It shouldn’t be new information that pollinators, especially bees, are having a hard time right now. There are a variety of forces, man-made and environmental, that are negatively affecting pollinator populations. Fortunately, having a pollinator-friendly garden also means having a garden that is full of bright and fragrant flowers throughout the growing season.

Why attracting pollinators is important

In the United States, up to a third of our agriculture output is dependent on pollinators. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all play a vital role in the production of healthy fruit and vegetables. They are encourage plant diversity and help maintain a healthy ecosystem.

How to create a pollinator-friendly yard

Fortunately, creating a bee and butterfly friendly yard isn’t that hard and the results are often stunning.

Planting pollinator-friendly plants

Start by planting nectar- and pollen-rich flowers. Native wildflowers are attractive to pollinators and will thrive in your area. At Native Plant Finder, you can see a selection of plants that are native to your zip code.

By planting a succession of blooming flowers and shrubs, you’ll be able to ensure that nectar and pollen are available through the growing season. Dill, fennel and milkweed are other great options for attracting butterflies.

The University of Minnesota Extension is another resource for choosing pollinator-friendly plants that will thrive in Minnesota.

Choose organic

Many pesticides and herbicides are toxic to pollinators. Even if those chemicals seem useful in the short term, it’s good to remember that they are also killing beneficial organisms when they are used. Using a more organic approach to weed and pest control is safer and more effective.

Provide shelter

Butterflies, bees and other pollinators need shelter to thrive and protect themselves from predators. Shelter can be created organically by letting your grass grow longer, or leaving leaves and other organic material undisturbed. You can also use artificial nesting boxes to increase the number of pollinators in your area.

Provide food and water

Pollinators need pollen and nectar to thrive. Consider adding special feeders to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

They also need access to still water and can benefit from birdbaths and other small pools of standing water.

Plants to attract pollinators

• Purple coneflower
• Dill
• Hollyhock
• Joe-Pye weed
• Globe centaurea
• Peony
• Turtlehead
• Swamp milkweed
• Yarrow
• Queen Anne’s lace
• Tawny daylily
• ‘Marine’ heliotrope
• Gayfeather
• Butterfly weed
• Petunia
• Mountain bluet
• Annual aster
• Autumn Joy’ sedum
• Rock cress
• French marigold
• Happy Returns’ daylily
• Blanket flower
• Nasturtium
• Goldenrod

Who says that dream getaway has to be somewhere far away? With a little planning, you can create your perfect backyard getaway and have a peaceful retreat right out your door.

We all dream of getting away to somewhere quiet and peaceful, and we all would like to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But sometimes planning even a weekend away can seem overwhelming.

Creating your perfect backyard

Everyone has different ideas of what the perfect little getaway would include. Of course, it’s pretty impossible to add a mountain or beach to your backyard, but it is possible to include elements of those locations in your landscaping design. Maybe creating a heavily shaded and secluded area will remind you of the mountains. Or maybe adding a hammock and the sound of running water will remind you of the beach.

Chat with your landscaping expert about what features would work in your backyard, and how you can create the backyard you’ve been dreaming of.

To get you started, here are some of our favorite backyard features.

Water elements

Water features come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is easy to find or create options that fit everyone’s space and budget. Water can be a beautiful addition to a backyard for a variety of reasons. It can be used to add a visual point of interest and a calming noise and at the same time, help mask any unwanted noises like nearby traffic.

Pavers

Pavers can do more than just add a walkway from one place to another. They add an interesting element to your backyard or patio area and can be used to enhance and reinforce the design theme of your space. Pavers come in so many shapes and sizes that almost any design can be created, from charmingly simple, to eye-catching and intricate.

Plants

Some people love gardening and enjoy having exotic plants or finicky in their yard. Other would rather spend their time lounging in their yard rather than working in it. No matter which you prefer, there are plenty of plant options that can be used to create the yard of your dreams. Native plants are especially useful for homeowners who want to be able to plant grasses and flowers and then forget them.