Pollinator Bed 2025

Planting Plan 

Sundial Lupine- spring sow16 and start 16 indoors 

Butterfly Weed- fall sow and start 12 indoors

Cornflower- use up leftover seeds 

Milkweed- fall sow

Spotted Bee Balm- 12- indoors ONLY

Broadcast sow Rudbeckia and Purple Coneflower over the rest of the area

*Reserve some seeds for late summer indoor starting with early fall planting

The wildflower/ pollinator bed has been pretty successful. Mostly good looking and low maintenance. The town mowing guys seem to get what I'm going for here and as long as I beat them to the first mow to establish my border, it seems to work out fine. I don't think I need to stake and twine to show them that I'm growing stuff here. I think it is a good size, no need to make it deeper and it really fills in the top of the space before it falls off into the ditch.

Now that the space is established all the way across, it's time to take stock. Hopefully, in spring 2025, I will continue the Forsythia hedge across to meet by Zenner Road. This will give a little privacy from River Road, and also make a little shaded lawn area and an opportunity to plant against the Forsythias as well, sometime in the future. Perhaps more hosta divisions or other shady flowers in a little border that is nice to look at from the house.

The idea to use the Eastern mix to easily plant wildflowers was good. But it did not look as good the second year. The Rudbeckia was out competed by the taller, and not as showy species. And a single random tall Evening Primrose, looked weird. 

So new plan.  Focus on a few primary plants that will look good: Black Eyed Susan (hirta) the shorter, more showy rudbeckia and Purple Coneflower. These don't grow too tall and give a long show. Broadcast these in the majority of the space in the front. (see planting plan above) Obviously the Lupine as well, esp. as it is an early bloom, not giving up on the lupine! This year I should get some sand and amend the center part of the bed with sandier soil and see if that helps it do better. Also, more consistent watering in the spring!

Also try to re-establish the Black Eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower in the original bed quickly with seeds started over winter and also again in late summer for fall planting. You could start 72 of each (72 Black Eyed Susan and 72 Purple Coneflower= 144 plants) and have plenty of room on the seed starting shelves. It is going to cost a little to pot them up. And it is a lot of planting in the end of September, but that should be easier with the drill and the garden auger. In the fall, pull out whatever looks like weeds, and auger in the seedlings in the Existing Eastern Pollinator space. 

Start seeds inside the end of July for end of September planting out. *Cold stratify! Even though I had good luck without last year and still got good germination.

Then also create areas with some other native flowers that are good for pollinators. These are going to be taller, and not as showy. But I am interested in growing: Butterfly Weed, Cornflower, Milkweed and Spotted Bee Balm.

Pearly Everlasting and Lemon Bee Balm- wait til 2026, difficulty getting seeds

Very interested in the Spotted Bee Balm which is short (2 feet) and Butterfly Weed, which is a milkweed for drier locations and is a host plant for the monarch butterfly. It also only grows 2 feet tall.  Just using up the cornflower because I have the seeds. It'll probably be the most successful! 

After a year or two of this, see what is doing well. If some of the other natives are thriving, continue with those. 

Planted right before the New Year. The time really got away from me this fall. Just put everything away for the season and sowed the wildflower seeds. Use four bags of Coast of Maine compost spread around, sowed the seeds and used the rolling spike thing to get some ground contact.  Red reflector in the middle, butterfly weed on one side and cornflower on the other. Mix of rudbeckia and coneflower on each side.