Growing Knowledge: The Blooming Gardens of Anderson County Library
How Dodie Clark, Master Gardener, Transformed an Overlooked Space into a Sensory Haven for the Community
"Native Americans called our state wildflower Goldenrod, 'Sun Medicine' because its tall heads of golden flowers were used in teas to cure allergies and colds; and the leaves and roots as an antiseptic."
From Overgrown to Oasis: A Garden's Transformation
What began as an "unutilized, overgrown green space" in the children's section of Anderson County Library has blossomed into something extraordinary. In 2018, Dodie Clark, a certified SC Master Gardener, SC Native Plant Society member, and Upstate SC Master Naturalist, spotted potential in the neglected courtyard. With permission to begin a revitalization campaign, local companies, non-profit donations, grants, and dedicated volunteers joined forces to transform the area.
The result? Two distinct garden collections—a Sensory Garden and a Carolina Fence Garden—featuring 25 native and pollinator-friendly plant species. The impact has been remarkable, with visitor numbers soaring from 1,000 in 2021 to over 7,000 in 2024 following the 2020 renovation.
A Garden That Teaches: Indigenous Wisdom and Sensory Exploration
The Carolina Fence Garden serves as a living museum of plants historically used by the indigenous Cherokee people. Visitors learn how these plants provided food, medicine, building materials, and more—knowledge later adopted by early colonists. Meanwhile, the Sensory Garden, designed by the Youth Services Department, stimulates four of the five senses: sight, smell, sound, and touch.
The thoughtfully curated space features fragrant flowers, textured bark, and rustling leaves that attract songbirds and pollinators, creating an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. The gardens aren't just beautiful—they're educational tools that connect people with nature and history in a meaningful way.
Digital Growth: How Plantsoon Extends the Garden Experience
Technology enhances the visitor experience through a partnership with Plantsoon, a platform that allows the library to inventory and track its growing collection of plants. QR-coded plant tags throughout the gardens provide instant information access, while the Plantsoon.com platform enables virtual visits for those unable to experience the gardens in person. This digital extension supports the library's strategic goals of outreach, advocacy, improved patron experience, and innovation.
The gardens also serve as a hub for community science initiatives, including The Community Collaborative Rain Hail & Snow (CoCoRaHS), Cornell Ornithology's Project FeederWatch, and iNaturalist service-learning projects. As the library looks toward expanding its green initiatives to other branches, the gardens remain a testament to how public spaces can nurture both plants and people.
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