This post is sponsored by Cornelius Nursery. All photos and opinions are mine and should not be used without written permission.
My dad definitely has the green thumb in the family. Try as I might, my efforts in the garden are pretty much wasted. But I was determined to try again!
Recently, I attended a garden party at Cornelius Nursery and learned all about pollinator gardens. We had such a fun morning of getting our hands dirty and choosing which beautiful flowers were going to go home with us. I also learned a ton of helpful information that I thought I would share with you!
If you’ve ever wondered what exactly a pollinator garden is, why it’s important, or how to plant one – this post is for you!
What is a pollinator garden?
A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted predominately with flowers that provide nectar or pollen for a wide range of pollinating insects.
Why is it important?
“Pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc) are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day, and yet pollinators are at critical point in their own survival. Many reasons contribute to their recent decline. We know for certain, however, that more nectar and pollen sources provided by more flowering plants and trees will help improve their health and numbers. Increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes will help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across the country.” – Million Pollinator Gardens
How do you Create a Pollinator Garden?
- Get a large planter and cover the bottom with small rocks/pebbles (this will help with drainage).
- Pour dirt into the planter until it is almost at the top of the planter.
- Take the flowers out of their containers and break up the roots a bit. Create a large well in the dirt and place the flowers in the hole you made. Cover with the dirt. The root should all be hidden.
How do you Choose Which Flowers Will Go Well Together?
Pick flowers that have the same water and sun requirements. You’ll also want to be sure to think about where you’re going to be keeping these flowers and picking flowers that will work well in that space based on the amount of sunlight it will get.
There’s also the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” method of choosing. The “Thriller” is something tall, the “Filler” is typically a moore rounded plant that makes the container look full, and the “Spiller” is something that will hang over the sides of the planter. To read more about this, click here.
How do you Care for Your Pollinator Garden?
Watering – when the dirt is dry to the touch, water it until you start to see water seeping out the bottom
If you’d like to see more tips like this, follow me on Pinterest!
