Nectar, Pollen, Seeds, and Bent Tree

Wildlife Gardens that support the pollinator life cycle and songbirds from nesting to winter dormancy are needed. Bent Tree has one of the largest potential areas for them to thrive with all of us together having 3,500 acres. That’s more than some GA State Parks!

Here is a bullet point list of how to start a Butterfly/Bird Garden this season.

Can Be Purchased (extremely browse resistant)

Milkweeds (Monarch butterflies’ only host plant)

Goldenrods (keystone, supports both pollinators and songbirds)

Bee Balms (summer hummingbird favorite)

Bergamots (Wild Bergamot-Monardas)

Hyssops

Penstemons (natural hummingbird support)

Coreopsis

Passionflower Vines (Personal butterfly host plant favorite of a local pollinator enthusiast)

Mountain Mint (or any native mint - they are GA heat/drought resistant, and powerhouse pollinator support)

Asters (Many long blooming and beautiful choices that are 98% browse resistant, but can be trial and error)

Beauty Berry Shrubs

Black- Eyed Susans (or Brown-Eyed Susans)

Groundsels

Seed Bank Pollinator/Songbird Support

One option is to let a maintained green space grow- if allowed room many native wildflowers are possible from un-mowed areas:

Clasping Venus’ Looking Glass

Boneset (a monarch favorite)

Asters (keystone)

Bee Balms

Goldenrods (keystone)

Elephant’s Foot

Sweet Everlasting

3 Seeded Mercury