Hey everyone! I've got this tricky little side space behind my garage here in the Chicagoland area, and I'm not sure what to do with it. It's pretty narrow for a storage shelter, so I'm thinking about clearing out all the rocks and weeds and re-soiling the area. I really love bees and want to support pollinators, so I'm looking for plant recommendations that are low-maintenance and won't go wild. Maybe I could also add a little watering statue as a centerpiece? Any suggestions would be super helpful!
1 Answer
First off, how much sun does that area get? Knowing the dimensions helps too! Native plants are fantastic for pollinators. You might want to consider fall asters and goldenrods because they thrive in various conditions from shade to full sun. Just steer clear of Canadian goldenrod since it can take over. For spring blooms, Virginia bluebells and wild geraniums work great in sunny or mostly shady spots. Don't forget flat-topped zinnias; butterflies love them! Bee balm, especially Monarda didyma, is another great choice for attracting hummingbirds. It's shallow-rooted, so if it spreads too much, you can easily pull it out.
Gotcha! The area is about 4 feet wide and 18 feet long, and it gets plenty of sun. I think I might go with Hosta Venusta since we don't really use that part of the yard. I should also steer clear of plants that will attract skunks or possums. I’ll definitely keep your other suggestions in mind for planting along the side of my house since I love butterflies!