Native Pollinator Gardens
Even with a little room, anyone can create a pollinator garden. Its as easy as grabbing a few Native perennials to your area and some digging. With climate change happening all garden centers have easy to care for native perennials to promote sustainability everywhere.
The How To…
First off you will need to know the amount of light and what plants are native in your area. To find plants native to your area, there is the native plant finder online where you type in your zip code and it will give you a list of plants, shrubs, and trees native to your area. Lighting is important too, some natives thrive in dry sunny areas while others thrive in dark, wetland areas. Research the plant and study your landscape to get the best plant for the place. Also don’t worry if a plant doesn’t work out that’s the great thing about gardening, its creative and experimental. Nothing goes perfect in the landscape, ever!
Also you will need to know the size of the area you will be planting in— You can still have a pollinator gardens in containers if there is no yard space. From there you can assess how many natives you will need to plant and room for them to grow. Always keep in mind the room to grow! Plants will fill out in time and a little space in between is ok.
Decide on the maintenance as well. Oftentimes natives are the easiest to care for because well they are acclimated to the environment and don’t need any special fertilizers or pruning schedule. But some natives can be aggressive and can easily over take an area if in the right place. Bee balm is a lovely addition to any garden since they bring Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees, but they are part of the mint family and will easily take over an entire bed if left alone. Just know if you plant it, you might have to pull some out of other plants.
At Mountain Home Landscape, we understand the importance of choosing the right plants for your garden to thrive. While soil amendments can be beneficial in some cases, selecting native plants that are well-suited to the existing soil in your yard can often eliminate the need for additional amendments. By matching plants to their preferred growing conditions, most natives can prosper without the use of soil additives. Watering is crucial for establishing new plants, but once roots are established after a season, ongoing watering may not be necessary, as many native species are adapted to local conditions. While mulch can aid in retaining moisture and providing organic matter to the soil, it is not always a mandatory requirement for successful plant growth. Our decades of experience have shown that thoughtful plant selection and attentive initial care can lead to a thriving, low-maintenance garden that enhances your outdoor space effortlessly.
The link below will bring you to the Audubon native plant finder and will show you the natives to Williamstown.
Landscape Design Tips: Frame It and Thriller, Filler, and Spiller
When planning your pollinator garden, consider framing the space to define the structure of the plants within. If you desire a more natural, wild field aesthetic, a squared-off section of the landscape can achieve this look while providing guidelines for plant spacing. The same principle applies to contained perennial gardens for a cohesive and organized appearance.
The concept of "thriller, filler, and spiller" involves strategic plant placement to create visual interest and balance within your garden. Place large plants or shrubs (the "thrillers") in the center or at the back of the garden, with medium-sized plants (the "fillers") surrounding them. At the edges, smaller bedding plants (the "spillers") can complete the arrangement. For example, taller native perennials like Joe Pye Weed can serve as striking focal points, complemented by mid-sized plants such as Bee Balm, Echinacea, and Milkweed, while smaller edge plants like White flower Asters, Geranium maculatum, and Violas add a finishing touch.
Consider incorporating a color scheme to enhance the visual impact of your garden. Whether you opt for a monochromatic palette or a vibrant mix of colors reminiscent of a box of crayons, the possibilities are limitless. Let your creativity guide you in creating a pollinator garden that is not only visually appealing but also beneficial for local wildlife.
Low Maintenance Native Pollinator Gardens
When it comes to achieving low-maintenance natural beauty in your outdoor space, native pollinator gardens emerge as the ideal choice. Beyond being a mere food source for insects, these gardens serve as vital habitats for a diverse range of pollinators. Caterpillars, for instance, display a penchant for specific plants both for sustenance and pupation. Insects often find refuge in the decaying leaves of these plants, where they can hibernate through winter until the inviting arrival of spring.
To maintain a semblance of tidiness in your garden, a simple practice involves clearing out old plant stems later in the spring season. This minor adjustment can help achieve a slightly neater look without compromising the essence of a thriving pollinator haven. Low maintenance and eco-friendly, native pollinator gardens stand out as a harmonious blend of functionality and natural allure.
In conclusion
Native wildflowers play a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem by providing essential resources for birds, insects, and wildlife. These wildflowers serve as a vital food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, helping to sustain their populations and promote biodiversity. By planting native wildflowers, we can create a habitat that attracts a diverse range of species, from hummingbirds to beneficial insects like ladybugs. To strike a balance between incorporating native wildflowers and maintaining a functional landscape, it is recommended that approximately 70% of the yard be dedicated to these pollinator-friendly plants. This allows for a harmonious coexistence between aesthetics and environmental enrichment, contributing to the overall health and vitality of our local ecosystem.
At Mountain Home Landscape, in all our garden designs, we strive to uphold the 70-30 rule set by Doug Tallamy, a Ph.D. entomologist at the University of Delaware. By allocating 70% of the garden space to native plants and 30% to non-natives, we aim to create balanced ecosystems that support local wildlife and biodiversity. As patrons of the natural environment, we are committed to implementing sustainable horticultural practices that harmonize with the ecosystem rather than disrupt it. Through thoughtful design and conscious landscaping, we endeavor to cultivate outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial to the environment.
