When to Plant? Spring planting will allow plants to grow, develop, and possibly bloom long before the winter freeze, but may require more diligent weeding and watering than a fall planting. The benefits of planting in the fall include cooler temperatures, reduced weed pressure, and consistent Pollinator moisture. When planting, follow the nursery’s specifications and plant at the GARDENS correct depth. To reduce plant shock Design Guide and promote root growth, plant on an overcast day, separate roots if root bound, and cut back half of the aboveground vegetation if the plant is robust and Gardening for Pollinators Pollinator Garden Designs (See detailed plans inside.) leafy. It is common for native plants to Pollinators are at the heart of these gardens! spend the first, and possibly the second, Bees, butterflies and other pollinators need Dry Pollinator Garden plants thrive in growing season developing an extensive pollen, nectar and vegetation to live. These dry, drought-prone, well drained soils. and deep root system rather than gardens are designed for them! Dry sites are usually found on hills and/ aboveground vegetation and flowers. This or sandy soils. is a marvelous adaptation for survival in a Gardens Designed for prairie landscape, which was essential to Pollinators Leaving duff, stems, and seed pods over winter will provide pollinators a safe place to hibernate and will provide habitat the development of the Midwest’s fertile The gardens pictured here include many and food for other wildlife, including backyard birds. soil. different flowers that will bloom throughout Wet Pollinator Garden plants thrive the growing season. Planting flowers so in low-lying, poorly drained areas that Size and Availability of • Fertilizer use can encourage weed bees nest underground. Once plants something is blooming from spring through pond water after it rains and retain Native Plant Materials growth and is not recommended. fill in and shade the soil, allow mulch to fall provides a continuous source of food wetness for long periods. Native plants have evolved to handle decompose, leaving bare soil areas for for pollinators. The native plants selected These gardens were designed for the use the Midwest soil and climate. native, ground nesting bees. for these gardens provide pollinators with of bare root stock, plugs or potted plants. particularly high value nectar and pollen. In Using seed to establish this garden will Bees and Mulch Neighborhood Garden addition to planting native plants with high Typical Moisture Pollinator Garden require more vigilance in eliminating plants thrive in moist, moderately Some bare soil is desirable for ground value nectar and pollen, there are other vegetation prior to planting, particularly Not enough space for a garden this size? drained soil that are not too wet or too nesting bees. However, using mulch steps you can take to support pollinators. roots and weed seed persisting in the soil. Consider a neighborhood pollinator dry soils. during the first year helps plants become garden. Find nearby friends and Cluster plants of the same species established by conserving water and Maintenance neighbors and have each person plant a together for efficient foraging. When suppressing weeds. portion of the garden or encourage a local the same flowers are grown together, Don’t forget to maintain vegetation after school to develop a pollinator garden for pollinators don’t have to travel as far Savanna Pollinator Garden plants planting. Water and weed the garden until When the soil is disturbed during use as an outdoor classroom. between blossoms. This makes collecting thrive in moist soils that are partially plants are established. Full establishment preparation and planting, seeds that were previously lying dormant are brought to nectar and pollen easier. shaded by scattered trees and receive may take up to two years. 3-6 hours of sun per day. the surface. With enough light, moisture Once the garden is established leave some The native plants included in these and heat, those seeds may germinate. bare areas of soil for nesting, particularly gardens evolved to thrive under Midwest For more information Weeds can also grow from roots that at the base of flowers and grasses. Many conditions, generally requiring less on gardening with remain in the soil after tilling. Mulching native bees nest in bare soil often at the Tall Border Pollinator Garden plants maintenance when established. However, helps to conserve moisture and prevent pollinators: base of their favorite plants. provide a floral backdrop along property maintenance during establishment is key weeds from getting enough sunlight to lines or fence rows. These plants are to a successful planting. Remember: germinate and grow. