Grading my Pollinator Garden - Which Plants Earned an A+ This Season?

[@GardenMoxie]

Happy Autumn. I've working to create a pollinator garden that looks good all season. No easy task. I thought it would be helpful to show the pollinator garden through the entire growing season to see the challenge of having such a large space look presentable from May until October and into Winter. My garden is Zone 6A in southeast Michigan, USA. The garden in this video is 2 years old and needs continued refinement. It is a fun project! I'm replacing the native bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) with Amsonia hubrichtii 'Butterscotch' this week. The Amsonia is a great season-long performer. I've also decided the zinnias used were too talll for this space and I will focus on shorter zinnias for next season. I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks for being here.

[@HookedandRooted]

Hi Sue! Your pollinator garden is lovely! You've done a beautiful job. I also love the penstamon. My suggestions would be to add some bright pink taller phlox in the area where you had the bee balm. If you add more bee balm, the Jacob Cline is a great option since it's a deeper magenta which i feel could bring some more brightness to that space. And Veronicastrum, very tall veronica could also look great there. Lastly I would suggest Joe Pye Weed. A darker foliage variety 'chocolate' (Eupatorium rugosum chocolate), and the little Joe which is a traditional variety with large heads of pinkish/purple blooms which a great for late season color. Oh and asters! Some beautiful purple varieties. I recently added Monch Frikart and its really pretty. Thanks for sharing this video. It was great.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Steph. Thanks for all the awesome recommendations!

[@connieritchie5106]

Cinnamon basil is a huge pollinator attractor. I grew them from seed to add to bouquets. The plants flourished, and formed beautiful , huge clumps that shone from a distance and have been steadily covered with bees the entire season. They just can’t seem to get enough of it. First time planting. I will be growing again from seed and highly recommend!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the recommendation. That also sounds like a plant that should do well with the deer. Another great suggestion to add to my list. Thanks so much.

[@claireloveyourvideosdebor6580]

Love the “through the seasons” tour. For zinnias, I recommend the Dreamland series. They stay shorter and bushier than other types. Mine got to 2 1/2 to almost 3 feet and are still going strong. I think you can get seeds for them. Claire

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Claire and thanks so much for sharing the zinnia recommendation. I think a shorter variety might be a good pick for the end of the pollinator garden. Thanks for watching.

[@marciawright2600]

I am in zone 6a and my asters, black eye susan's, celone (turtle heads), anemones, pincushion, caryopteris, are all still blooming. They great flowers for late summer/fall when most others are fading. BTW. I cut my bee balm all the way back mid summer and it is blooming again now! I am getting a second flush of lavender, perennial Salvia. Joe pie weed, and bergamot are also wonderful in a pollinator garden!

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks for watching. I want to get some of the pink-blooming turtle heads. They are great late season bloomers, aren't they? It sounds like you had great luck cutting back your plants to get a second flush of flowers. I wish the deer didn't eat the cranesbill 'Rozanne'. That is a good season-long plant that stays a bit shorter. The deer absolute devour it in my garden unfortunately. Thank you for your recommendations.

[@PeggyMills]

I so love this garden, Sue. I love the penstemon too, and I give it an A+ for propagation as well. I’m currently rooting one in water. It had roots very quickly. I suggest chocolate Joe Pye weed. It has lovely dark foliage with a white bloom. It’s pretty even when not in bloom. Any of the Joe Pyes really attract the pollinators.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you for the suggestion Peggy and thanks for the tip about propagating penstemon.

[@themoonlitfrog]

I love your interest in a pollinator garden. The plant that i've noticed the most pollinators on was purple liatris. There's also a white liatris variety, which you may prefer, I just happen to shy away from white. It's a spring bulb for summer interest I purchased in the spring at Lowes, and the pollinators, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds can't seem get enough. As it dries in the fall and winter, it provides an abundance of seeds for chickadees and other birds that remain for the winter, to forage on. The second recommendation is a Blue Caryopteris. I have never seen so many pollinators on a single shrub while it's in bloom in my life, and it's a welcomed new addition to my garden. Best wishes on your garden, i always enjoy watching your videos.❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks for being here. I love the suggestions too. I have also seen the Blue Caryopteris covered with pollinators. That is another great idea.

