What if your landscape didn’t just look good, but also created an abundance of good? Pollinator gardens can do just that for HOA neighborhoods and commercial properties.
A pollinator garden is a designated area meant to attract and support bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. These spaces produce unique blooms and greenery while nourishing the helpful insects that naturally perpetuate flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
With more of us focused on sustainability and community involvement, pollinator gardens are more popular than ever. But to join in on this eco-friendly landscape trend, you need to know your region’s best plants for attracting pollinators. A few examples of premier pollinator-friendly landscapes will paint a clearer picture for you, too.
In this article, we’ll provide that, along with ways to overcome objections to pollinator gardens, regulations, and insights from a Yellowstone Landscape designer.
Pollinator gardens elevate curb appeal and outdoor functionality to new heights in the most natural way. These garden areas use native plants to attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Food and shelter for these beneficial insects are also provided by pollinator-friendly landscaping.
It’s a perfect example of Mother Nature’s reciprocal system. When pollinators have good habitats, they can do their jobs more effectively.
Their job involves the following:
Each type of pollinator has a “specialty.” For example, hummingbirds' beaks are designed to gather nectar from deep within flower blooms. Bats are ideal for pollinating flowers that bloom at night (bats also help rid properties of annoying pests like flies and gnats).
While attractive creatures like butterflies and honeybees are what most people envision, pollinator plants attract other beneficial wildlife. A diverse array of native plants can help birds, insects, and small mammals thrive.
This leads to positive outcomes like:
Now it’s time to find the right pollinator plants for the right place.
We’ll show you the best native plants (and their unique features) for each of the following four regions:
Prairie Blazing Star: Features tall spikes, pink and purple blooms, nectar, and pollen from mid-summer to fall. Attracts monarch butterflies, bees, and moths. It’s also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant with dramatic visuals.
Coneflower: Produces big purple blooms, appeals to bees and butterflies, and produces seed heads for beneficial birds. This plant thrives in prairies, supporting many wildlife species.
Asters: Features unique late-season blooms that provide vital nectar for bees and butterflies. A biodiverse perk is helping pollinator survival at the end of the growing season.
Milkweed: Best known for being a haven for monarch caterpillars, but its nectar is also a magnet for native bees, honey bees, and various butterfly species. Deep roots offer drought tolerance and replenish the soil. Milkweed also supports a diverse food web.
Coreopsis: Features daisy-like blooms that lure 42+ pollinator species, including beetles. Blooms are long-lasting, plus the plants hold up to drought and deer. This pollinator plant invites beneficial insects and adapts to various soil types.
Bee Balm: Produces bursts of reds and pinks that welcome hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies. Its nicely-scented leaves are used in herbal remedies. A biodiverse benefit is continuous nectar production throughout summer.
Desert Marigold: Showcases brilliant yellow blooms, is nectar-rich, and attracts bees and butterflies from spring to fall. An array of birdlife feeds off the seeds. The Desert marigold is also beloved for its low-maintenance and ability to thrive without much moisture.
Blackfoot Daisy: Features compact, white-flowers that lure amazing butterflies, bees, and songbirds. This native Southwest pollinator plant is ideal for arid, rocky soil.
Salvia: Its unmistakable long-tubed flowers serve up nectar for honeybees, Southwestern bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its blooms range from blue to purple and red to pink. Great for reducing pesticide use due to the balance it brings to commercial landscapes compared to exotic plants that offer no food to native pollinators.
Penstemon: Features stately spikes of white-to-pink blooms with reddish leaves. A favorite for butterflies and interesting moths. A big upside for biodiversity is the ability to host moth larvae while keeping its foliage year-round.
Wild Bergamot: Its pale-purple blooms and aromatic leaves are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This Mid-Atlantic pollinator plant has a long bloom period that supports diverse bee populations.
Coreopsis: Popular for its golden blooms, this low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant supports Mid-Atlantic ecosystems naturally without wasting resources or added labor.
A picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to pollinator gardens. So, let’s have a look in the next section.
As you can see from the photos below, pollinator gardens are lovely additions to commercial properties. They raise the bar for curb appeal and bring a property to life! The photos also help overcome pollinator-friendly landscaping objections we’ll discuss in a moment.
The case studies above are great examples from Yellowstone Landscape’s portfolio. They show what’s possible when systems, created by nature, are utilized in green spaces. Possibilities include:
Furthermore, when unique creatures are fluttering around pollinator gardens, it restores a sense of wonder for residents, tenants, and visitors. Not to mention how these gardens invite people to use outdoor areas more.
Are there specific trends with pollinator gardens?
Beekeeping is one of the top trending outdoor activities. One reason is that Americans have seen the value in protecting and enhancing the environment that produces our food. The connection between nature and what we put in our bodies has been made clear.
Bees are now seen as a key part of the puzzle.
Many tenants say beehives make their home more memorable. That’s especially true when combined with other natural landscape features like green roofs and living walls. Don’t forget the good PR through a thriving beekeeping program.
And in HOA communities, beehives offer plenty of ways for neighbors to connect on a common hobby. The best part? Most residents would say the free honey! It’s all-natural, and they had a hand in its creation.
