Butterflies Released At Cleveland Heights Library

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - Nothing says Spring quite like a butterfly. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Libraries recently released 10 Painted Lady Butterflies into the Lee Road branch's Reading Garden.

The garden has been transforming from a children's garden to a place for library patrons of all ages, says Cassandra Anselmi, youth librarian at the Lee branch. The butterflies, which Anselmi helped raise, were released into the garden on Tuesday as part of that transition.

The Painted Lady Butterfly enjoy dining on the nectar of thistles, aster, ironweed, cosmos, and blazing star, among others, according to ButterflyandMoth.org. The website also says the butterflies are common residents of gardens.

The butterfly's wings can grow between 2 inches and 2.87 inches long. The butterfly's caterpillars enjoy thistles, hollyhock, mallow, and various legumes.

Over the course of 2017, Anselmi says more changes are planned for the Reading Garden. Namely, she plans on growing more sensory plants, adding art elements, and further redefining the space for patrons that want to be at the library but also want to enjoy the rare, beautiful Northeast Ohio days.

"It's also a great place to eat lunch," Anselmi told Patch.

The space may be used for story time, community concerts, and art projects in the future.

You can see a video of the butterflies below.

Photo from CHUH Libraries