[@angelabromley3712]

Liatris, sedum and there tons of salvia's. Also lavender and other herbs. There's also a dark fennel i want to try, good for larvae.

[@susandenniscook9271]

Your pollinator garden is spectacular Sue! It’s hard to believe it’s only been in such a short time.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi there and thank you!! I appreciate the words of encouragement.

[@CherylBelczak]

Hi Sue! Your garden is beautiful! Love this video concept. I'm in zone 6a too (Western NY). I just added a small Calamintha nepeta in August and it's still flowering happily and the pollinators love it. So looking forward to it filling out like yours! My A+ plant suggestion is Coreopsis verticilata 'Moonbeam.' It is slow to emerge in the spring, but it started flowering in July and still going now in mid-October with no deadheading. 'Moonbean' has loads of soft yellow colored flowers in a mound of fine textured foliage. I think it's beautiful on the edge of garden beds. Enjoy your wintering/planning season. Wishing you many blooms next year. 🌱

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your recommendations. My Calamintha nepeta took a season to fill out, but now it is amazing. It's probably the plant the pollinators like best in my garden based on visitors. Moonbeam is a beautiful plant. I love the color of the flowers and the foliage is a great texture. Great suggestions.

[@urchinsushi2041]

I have very few perennials in my garden - but my prize 🏆 goes to Shoal creek vitex, which I’ve trained into a tree - it blooms for nearly two months, then I dead head wait a few weeks then get another couple of months of blooms - SO many pollinators including hummingbirds (you can check out my short shoal creek vitex video, but I’ve been too lazy to make more videos haha) - 2nd place goes to Windy Hill buddleia which also has super sturdy stems, beautiful foliage and similar blooming times - I love your midnight masquerade I will have to try that one!!! 🙏 thanks for all your great content, I’m in zone 7A/7B in northern VA

[@GardenMoxie]

Oh my goodness! I was not familiar with your recommendation and just looked it up online. Hold smokes that is a beauty! Thanks for the recommendations. Thanks so much for being here.

[@pamelacorsi]

Heliopsis "Bleeding Hearts" is a tall dark leafed perennial, covered in flowers from May to October. The flowers change color from red to dark orange to a lighter shade. Im. not sure if I saw Agastache "Blue Fortune" in your garden but you would love it. I leave my Bee Balm up because love how the seed heads look in the snow in the winter. You garden is beautiful!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I just checked out that heliopsis recommendation and it is a stunner! Wow! What color. I have added the 'Blue Fortune' from another place in my garden. I think that will be a great addition to the pollinator garden too. I have a new home for the bee balm so it will still be here for the bees and birds.

[@kimberlyhughes9826]

I love Calamintha. I just added more to my part sun section. It doesn't bloom as well as yours, but it gets loaded with pollinators. Ooooohh the white Gaura! Love it! My pink did well this year in pots.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching. I am totally smitten with that white blooming gaura too. Such a great plant. I love how it moves in the wind don't you?

[@warp9p659]

I'd give you entire pollinator garden an A+. It's absolutely stunning!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

[@theawesomepersonchuney9742]

Black eyed Susan is still blooming ( I’m zone 6a ) red hot poker just stopped blooming , nasturtium is still looking great. We haven’t had a frost but it’s getting pretty close at night. I also have that pentstimum also & I love it.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi and thanks for watching. The deer have eaten all my black eyed susans here. Such a shame. I love those plants too. Nasturtium is a great suggestion for the front and edges of the border. A friend is going to share some red hot poker so I am excited to see how that does too. I think it looks great when it flowers and it has interesting foliage as well.

