Escape the Ordinary: How to Create an Outdoor Destination in Your Backyard
Spring is just around the corner and this means butterflies will soon be returning to the area looking for the perfect spot to live and lay their eggs. Planting pollinator and nectar species of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals is a great way to make sure these beautiful creatures visit your garden this season. From a large pollinator border to a small container, planting just a few select species can bring them flitting your way!
WOODY SHRUBS:
Glossy Abelia
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
Ligustrum ( Japanese Privet)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Weigela
Spirea
Lilac
Duetzia
Campsis (Trumpet Vine)
PERENNIALS:
Achillea (Yarrow)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Aster
Chrysanthemum (Shasta Daisy)
Dianthus (Carnation)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Eupatorium (Joe-Pye weed)
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Hemerocallis (Daylilies)
Lavender
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Liatris
Coreopsis
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Phlox
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Sedum
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Verbena
ANNUALS & TENDER PERENNIALS:
Heliotrope
Lantana
Rosemary
Marigolds
Petunias
Geraniums
Snapdragons
Portulaca
Zinnias
Allysum
Fucshia
Vinca
Balsam
Dahlia
Impatiens
Salvia
Verbena
Cosmos
PREPARING GARDEN BEDS for PLANTING:
Once the ground is workable, remove winter mulch and till the soil to remove winter weeds and debris.
Test the pH of your soil.
Lime may be added to your planting beds and gardens where the pH needs to be raised. Or. Lower the pH by incorporating Sulphur.
Enrich the soil with conditioners such as Bumper Crop, composted leaves, or humus to your existing soil. These products will add organic matter, improve drainage and lighten the soil so that plants can get established and thrive.
Lightly rake to prepare a smooth soil surface. Uniformly rake Preen, Preen n Green or Corn Gluten into the top 1-2 inches of the soil to help keep the weeds at bay.
Edge your beds, or garden then finish with mulch.
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