Pollinator Garden Pattern No. 5

Overview

Texture, color and the Autumn season seem to work well together.  This team of plants contributes to those needs in the garden. First the Sporobolus. This native grass begins active growth in early May and has very narrow, gentle, arching foliage up to and including its flowering period. The flowering stems and flowers are super. About 2 feet long, open and arching topped by loose panicles of flowers. So far too nice! The foliage turns golden yellow beginning in mid-September. Add to that the in late August the narrow, golden flowers of the Solidago mingling with the Sporobolus foliage ending in late September with the blue daisy flowers of the Aster. The flowers lasting through October. Having this plant pattern you’ll find areas in the garden to bring your planting into Autumn.

Stewardship

None of these plants need any dead heading. They all flower late and their fading flowers create beautiful seed heads long into winter. Their foliage emerges a little later in spring so they provide a good opportunity for bulb plantings. Don’t use the big hybrid tulips or daffodils their foliage gets to large and covers up the developing perennials. Use species bulbs they are more communal. They share garden space.     In March everything can be cut back with a string trimmer. Start cutting the plants from the top to the bottom, about 3 inches from the ground.  Then you can mow everything with a mulching mower breaking the remnant plant material into smaller pieces.  There’s your mulch!!    

Plants are very healthy living in their own seasonal cycle of vegetational change.   

*These garden plans can be followed explicitly or adjusted to meet individual needs, unlocking rich perennial landscape designs for individualization and creativity.