[@dustyflats3832]

July is definitely fireworks time for flowers. Gomphrena was the A+ this year. Roses are Autumn Joy sedum also A+. The hollyhocks and lavender bee balm get an F-Rust and mildew. Trying two new bee balm and we will see-annual bee balm was better. Zinnias that are planted close together tend to be tall with smaller bloom-try farther apart and pinch them. One year I had a couple that had a lot of room and at a distance they looked like rose shrubs. And marigolds I will never have to plant again and right now busy clipping them out before seed drop. The bright color we enjoy and bumbles also, but if I let them all reseed we wouldn’t get inside the veg garden😂. They rank high with me because I don’t have to do anything and they show up. Blanket flower is still popping and hope to banish the variety of brown eyed Susan I have as they mildew. Salvias I’m not too excited, but love speedwells. Too early to tell on new perennials, but so far feverfew has had excellent bloom time. Many perennials are a bit weak in length of bloom time and finding coneflower to be a bit of a monster. I’m not sure if foxglove will survive in the meadow where most get banished to, but they are looking aggressive 😅. The extended season allowed brown eyed Susan vine to FINALLY do its thing-will not grow again as it would rather crawl on the ground and took forever and cup and saucer vine wasn’t very showy although it knew enough to climb😄. Hard freeze Mon-Wed and wrapping it up. The wind is Crazy all day and into the night right now. Thank you for showing the changes and what did well. I can imagine all native varieties would be difficult for blooms. I just learned today that Prairie Smoke is a Geum! It is a short plant and flower time, but they grow unattended along the driveway-tuff stuff.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi and thanks for your note. So many great bits of information. That makes complete sense that prairie smoke is a geum. The foliage is a definite match. I have to move the prairie smoke plants so they get more sunshine. I made the mistake of planting them where they are getting shaded when other plants grow. I love their crazy seed heads. They remind me of those troll dolls 😂. I also was very happy with the feverfew my Mom and I grew from seed this season. It should reseed for next year too. I will be sure to be more careful about how I planted the zinnias. I did not tend to them as I should and you can tell based on their September performance. I am in love with that Queeny Lemon Peach zinnia. What a beauty! We got a light frost a few days ago. It sounds like you are getting frost Mon-Wed. I am always sad to see it even if I love autumn. I am excited for next garden season already.

[@dustyflats3832]

@@GardenMoxie oh yes, those Prairie Smoke can take the sun/heat. I never grew Geum before and this one is totally different from others. I will check out the zinnia as I’m looking for peach, pink and white flowers for statue garden. Pursuing lillies and spring bulbs now 😅.

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

I totally agree Sue 🥰 they both look absolutely gorgeous 💞

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Jasmine. I hope all is well. Thanks for watching.

[@careygreene6730]

Your pollinator garden is such an inspiration, so beautiful through the seasons

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you!

[@amyjones2490]

Right now my single Dahlia I grew from seed is the star for pollinators. They are super easy to start and grow, and you can collect seed for next year. You may want to mix them in with your zinnia. One drawback is they do need some deadheading to keep looking their best.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the recommendation. Dahlias are so pretty too.

[@gardeningonthewestforkwith8994]

The penstimen looks so good . I was given a division of this plant let’s see how it performs in my garden. So enjoy your channel . Very informative and to the point! Your entire pollinator garden looked lovely to my eyes. Excited for next years vision!!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement. I hope that penstemon does well in your garden. I can't get over how well it did this season. I love it!

[@GardenDoodles]

Thanks! Will have get some penstemon next year.

[@GardenMoxie]

I hope you like the plant as much as I do in my garden. Thanks for watching.

[@EmeraldPawYT]

I think I you need some Joe Pye weed in there! It is a star in my garden. Looks like a shrub, has clean foliage, gives structure, bees and butterflies love it! Also nice to look at in winter and the birds love to perch in it!

[@GardenMoxie]

You are right about Joe Pye weed. I have a bunch of it that grows on the other side of my house and the pollinators and lady bugs love it. I was shocked that the deer ate one of the plants down, but after that they left it alone. This is the first season the deer touched it. another benefit. Thanks for sharing your suggestion and thanks for watching.

[@silviarojas9266]

Totally agree with you!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching!

[@JosephChamlee]

Pincushions bloom all season long as long as you deadhead the plant.

[@GardenMoxie]

I love those plants. I have a bit of trouble growing them here for some reason, but it might be time to try again. Thanks for watching.

