Region
Twin Cities Metro Area
City
St. Paul
Project Type(s)
Pocket Planting
Template(s) Used
Shade Garden for Pollinators (BWSR)
Site Conditions
Shade
Gardener Name
Rita
Gardener Comments
I added a large amount of compost prior to planting. The area stays moist. I found that I needed to take my time in planning and execution. I spent days preparing the site. I used all the resources Blue Thumb had to offer. Picking out the plants was hard until I found a grower that offers plant packs. I purchased a shade pollinator plant garden pack of 52 plants. They provided a template for planting. I quickly planted them in early May 2023. It was raining and cold. I then put mulch around all the plants. I cannot believe how much they have grown in a year. I already had some native plants, but now the challenge is filling my yard with all native pollinator plants. I had also used some of the grant money to install a no mow lawn in half my yard.
I have already begun to plant some native shrubs.- wild plum, elderberry, dogwoods, and sumac. My mom is an 80 year old master gardener with the love of plants and nature. We enjoy sharing plants and our stories. We are just one drop in the bucket supporting the pollinators. The project was fun, sometimes a lot of work, but well worth it. I find a great deal of joy spending time in my yard. I encourage anyone to give the program a try.
Wildlife Observed
I have some of the very small bees visiting the plants. I also notice bumblebees, honey bees, and butterflies. The birds and chipmunks love the cover in the garden. There are so many pollinator native plants the list is endless. The variety provides different plants for different pollinators.
