Pollinator Garden

We at Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping in Oak Ridge, TN are proud to be a part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC).  The MPGC is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats & other pollinators across America.  We are encouraging you to come outdoors and make a connection between pollinators and the healthy food that people eat.  Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day.

While there are many reasons for pollinators recent decline, we do know that more nectar & pollen sources provided by more flowering plants will help improve their health and numbers.  Every household, business, community and school can provide food & habitat for pollinators.

There are 3 simple steps to the challenge.

STEP 1 – Make plans to plant something for pollinators this Spring!

A good pollinator garden should:

  • Use plants that provide nectar and pollen sources (see list below).
  • Provide a water source (shallow saucers filled with sand and water).
  • Be situated in sunny areas with wind breaks.
  • Create large “pollinator targets” (mass planting of nectar/pollen sources).
  • Establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season.
  • Eliminate or minimize the impact of pesticides.

Some of the best plants to use are Aster, Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Coneflower, Herbs, Hyssop, Lantana, Liatris, Marigold, Salvia, Verbena and Zinnia.

STEP 2 – Register Your Garden

Register at MillionPollinatorGardens.org and then add a photo of your garden to the S.H.A.R.E. map.  Anyone can join in the campaign to reach one million sites for pollinators.

STEP 3 – Spread the word & get others to join in.

To keep the challenge growing, invite others to your garden.  Talk to everyone about the importance of pollinators and how they too can help!

We carry all the annuals and perennials on the plant list above and shallow saucers  for the water source.   We also carry Native Bee Habitats & Insect “Hotels” that will provide homes for your pollinators.  Join us for gardening advice & future events we will be hosting on Pollinators.  Plant a Pollinator Garden this year!  Any size is great from window and patio planters to full blown flower gardens.

Join the movement! #polliNATION – www.millionpollinatorgardens.org