We love seeing busy bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flitting about the garden center as they pollinate our vast collection of plants. It tells us that the warm weather is here to stay and sunny days are ahead of us! You too can have these famed garden visitors in your neck of the woods by placing the blooms, foliage, and products they love to eat and drink from in your garden.
WHY POLLINATOR GARDENS?
Pollinators are one of the most important groups of animals on Earth because they spread the pollen of various plants to each other. This helps plants grow prolifically, produce fruits and vegetables, as well as continue the success of the Earth’s natural ecosystems. We wouldn’t have the mass amounts of farming and gardening success that we do without our beloved pollinators. And since they do so much for us that we aren’t even aware of, we can give back to them in little ways by providing them with safe places to land and eat from with their favorite plants.
LET’S START A POLLINATOR GARDEN!
All of the best pollinator gardens start with a great plan. What plants and products will work best in your yard? Is your garden more shady or sunny? Do you have room for a water feature? These are all wonderful questions to ask yourself before thinking about attracting pollinators. If you need some assistance thinking up the pollinator garden of your dreams, call on one of our Green Team experts (link to locations) in-store for some helpful advice specific to your needs.
Once you’ve thought up your pollinator garden plan, you can move on to the even more fun part – Shopping! Pollinator gardens don’t only need to be filled with blooms, here is our main list of plants we love to recommend for our pollinating pals:
PLANTS/FLOWERS:
Aster • Milkweed • Coneflowers • Coreopsis • Cosmos • Daisies • Lantana • Pentas • Petunias • Primrose • Rudbeckia • Verbena • Veronica • Zinnia • Broccoli • Cleome • Clover • Dill • Fennel • Mints • Parsley • Snapdragons • Salvia • Impatiens • Calibrachoa • Cuphea • Geraniums • Bellflower • Bee Balm
SHRUBS:
Butterfly Bush • Clethra • Glossy Abelia • Ligustrum Lilac • Mock Orange • Weigela • Anise • Spicebush
TREES:
Black Locust • *Black Willow • Elm • *Hackberry • *Sassafras • Tulip Poplar Tree • *Wild Cherry
*Denotes native plants frequently found existing in this area.
PRO-TIP: Be sure to check out our other pollinator blog to learn more about nectar plants vs. host plants and what they do for pollinators respectively.
We also love pairing our favorite plant choices with products that help protect pollinators.
- Bird Baths for Pollinators
Add rocks above the surface of the bird bath to give pollinators a place to rest and have a sip of water!
- Bee, Butterfly, and Bird Houses
Give your favorite pollinators a break from the elements with a house to rest their wings.
- Hummingbird Feeders
Although bees and butterflies manage with the pollinator plants they are given, hummingbirds may also enjoy a feeder or two to grab an extra snack. There is a wide variety of hummingbird feeders available in our stores, including the humm yumm feeder which is perfect for the hummingbird's need for bug protein as well as nectar.
Now that you have some ideas to provide for your fellow pollinators, add some of your own personality to your garden with pollinator-themed garden flags, spinners, pottery, and so much more!
To stay updated on all things spring gardening, check out the Garden Guru every week with new plants, products, and expert planting advice. To get inspired and grow with us, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to dig into the joys of gardening!