A 10 by 6 foot native bed for pollinators
Quick answer
Twenty-seven native plants in a 10 by 6 foot bed. Seven of the eight kinds are rated high for pollinators in our plant data; the eighth, prairie dropseed, is a grass that adds structure and nesting material for bees.
The plan
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| Plant | How many | Role | Size | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pacific Windflower | 5 | Front edge | 8 to 12 in | low to medium water |
| 2. Blue Flax | 5 | Main planting | 18 in | low water |
| 3. Rocky Mountain Penstemon | 3 | Anchor | 30 in | low to medium water |
| 4. Gayfeather | 5 | Main planting | 24 in | low water |
| 5. Prairie Dropseed Grass | 3 | Anchor | 24 to 30 in | low water |
| 6. Aromatic aster | 2 | Front edge | 12 to 24 in | low to medium water |
| 7. Purple Prairie Clover | 3 | Main planting | 24 in | low to medium water |
| 8. Showy Milkweed | 1 | Accent | 30 in | low water |
About $156 for the 11 of 27 plants we have prices for, at the lowest price we have seen.
Pacific WindflowerAnemone multifida8 to 12 inlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 4 to 8
Blue FlaxLinum lewisii18 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 4 to 9
Rocky Mountain PenstemonPenstemon strictus30 inlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 8
GayfeatherLiatris punctata24 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 9
Prairie Dropseed GrassSporobolus heterolepis24 to 30 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 9
Aromatic asterSymphyotrichum oblongifolium12 to 24 inlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 8
Purple Prairie CloverDalea purpurea24 inlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 9
Showy MilkweedAsclepias speciosa30 inlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3 to 9
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Containing the milkweed
Showy milkweed spreads by roots; give it an edge or a root barrier so it stays in its corner of the bed.
Frequently asked questions
- Will the milkweed take over?
- It can spread by roots, so plant it near a hard edge and remove strays.