There are safety guidelines to consider, of course, with beekeeping and pollinator gardens.
Below are general guidelines for beehives. Keep in mind—every state, county, and city has varying beekeeping regulations.
Closely rivalling the beekeeping trend are commercial vegetable gardens. Residents and employees are more focused on their health than ever, especially younger generations. So, installing a community garden is an opportunity to grow fresh produce and herbs as a perk.
The extra benefits are numerous. There’s satisfaction for people having grown their own food, stress relief via gardening, and physical activity outside. Some people, with large community gardens, even share harvests with local food banks. Other edible garden produce is used in dishes at on-site cafes at commercial properties.
Finally, with outdoor classrooms becoming popular, commercial vegetable gardens are a good field trip idea for schools. Children can learn in a hands-on environment and bridge the generational gap in active adult neighborhoods. Kids also see how food is grown, why sustainability matters, and learn to identify plant species.
There are vital steps to installing pollinator gardens and other natural habitats, so let’s break them down.
Step one is getting stakeholders to “buy in” to the project. We recommend starting by using the benefits of pollinator gardens and the beneficial living creatures we discussed. You can also talk about lowering water bills, reducing mowing, and LEED landscaping ideas.
Tour the property to spot good locations (e.g., struggling lawns or isolated corners) and show stakeholders photos of impressive pollinator spaces.
Step two is plant selection. Yellowstone Landscape clients often tell us that our certified horticulturalists give them great plant options that last longer. Ask for expert guidance on pollinator plants and space size options. Even small spaces add biodiversity and show eco-friendliness. Mix in evergreen groundcover or tall grasses for winter interest.
The third step is handling budget concerns by focusing on problem areas. Use pollinator plants to replace poor-performing plants that require excessive amounts of water. Extend this area over time and look for rebates and grants incentivizing pollinator-friendly landscaping.
Next, talk about maintenance adjustments with your landscape company. Ensure crews know which native areas should not be trimmed or mowed. Reduce sprinkler zones and run time since native plantings are less water-dependent. Remember to plan for seasonal tasks, as pollinator gardens have different protocols.
The fifth step is installing clear signage. It protects plants and pollinators, while educating people about why this green space is not like other areas of your landscape. A helpful informational sign can prevent complaints about the crews who are doing their job correctly by not cutting back pollinator greenery.
If you want to avoid mistakes with pollinator gardens, partner with Yellowstone Landscape. We’ve been installing and maintaining these gardens for over a decade. With our expertise, you can have a tailored plan to fit your specific property.
And you’ll avoid maintenance worries. Our teams are trained on how to balance proper care of pollinator plants while still keeping them tidy.
The next section covers company-wide initiatives.
Pollinator green spaces are ideal ways for companies to reach sustainability goals. One of those goals is often LEED Certification—a designation showing a building’s commitment to healthier spaces, lower costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.
LEED points are gained via pollinator gardens’ natural benefits, including habitat creation, stormwater management, and reducing heat-island effects. Ultimately, property owners benefit through lower water bills, reduced carbon emissions, and healthier outdoor spaces for their people.
What about your ESG (environmental, social, governance) goals? Installing pollinator gardens checks those boxes, too.
Finally, understand that there will be some objections. So be ready.
There are legitimate objections to pollinator gardens, despite the countless benefits.
Three objections you might hear or have yourself are:
At Yellowstone Landscape, we listen to client concerns. And we do our best to relieve the ones we can. So, taking the objections above, here are proven solutions.
To avoid a messy look, curated layouts, clear signage, and proper plant groupings help tremendously.
A good way to get your HOA board’s approval is to present solid case studies (like the ones from our portfolio above). It may help to have an underutilized space in mind with a landscape designer’s rendering (Yellowstone maintenance clients get the benefit of our complementary design services when we perform the installation).
The third objection may be the simplest to overcome. Automated drip irrigation and low-care plants reduce labor and water waste.
Now you have all the information you need about adding a pollinator garden to your property. We listed ideal native plants by region in four different parts of the U.S., talked about LEED goals, and discussed why pollinator plants are vital to the environment.
Are these types of green spaces ideal for every property? Not if it goes against the “right plant, right place” philosophy. Some properties just aren’t a fit, despite the appeal of unique blooms attracting amazing butterflies and honeybees. But for locations that are a fit, what could be better?
If you would like more information before making a decision, we’re here to provide additional details based on your exact needs and property type. Contact Yellowstone Landscape today.
Q: What’s a unique way to address client concerns about maintenance and aesthetics of pollinator gardens?
A: One of our customers used a local artist to create hand-painted signage. It was visually appealing, while still educating people about the different look of pollinator gardens.
Q: What is one little-known factor that might persuade an HOA board to approve a pollinator garden?
A: I’ve seen HOA boards allow them after reading a report from their county’s extension office showing how the entire landscape benefits from biodiverse plantings and pollinators.
Q: Have any clients incorporated beekeeping or vegetable gardens? What were the outcomes?
A: We recently helped a client install some raised beds for a rooftop garden next to their on-site cafe. It’s a nice conversation piece that also provides some vegetables and herbs to the cafe.