Cultivating an Abundant Garden and a Thriving Ecosystem Can Be Easy
For many gardeners, the goal for the landscape is to create a productive space that is teeming with life.
Many of us are planting to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
The process of creating a pollinator-friendly garden puts us more in touch with nature and can expand our connection to the garden.
“Interest in pollinators is part of a growing trend we call The Garden of Abundance,” says Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at NGB member Monrovia.
“This trend focuses on more than just pollinators. We are seeing an increased interest in soil heath, doing good for the environment, and creating a space that is our very own Garden of Eden.”
Adding Edibles
There are less rules with this trend, as more wild landscapes, and meadow-like designs gain popularity. We are welcoming pollinators into the garden with plants that offer food sources and structure. But it’s not just about the bees. We’re also adding to the garden’s productivity by planting edibles next to shrubs and perennials.
“An abundant garden also invites people as well as pollinators into the space,” adds Tamony. “Edible perennials, trees and herbs such as figs, blueberries and rosemary add beautiful foliage and texture for the eye as well as being a food source.”
Adding Diversity
Gardeners interested in this trend may be considering native plant varieties, mentions Tamony. “What we have found in our research is that when gardeners talk about native plants, they may really be searching for plants that work for their climate. An abundant garden is about creating biodiversity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about climate-appropriate plants and the different benefits they add to the garden,” she adds.
“An abundant garden has a diverse mix of plants. Truly native varieties can be mixed in with other climate appropriate cultivars and non-native plants to create a beautiful space that attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.”
Perfect Plants for the Abundant Garden
Perennials
Coneflowers
Evolution™ Colorific™ Coneflower is a pollinator magnet that brings beautiful multi-colored blooms to the garden. The blooms do double duty in the garden providing a food source for pollinators, while the center cones offer a large landing pad for them.
Cuphea
Hummingbird’s Lunch Cuphea brings more than just hummingbirds to the garden, bees and butterflies love it too!
Agastache
Pink Pearl Agastache features tall spikes of beautiful, dainty flowers pollinators love.
Lavender
Javelin Forte™ Deep Purple Spanish Lavender brings great fragrance to the garden with large purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Shrubs
When creating a pollinator garden, don’t forget about shrubs. In addition to being a great food source, they can provide structure for pollinator habitat.
Caryopertis
La Barbe Bleue™ Bluebeard is a low-water, easy-care, and pollinator-friendly shrub that is a perfect addition to pollinator gardens.
Viburnum
Sparkler® Arrowwood Viburnum provides structure for pollinator habitat and blue-black berries birds love.
Edibles
Mixing in edible plants makes the space even more productive and abundant.
Blueberries
Bountiful™ Delight Blueberry does double duty in the garden, providing beautiful foliage and delicious berries. Bountiful Delight can take on extreme heat while producing aromatic, sweet berries. Live in a cooler climate? Choose Bountiful Blue® Blueberry. With beautiful foliage and a compact habit, both creates a stunning shrub and work in a container too.
Herbs
Tuscan Blue Rosemary – brings scent and texture to the garden and provides a wonderful addition to culinary activities. Beautiful, clear blue flowers add to its charm.
Written by NGB Member Monrovia
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