Demonstration Pollinator Gardens

In August 2024, there was an exciting collaboration between the Boy Scouts, the Golden Valley Historical Society, Golden Valley Community Foundation and Golden Valley Garden Club.

With funding from the Golden Valley Foundation’s Small Sparks Grant, Dylan Casey (Class of 2025 at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School and member of Boy Scout Troop 3268 in Golden Valley) organized the installation of pollinator gardens around the Golden Valley Historical Society. This project was Dylan’s Eagle Scout project and has been timed to celebrate the Historical Society’s upcoming 50th Jubilee. These gardens and this project are significant for a few reasons:

• Pollinator gardens are a key part of protecting our region’s pollinators, our soil health and our watershed. As part of the Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ (Bassett Creek) watershed, we in Golden Valley have a responsibility to support the ecological health of our region.
• These gardens (with mixed native and non-native plantings) will serve as example gardens for the Pollinator Pathway initiative, demonstrating how to turn a pocket garden into a beautiful and thriving ecosystem for pollinators. Many such gardens together can help connect existing green corridors allowing pollinators to safely thrive.
• This project exemplifies community partnerships and youth in action to create positive change for Golden Valley and beyond.

Project Plants and Supplies

Plants sourced from:

• Native pollinator plants – Out Back Nursery in Hastings, MN
• Non-native pollinator plants – Bachman’s in Plymouth, MN

Soil enrichment

• Cowsmo compost sourced from Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping in Orono, MN
• Organic Biotone sourced from Bachman’s in Plymouth, MN

Plant tags

• Startostar® Metal  Weatherproof Zinc Plant Labels
• Soil testing from University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory

Plant List: Native Plants to Minnesota

Support pesticide free plants native to our region to promote habitat for native pollinators & beneficial insects.

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Wet, Medium, Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: June to August
• Wildlife: Bee, Bird, Bumblebee, Hummingbird, Wasp

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Wet, Medium, Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: June to October
• Wildlife: Butterfly

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepius tuberosa)

• Full/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: July to August
• Wildlife: Bee, Beetle, Bumblebee, Butterfly

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Wet to Medium Soil
• Bloom Period: July to September
• Wildlife: Bird, Butterfly, Hummingbird

Fragrant Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: June to August
• Wildlife: Bee, Bird, Butterfly, Hummingbird, Wasp

Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)

• Part Sun to Shade
• Humus rich, medium to moist soil
• Bloom Period: Spring
• Wildlife: Ants, Bee, Beetle, Butterfly, Moth, Fly

Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Full Sun
• Wet to Medium Soil
• Bloom Period: July
• Wildlife: Bee, Beetle, Bird, Bumblebee, Butterfly, Hummingbird, Wasp

Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: June to July
• Wildlife: Bee, Bird, Bumblebee, Butterfly

Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: April to June
• Wildlife: Bumblebee

Sprengel’s Sedge (Carex sprengelii)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Moist to Dry Soil
• No blossoms
• Wildlife: Habitat & Shelter for one or more life cycles of pollinators & beneficial insects.

White Upland Aster (Solidago ptarmicoides)

• Full Sun
• Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: July to September
• Wildlife: Butterfly

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: April May
• Wildlife: Bee, Hummingbird

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry soil
• Bloom Period: June to September
• Wildlife: Bee

Plant List: Non-Native Plants Enjoyed by Pollinators

While native plants are always of greatest benefit to the local ecology, there are a wide variety of non-native plants than are still of special benefit to pollinators.

Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile)

• Sun/Part Sun
• Medium to Dry Soil
• Bloom Period: August September
• Wildlife: Bumblebee

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

• Sun/Part Shade
• Medium Soil
• Bloom Period: May June
• Wildlife: Bee, Fly

Non-Native Spring Bulbs

Purchased through Golden Valley Garden Club Spring Bulb Sale 2024 
Sourced from https://www.netherlandbulb.com/

Allium Drumsticks (Planted by Sign)

• H: 20” – 24”
• Plant Depth: 4”
• Spacing: 3” or 10 bulbs/sq foot

Camassia Quamash (Sign)

• H: 12” – 14”
• Plant Depth: 5”
• Spacing 6” or 6 bulbs/sq foot

Frittilaria “Checkered Lily” (Mixed Pollinator Garden)

• H: 8” – 10”
• Plant Depth: 4”
• Spacing: 3” or 10 bulbs/sq foot

Galanthus “Snowdrops” (Mixed Pollinator Garden)

• H: 6” – 8”
• Plant Depth: 2” – 3”
• Spacing: 3” or 10 bulbs/sq foot

Hyacinthoides Mix – Wood Hyacinth (Sign & Mixed Pollinator Garden)

• H: 10” – 12”
• Plant Depth: 4”
• Spacing: 3” or 10 bulbs/sq foot

Muscari “Delft Blue” (Sign)

• H: 6” – 8”
• Plant Depth: 3”
• Spacing: 2” or 12 bulbs/sq foot

Narcissus “Tete a Tete” (Sign)

• H: 6” – 8”
• Plant Depth: 6”
• Spacing: 4” or 6 bulbs/sq foot