The Pollinator Garden is a coordinated collection of California native plants focused on providing pollen and nectar for native bees and other pollinators throughout most of the year. With a long bloom season, this plant palette also provides beauty and color to enjoy in the garden every day.
For maximum use by native pollinators, locate pollinator-focused plantings in full sun, which is preferred by native bees, who are most active in warm conditions. Be sure to leave at least some soil un-mulched, because many native pollinators create their nests in open soil. For maximum pollinator support, leave some logs and/or branches around the planting, because other native bees will make their nests in old dry wood. Be careful with this last part if you live in an area with fire concerns. Termites may also be attracted to old dry wood, but neither I nor any of the other habitat gardeners I know have had an issue with this. If you are concerned, feel free to either omit the old wood from your landscape, or keep a close eye on things.
This plant palette is available as an option for the Waterwise Community Center's Landscape Design Assistance Program. Visit cbwcd.org/desgin for more details.
An online resource for you to learn about and choose the best plants for your inland Southern California landscape.
Promoting water conservation through education, stormwater capture, waterwise landscapes, and other initiatives.
We provide programs, services, and resources to serve audiences of all ages to cultivate a community-wide conservation ethic and build regional capacity for water resilience.
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