[@SandyKH]

Hi Sue! Love your channel. I love daffodils, but they are not something for pollinators. (They are too hybridized to be helpful, sadly.) You will need some viola for early spring blooms that pollinators love. Snow drops or erantis would be better. Cow slips, primulas, and any pulmonaria bloom quite early... and can hold out to July in my garden. Geums can also bloom early, along with certain sages. Your nepeta inspires me! You might consider asters, that clump beautifully... there are some for any time of the season. I like hardy geraniums... the bees love them. Try Russian manstro for something totally different. If you want swallowtails, plant some wild carrot or fennel, or something like angelica. Consider Agastache. I think Blue Fortune is a good doer. It's really easy. A Rose of Sharon is late to get foliage, but if you choose the single flower types, nothing is easier, and bees will be buzzing from morning til night. l I am so grateful for your great information.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for sharing your recommendations. I agree with the daffodils. I plant them for the deer rather than the pollinators. I don't spray repellent and this garden is on the graze path for the neighborhood herd. But you raise a great point about early season pollinator plants that needs more thought on my end. Thanks for that. I have some bronze fennel that was filled with swallowtail caterpillars. So exciting to see them! I am not familiar with Russian manstro so I will look that up. Such great suggestions. Thank you. And thanks for watching.

[@JenniferRodriguez-jb1ox]

My white chiffon rose of sharon on a standard gets so many pollinators and even hummingbirds. Having a plant on a standard might provide some structure and winter interest. Also, what about a piece of garden art, obelisk or statue for that winter, early spring interest.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

Yes, a piece of garden art like an obelisk, a sun dial or a weather vane would be perfect.

[@urchinsushi2041]

Great suggestions!! I love my pink rose of Sharon and copper wind spinners ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

I love the idea of adding a standard for structure. I'm currently looking for a columnar form evergreen that can manage to survive the deer in my area. They are brutal.

[@JoAnnBlondin]

Such a beautiful garden Sue. That purple plant is definitely worthy of its A+ grade. Have you considered lamb's ears as part of the pollinators garden. It is such a draw for all species and is a bonus of soft grey. It does require cutting back for a second flush of flowers and for the health of the plant. So many gorgeous flowers. Your neighbors must love walking by it to see how it changes each week.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Jo and thanks so much for your kind note and for watching. Great suggestions too!

[@gardensenglishandtrivia]

Thank you for such an interesting video! My list would definitely also include Boston ivy (especially in July/August), single and double-flower roses which are rich in pollen but not in nectar, and dahlias, especially in autumn.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks for watching. You have the most gorgeous roses in your garden. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@slowdrawer]

Hi Sue 😊 after I saw this video, I watched a video from Petitti Garden Centers about hellebores and they seemed to be a great option for what you are looking for to enrich your pollinators garden. The new varieties look interesting and they are deer resistant which I know you appreciate for your front garden. Have a lovely day, I really like your content and I find your place very inspiring ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello and thanks for mentioning hellebores. I have several in my back garden and they are amazingly tough plants. They would be a great add for the very early season and would do a great job hiding dying bulb foliage too. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@lynnpurse]

I loved seeing your pollinator garden through all of the seasons Sue! It is truly beautiful and that is a great way to evaluate plants. I have Penstemon 'Dark Towers' very similar to yours with the same great habit. Love seeing your Guara too - love that plant! Agastache 'Blue Fortune' and A.x. 'Black Adder' are great insect magnets in my gardens - Blue Fortune is closer to the species, Black Adder is a cross-hybrid and hardier/more resilient and also has showier blossoms but is also covered in bees and butterflies. I always plant the single flowering Profusion zinnias in pots and in the ground as garden edging - they bloom until hard frost and don't get ratty foliage yet the bees still love them (fewer butterflies though). Have fun planning next year's garden!

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Lynn, Thanks for sharing your suggestions. I have already moved some Agastache 'Blue Fortune' into the pollinator garden. It is right in front of that clump of monarda. Next step is to move the monarda and plant Amsonia 'butterscotch'. I am definitely checking on the zinnia recommendation you made. Great idea about placing them in pots.

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Hello Sue, just catching up. Your front garden is so inspirational. May I suggest some taller varieties of salvia, such as Meigan's Magic or Black Knight. They do however flower later in the season.hat will contrast well with the White Nepeta.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and thanks for watching. Happy gardening!