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Avoid the use of insecticides, they not suited to soils that are not too wet or too only kill pollinators, but sub-lethal doses • Weed as needed. Service national website for dry. Note: Use hardwood mulch without dyes. can affect their foraging and nesting • Water throughout the growing season Keep mulch away from the base of the plant pollinators: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ behaviors and suppress their immune when the soil begins to dry out or to avoid smothering them. system. Systemic insecticides, insecticides if plants begin to wilt. Watering is nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/ pollinate/ taken up into plant tissue, are of particular typically required during the first year. Native Bees and Mulch concern. The toxicity of systemic Tips for Success In cases of drought, additional watering The Midwest is home to roughly four insecticides can persist in pollen, nectar and tilling, and herbicide application are may be necessary. Maximize the success of your efforts and hundred different kinds of native ILLINOIS plant tissue for long periods of time, posing minimize long-term maintenance by techniques commonly used alone or in • Mulch beds with shredded bark mulch bees. Native bees out-pollinate the a threat to pollinators. When purchasing spending time preparing the site. The combination to properly prepare a garden or other material. Newspaper can be more familiar European honey bee. plants at nurseries, ask if they have been importance of “proper” site preparation bed for planting. placed under mulch for extra cover. Approximately seventy percent of native treated with systemic insecticides. cannot be stressed enough. What Once competing vegetation has been Shop for plants using their Latin name to does proper mean? Eliminate existing removed and the soil has been prepared, ensure proper plant selection. Plants often vegetation and suppress competition installation of a garden edging can keep Helping People Help the Land. have multiple common names. from seed lying dormant in the soil lawn grass and other weeds from creeping waiting for enough sun and moisture www.il.nrcs.usda.gov into the garden for years to come. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. IL • [June 2017] to germinate. Sod removal, smothering, Tall Border Pollinator Garden Site conditions: Full sun - 6 or more hours per day These sites have soils that are moist, but are not saturated wet or soggy Digging 20’ D L Into the Details... K J K H D 6’ Site Prep I B A G F F I L C C E Tall Border Pollinator Garden Sod Removal Tilling • Early Spring Application - After a Common Name Latin Name No. of Plants Height Spacing Flower Color complete kill, if dead vegetation is thick, The fastest site preparation method is to Existing garden beds or areas with little Early Bloomers tilling once more or removing the sod remove the sod and till the soil. vegetation, such as areas that have been using a sod cutter may make planting A Foxglove Beardtongue* Penstemon digitalis 7 2’-3’ 1‘ White in row crops, may simply require hand • If needed, mow grass or existing easier. Remember, tilling may bring B Common Spiderwort * Tradescantia ohiensis 3 2’-4’ 1’ Blue pulling of vegetation or tilling to be ready vegetation. more weed seed to the surface. Plan for planting. Follow these steps: C Cream Wild Indigo Baptisia bracteata 3 1’-3‘ 1’-3‘ Cream • Remove sod using a sod cutter. A sod to keep weeds in check with regular Mid Season Bloomers cutter removes 2”-3” of soil. The bed will • Mow existing vegetation. weeding or light tilling using a hoe or be lower than the adjacent soil. • Till soil. similar tool. D Culver’s Root * Veronicastrum virginicum 6 3’-6’ 18" White • Till soil using a roto-tiller or other • Rake out remaining vegetation and • Mulch after planting (recommended). E Pale Purple Coneflower Echinacea pallida 7 3’-5’ 1‘ Purple implement (optional). roots to prevent them from re-growing. Note: Always read and follow the F Prairie Blazingstar * Liatris pycnostachya 6 3’-5’ 6"-1‘ Purple • Mulch after planting to conserve • Mulch after planting (recommended). manufacturer’s herbicide label. Plant plugs, G Wild Bergamot * Monarda fistulosa 5 2’-3’ 1‘ Pink moisture and discourage weeds If considerable weed pressure is potted plants, and bare root stock after (recommended). anticipated, additional tilling may be waiting the time indicated. Late Season Bloomers Vegetation can be planted immediately. required to eliminate weeds that may Avoid use of pesticides toxic to pollinators. H New England Aster * Symphyotrichum 2 3’-6’ 1'-18" Purple However, roots and seed capable of germinate from the existing seed- Contact your local Extension office for novae-angliae sprouting a new crop of weeds can persist bank or grow from roots remaining in more information. in the soil. If weeds regrow, pull weeds or the soil. Lightly till the soil 2-3 times, I Rattlesnake Master * Eryngium yuccifolium 5 3’-5’ 1‘ White lightly till using a hoe or similar tool. approximately 1 week apart before Where to Find Native J Rosinweed * Silphium integrifolium 2 2’-6’ 2‘ Yellow planting, if needed.