Hey everyone, so I had this crazy idea a few years ago to ditch the traditional front lawn that I really hated maintaining. After my divorce, I decided to turn the whole thing into a wildflower meadow. The first year was magical with tons of bees and butterflies, followed by an awesome second year when I added some bulbs. Now, the third year, I've got too many docks taking over the space! The good news is they're attracting more wildlife, like dragonflies and crickets, but I'm looking to add more color and variety to my garden. I'm planning to dig it up again to introduce more bulbs for the spring and mix in some sunflowers. My garden's pretty big, about 25 square meters, and I'd love any perennial plant suggestions. I'm embracing the scraggly look and honestly, the more obnoxious, the better!
5 Answers
You could look into plants like salvias, which are tough, evergreen, and attract pollinators with their fragrance and flowers. Also, consider letting your meadow do its thing a bit more and just cut back the growth once or twice a year. This helps manage the flowers and keeps things diverse!
You might want to take it easy with the digging! Instead, try only digging up a section each year. That way, you won't disrupt the habitats that insects depend on. Plus, keeping some docks can actually add winter interest to your garden. They're great for birds, too!
If pollinators are your focus, don’t forget about fall-blooming plants to keep attracting them later in the year. Maybe add some soft fruit like gooseberries or currants too. And seriously, ignore the negativity from those who prefer manicured lawns!
You’re a total hero for this! Have you thought about adding some small shrubs that attract pollinators? A dwarf buddleia could be a fun touch, and your neighbors might get annoyed with the seedlings it produces!
If you're going for bold, try planting some hollyhocks and love-lies-bleeding. They’re big, self-seeding, and look great! You could also throw in carrots and fennel; they’re good for pollinators and might give you some produce if you let them grow out.