It started when Manheim Township Historical Society (MTHS) member Debbie Frantz read a flyer. "It said, 'If you're interested in your property becoming a wildlife habitat, please reach out'" recalled Frantz, who noted that the Lancaster Tree Tenders course offered certification of gardens by the National Wildlife Federation. She contacted Linda Ferich of the Lancaster Tree Tenders about becoming a habitat steward and planned a special garden at Stoner House, home of MTHS, 601 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster.

When Frantz learned about pollinator gardens in a Lancaster County Conservancy newsletter, she decided to combine the information to create a pollinator garden that includes a variety of native plants, which she located behind Stoner House on the side closest to Stoner Grille. Frantz noted that she planted the garden during 2020 when she had plenty of free time due to COVID-19 restrictions. She worked with plants recommended by the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society. Many of the plants were donated by a neighbor of Frantz's named Susan Anderson, but others came from Ferich and MTHS board member Mary Bolinger. "These are native plants, and most attract bees and butterflies, and (this) is one that should attract hummingbirds," she said, gesturing around the garden.

Frantz also visited the Penn State Extension Farm to research its pollinator plants and added zinnias to the mix. Other plants in the garden include oxeye daisy, swamp milkweed with orange flowers, cone flowers, coreopsis, oak leaf hydrangea, and sunflowers. Frantz knows the names of the plants and can often identify who contributed them to the garden. "That is a form of verbena from Mary Bolinger," said Frantz. "This is called nodding onion." Native versions of bee balm and an aster with tiny purple flowers also populate the garden. Frantz said that the garden has the necessary features to qualify as a wildlife habitat.

The pollinator garden, however, does not represent the sum of Frantz's efforts at Stoner House. Around the house, she has a variety of types of mint and strawberries. In the area between the house and the parking lot, she has received approval to put in an heirloom vegetable garden, which includes medicinal herb, lavender, sage, thyme, rosemary, ferns, and apple mint for meadow tea. "Next year I will have parsley," noted Frantz, who detailed her plans for walkways and a gate. "We will do heirloom tomatoes and pumpkins (next year)," she added.

MTHS members worked for several years to restore Stoner House. Readers who would like more information may email mthistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 717-569-6638.