[@sunitashastry5270]

The pentstemon looks gorgeous. One suggestion is hardy geraniums. They look good all season long I think - more as a plant complementing others and not as a star itself. Also lambs ear. They kind of give you a foundation on which you put your Star plants. Baptisia also looks well mostly all the time. Don’t let it grow too big - the foliage though is beautiful even now in my garden. So those are my suggestions.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you for the great recommendations and thanks for watching. Baptisia would be a good earlier-blooming plant to add to the mix for sure. Thanks for being here.

[@JanGarmon-zg9gk]

I have a variety of penstemon named Dakota Burgundy which looks very similar to yours and is still looking beautiful. I started a variety of penstemon named Mystics with the winter sowing method this year, also has beautiful dark foliage but will know more in the year to come on how this performs. You might like the Dahlias from the HS (happy single) series. The beautiful dark foliage is still looking good here in zone 6 and the bees are still all over it. This tubers on this one store very well for me compared to other varieties.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will also keep my eye peeled for the Dakota Burgandy. I am smitten with that penstemon now.

[@marshagaravaglia8149]

Lovely ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

[@rosemarythyme6351]

I agree 'Midnight Masquerade' Penstemon should get top billing! I've loved that plant since Laura of GA introduced it years ago. Do you have Tall Garden Phlox? They put on quite a show for a number of weeks. Is the white wispy plant in the front at 4:09 Agrostemma or Corncockle?

[@GardenMoxie]

I am very happy with that penstemon. The wispy plant is Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'. I'd give that plant an A+ for the season too. I love it!

[@rosemarythyme6351]

@@GardenMoxie Thank you. I love "see through" plants that dance in the wind. They add whimsy to the garden.

[@GardenMoxie]

@@rosemarythyme6351 It has the best movement when there is a breeze. You will love it.

[@emkn1479]

I haven’t had great success with penstemon in the past, but this one looks promising! I have the four line plant bug in spring and it makes everything look terrible…but I’m thinking that either it might not prefer the dark foliage, or if it does, the damage wouldn’t be as visible.

[@GardenMoxie]

It is a great plant. Thanks for your note and thanks for watching.

[@emmalavenham]

I think what would be particularly helpful is to infuse perennials in the space that have great fall color - and ideally texture AND blooms in spring - like a feathery but compact amsonia. And, add more plants with solid foliage color. Amsonia x String Theory ( chose because of its height, since it is being leveraged to tie it in to the larger landscape) Persicaria amp. Golden Arrow (blooms later than most other perennials, and is still blooming strong) Porteranthus is a plant I would also consider but likely needs a break from sun. Mt Cuba’s Pink Profusion is a particularly good selection…

[@GardenMoxie]

Wow! Thanks for the great recommendations. I am planning to add Amsonia 'Butterscotch' to the border. I won a plant in a raffle last week at my garden club.

[@emmalavenham]

@@GardenMoxie Great choice - that is I suspect a tough plant since it can be had as plugs. Please LMK if you come across a list of perennials w fall foliage …. Thanks

[@GardenMoxie]

@@emmalavenham I will keep you posted. Thank you.

[@kimdale2928]

Starry starry night hibiscus may fill the beebalm area, late bloom not super long though

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have seen some hardy hibiscus with deep purple leaves that are quite pretty as they grow. You have given me something to think about. Thanks for watching!

[@jodidann6410]

Your seasonal garden is beautiful. Please Which allium is that I love how it comes up in summer? I have great luck in zone 8 with Geum blooms from late spring thru late summer and holds its nice rounded shape mound of foliage.

[@elizabethlake6986]

Millenium

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. That is millenium allium. It's a great plant.

[@aeronadams9855]

I would swap agastache for the monarda

[@GardenMoxie]

I got some Amsonia and Agastache 'Blue Fortune'. The blue fortune is already planted. Now I just need to move the monarda and plant the amsonia.

[@BarbLomnicki]

Your gaura should also receive top marks

[@GardenMoxie]

You are right! That is such a great plant. I love it!

[@KayWolters-ok9jk]

Wonderful where are you? What state?

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you and thanks for watching. I garden in southeast Michigan zone 6A.

[@MrsB_734]

Thank you once again for sharing your garden with us. It's beautiful. We move back to T. on half acre, near M garden center, and I can't wait to start creating gardens. 🌼🪻⚘️🌹

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you for your note and thanks for watching. Yay to half an acre!