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Make a Native Pollinator Garden

Richland Pest & Bee has completed the Pollinator Awareness certification through the National Pest Management Association. Chemicals applied professionally by Richland Pest & Bee are aligned with preserving pollinator habitats. 

Whenever possible, we try to focus on repelling and preventing bees as opposed to eliminating them. 

Creating a garden out of native plants is a great way to provide a sanctuary for local pollinators. You can attract honeybees, bumble bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your property by planting flowering perennials that provide food and a resting place for these important creatures. 

Take a look at the guide we’ve put together below highlighting some of the beautiful native plants available throughout CT. Choose one or several of your favorites that will thrive in your garden to get your pollinator garden started this year!

wild red columbine flower

Wild Red Columbine

(Aquilegia canadensis)
This plant, along with many red flowers, attracts hummingbirds. Columbine is known to reseed itself in the garden, but this will not spread so much to be a nuisance. It will grow in most soils except when very acidic.
1-2' tall • Full or partial sun • Zones 3-9 • Average to moist soil

bearberry flower

Bearberry

(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
A ground cover with glossy and evergreen leaves. Late spring blooms of small pink or white flowers are followed by bright red berries which attract birds. In winter, the stems turn red and the leaves take on a dark red tint.
4” tall • Full or partial sun • Zones 2-6 • Dry to average soil

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger

(Asarum canadense)
A tolerant plant that makes good ground cover. The roots smell faintly of ginger although this plant is not related to ginger used in cooking. It has small triangular flowers that bloom just above the ground in the spring.
6” tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 3-8 • Dry to moist soil

butterfly weed flower

Butterfly Weed

(Asclepias tuberosa)
This plant is extremely well known for attracting butterflies. It blooms with bright orange flowers on dark green foliage in July and August. It is highly drought resistant but it’s long tap root makes it tricky to transplant when mature.
2-3' tall • Full sun • Zones 3-9 • Dry to average soil

white wood aster flower

White Wood Aster

(Aster divaricatus)
Ground cover that thrives in dry shade. Great for planting under shallow-rooted trees like maples or elms. Small, white, long-lasting flowers that may bloom for up to 2 months.
1.5-2' tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 4-8 • Dry to average soil

New England Aster

New England Aster

(Aster novae-angliae)
The New England Aster is considered one of the best plants for gardens. It is tall so is best placed in the back of the garden. The lovely purple flowers bloom in the fall and resemble daisies. They attract a number of local pollinators.
3-5' tall • Full or partial sun • Zones 3-9 • Average to wet soil

marsh marigold flower

Marsh Marigold

(Caltha palustris)
Grows in shallow water or marshy soil in the wild, but will also grow in moist garden soil. Bright yellow flowers bloom in mid-spring, and the plant goes dormant by mid-summer. Makes a good companion plant for ferns.
1' tall • Full or partial sun • Zones 2-7 • Wet soil or water up to 4” deep

wild geranium flower

Wild Geranium

(Geranium maculatum)
Wild Geranium will spread slowly when planted in moist soil. It has soft, lavender flowers in the springtime with distinctive, deep cut foliage. The foliage provides a nice decorative effect even when the plant is not in bloom.
1-2' tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 3-9 • Moist, acidic soil

cardinal flower

Cardinal Flower

(Lobelia Cardinalis)
Cardinal flowers grow in sunny swamps in the wild, but will also grow in moist garden soil if provided with partial shade. Bright red blooms arrive in mid to late summer and are a favorite of hummingbirds.
3' tall • Full or partial sun • Zones 3-9 • Moist soil in sun, wet soil in shade

bloodroot

Bloodroot

(Sanguinaria canadensis)
One of the earliest signs of spring, white flowers appear in March. A broad leaf wraps around each flower stalk. Bloodroot will go dormant in mid-summer, so it makes a good companion plant for ferns which will fill in the gaps in late spring.
6” tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 3-8 • Average to moist soil

wild blue phlox

Wild Blue Phlox

(Phlox divaricata)
Spring blooms of lilac colored flowers are lightly scented. The blooms grow in clusters and each individual petal is notched at the tip and pinched where it meets the center of the flower. Considered a great plant for gardens.
1' tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 3-8 • Average to moist soil

foamflower

foam flower

(Tiarella cordifolia)
Soft green leaves with spikes of fluffy white flowers bloom in late spring. If it is kept consistently moist, it will continue to produce the occasional bloom until frost. Can also be used as a ground cover because it spreads by stolons.
8-12” tall • Partial sun or shade • Zones 3-8 • Average to moist soil

If you have a stinging insect problem, call Richland Pest & Bee Control at 1-800-308-9126. We’ll inspect your property, locate the nest or hive and identify the species. Our trained professionals can offer solutions for safely relocating honey bees to help protect beneficial pollinators and eliminate dangerous pests like hornets or wasps, leaving you with a safe home environment.

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