Create Garden Habitat

Attract Birds, Butterflies and Beneficial Wildlife to Your Garden

by growing many different flowering plants, shrubs and trees

that provide food, shelter and breeding sites.

Pond in the Garden ©

A water source such as this pond is an important part of the garden habitat

Birds in the Garden

Butterfly Garden

Beneficial Insects in the Garden

Pollinator Garden

Other Wildlife in the Garden

Birds in the Garden

A Goldfinch pauses in our Pine tree.

Trees and shrubs provide shelter, nesting sites and food sources.

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A Hummingbird drinks nectar from the Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria).

Hummingbirds are lively and interesting garden companions.

We have dramatically increased the number of hummingbirds in our garden by growing

flowers that provide food and shrubs and trees that provide shelter and nesting sites.

Learn more about creating a Hummingbird Garden

Butterfly Garden

Nectar sources for adults and host plants for larvae (caterpillars) vary by butterfly species.

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Lavender flowers are a preferred nectar source for the orange Woodland Skipper.

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Caterpillars (butterfly larvae) often feed on native plants such as this annual Ragwort (Senecia sp.)

that grows at the edge of our garden.

Pollinators in the Garden

Many flowering plants are dependent on insects for pollination.

The rapid decrease in numbers of insect pollinators is a growing environmental concern.

Creating habitat for these insects is of increasing importance.

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Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) gather pollen and nector

from Lavender Flowers

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The Hover Fly is a non-stinging bee look alike that

also feeds on Lavender flowers

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Succulents attract many pollinating insects to the garden.

Select succulents that bloom early, mid and late season to provide a food source all season.

Click here for a list of the Succulents we grow with links to their plant info pages that include

information about blooming periods.

Pollinators are attracted to many herbs such as lavender and mints.

Beneficial Insects in the Garden

Many beneficial insects are predators who eat plant pests such as aphids.

To protect beneficial insects, limit pesticide use in your garden.

Low toxicity pesticides, if they must be used, should be applied after sunset

when most insects are not flying.

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The Ladybug seen here on an Agastache rupestris leaf eats aphids and

other small pests and is an example of a beneficial insect.

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This Praying Mantis waits patiently on a Penstemon pinifolius for an insect meal

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Spiders spin webs to capture and feed on insects

Other Wildlife in the Garden

A wide range of interesting wildlife can be found in our gardens.

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The Red Dragonfly lays its eggs on water

and rests on a nearby Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis).

Dragonflys eat insects such as mosquitoes.

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Frog on Canna

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Frogs consume insect pests and are frequent residents in the nursery,

gardens and, of course, the pond.

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Newts breed in water and live in and around our pond and nearby stream.

They eat insects.

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Harmless Snakes such as this Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides)

help maintain a healthy eco-system by eating slugs, insects, and rodents.

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One afternoon this Racoon mother and her baby visited our pond and

our dogs chased them up a tree.

They more commonly visit at night when the dogs are safely inside.

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