Photo: Land Trust.

Grow Your Own Pollinator Garden

Monarch butterflies and other native pollinators like are struggling to thrive here in Central Oregon. The good news is you can help by planting your own pollinator garden!

Questions? Contact our team!

Do you have questions, kudos, or other feedback? Let us know: info@deschuteslandtrust.org

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Monarch butterflies and other native pollinators like bees, bats, and moths play important roles in the natural world. Some pollinators—like the monarch butterfly—are struggling to thrive here in Central Oregon. The good news is you can help by planting your own pollinator garden!

Step 1: Plant milkweed to help the monarch butterfly!
Western monarch butterflies are native to Central Oregon, but their populations are in serious decline. One of the best ways to help monarchs is to plant native milkweed! We have two kinds of native milkweed in Central Oregon: showy milkweed and narrowleaf milkweed. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed only. Planting 3-6 milkweed plants (preferably a combination of showy and narrowleaf) helps provide egg-laying space and food for newly emerged caterpillars. Our native milkweed varieties:


Showy milkweed. Photo: Darlene Ashley.
Showy milkweed. Photo: Darlene Ashley.
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosaia)
Other common names: None

This native milkweed has showy rose-purple flowers in late summer. Plants grow 18-36in tall. This milkweed likes sun and medium water. It grows via rhizomes, so be careful because it will spread!

Bloom time: Summer

 

 

 

Narrowleaf milkweed. Photo: Thomas Landis.
Narrowleaf milkweed. Photo: Thomas Landis.
Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)
Other common names: Narrow-leafed milkweed, Mexican whorled milkweed

This native milkweed has narrow leaves, grows 12-36in tall, and has white-to-lavender colored flowers. Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and also spreads via rhizomes.

Bloom time: Summer-Fall

 

 

 

Step 2: Plant native pollinator-friendly blooms!
As you build your pollinator garden you’ll want to include other native plants with flowers. Pollinators like bees and butterflies sip nectar from these plants and then go and help pollinate other plants like the food we eat! Choose a variety of blooms that stretch from early spring through fall and use only native plants that haven’t been treated with neonicotinoids (often found on nursery plants and extremely harmful to pollinators). Here are some native blooms to get you started:

Wax current. Photo: Kris Kristovich.
Wax current. Photo: Kris Kristovich.
Wax Currant (Ribes cereum)
Other common names:
Western red currant

An early spring blooming shrub that grows up to six feet tall, wax currant has white or pale pink flowers that hang in clusters at the tips of its branches. It attracts a large number of native bees as well as hummingbirds. Wax currant enjoys full sun in dry to moist well-drained soil and is not tolerant of shade.

Bloom time: Spring




Munro's globemallow. Photo: Land Trust.
Munro's globemallow. Photo: Land Trust.
Munro’s Globemallow (Sphaeralcea munroana)
Other common names: Orange globe mallow

This showy native has beautiful bright orange blooms and sage-colored to dark green leaves. Grows 8-32 inches tall. It does well in dry or rocky soils, especially volcanic soils. Globemallow attracts many species of bees, including some which require pollen and nectar only from this plant!

Bloom time: Summer

 


Oregon sunshine. Photo: MA Willson.
Oregon sunshine. Photo: MA Willson.
Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)

Bright yellow mini sunflowers blanket this native. Oregon sunshine grows 4-24in tall and likes dry soils. Seeds spread easily! Attractive to butterflies, bees, moths, and beetles.

Bloom time:
Summer







Lupine. Photo: Joan Amero.
Lupine. Photo: Joan Amero.
Lupine (Lupinus genus)
Other common names: Many depending on the variety!

There are many kinds of native lupine. Plant sizes range from short, low-growing varieties that like dry soils, to tall bushes that would grow along a river. Most flowers are purple, blue, or lavender. Lupine typically grow on erect stems coming from basal leaves. Pick your favorite to complement bloom times of your other garden plants. Lupine attract butterflies and bees.

Bloom time: Summer




Snow buckwheat. Photo: Mike Lattig.
Snow buckwheat. Photo: Mike Lattig.
Snow Buckwheat (Eriogonum niveum)
Other common names: 
None

A low-growing, drought tolerant native. Snow buckwheat has sage green leaves, tall stems that are covered with white hairs, and white or light pink flowers. Flowers cover this 20 inch tall plant and provide late-season food for native bees and butterflies. Snow buckwheat enjoys rocky soils.

Bloom time:
Late Summer-Fall

 



Hoary aster. Photo: Mike Lattig.
Hoary aster. Photo: Mike Lattig.
Hoary aster (Dieteria canescens)
Other common names: None

This aster family native is covered with bright purple ray flowers. Plants grow 6-30 inches tall with diffuse branching, making them a little bushy. Hoary asters like dry soils and limited water. They are visited by sweat and honey bees as well as cabbage white butterflies and moths.

Bloom time: Late Summer-Fall




Canada goldenrod. Photo: Jay Mather.
Canada goldenrod. Photo: Jay Mather.
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Other common names: Meadow goldenrod

A 2-5 foot tall plant topped with a large club-shaped cluster of yellow flower heads that blooms in early fall. Goldenrod spreads via rhizomes, so plant carefully! It likes full to part shade, medium water, and tolerates a variety of soil types. Goldenrod provides nectar for bees, monarchs, hummingbirds, and other insects.

Bloom time: Late Summer-Fall



 


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