • Black-Eyed Susan seed heads or pods
  • Bumble bees on the purple coneflower
  • Butterflies on the purple coneflower
  • Skippers on the purple coneflower
  • Goldfinches eating purple coneflower seeds

Did you know? (Purple Coneflower) Bumble bees, sweat bees, and butterflies work the disk florets all summer; silvery checkerspot caterpillars eat the leaves.

Student worksheet

  1. 1. Observe. Stand still for one minute and watch the flowers. Make a tally mark for every insect that lands.

  2. 2. Count. Pick one plant from the list. How many flowers or seed heads does it have right now? Is it budding, blooming, going to seed, or resting for winter?

  3. 3. Sketch. In the box, draw one visitor (an insect or bird) or one flower head. Label at least two parts.

  4. 4. Compare. Which plant had the most visitors? What about it (color, shape, height, smell) might explain that?

  5. 5. Connect. Look around the planter: lawn, pavement, trees, other gardens? Where do you think today's visitors came from, and where will they go next?

For the teacher

Before or after the visit, try these free activities. Answer keys cover every game.

Please stay on paths, leave plants and seed heads in place, and check host hours before you go. Planter page: pollinatehappiness.com/installations/hicksville-library