Starting Your Own Native Plant Garden

By Torianna Lindert

Flowers, bees, birds, and butterflies may be the last thing on your mind this time of year. But did you know that now is the perfect time to start preparing for your summer gardens? Our pollinators need your help, and the best way to support them is by starting or expanding your own pollinator garden! 

Beaver Creek Reserve has been educating the Chippewa Valley and spreading awareness of the benefits of native plants for over 30 years through our Native Plant Sale. From seedling to sprout, we care for and raise these plants until they are ready to be picked up and planted in your own garden at home. This year’s online Native Plant Sale opens Wednesday, April 30. 

Native plants provide many benefits for your yard: 

1. They have a deep root system

Their roots soak up water and filter out excess nutrients or pollutants in the soil, building soil fertility, and improving water quality. Established root systems also help with soil erosion.

2. They help insects and other native wildlife

Many different critters rely on native plants to survive. For example, the Monarch butterfly relies on Milkweed (a native species) to lay their eggs and to eat during their caterpillar stage.

3. They are low maintenance

Once your natives are planted and established in the ground (this takes about 1-2 years), they require little to no irrigation, fertilizer, pruning, or mowing. This saves you time and money!

Whether you are in town, or in a more rural location, have sunny backyards, or shaded forests, there is a native plant for every yard and soil type! Native plants also attract many different pollinators, so consider buying a few different types of plants and see what comes to your yard. 

If you’re looking to attract birds, consider purchasing Cardinal Flower, Cup Plant, and Wild Bergamot. These plants produce seeds for birds, and in return, the birds disperse the seeds through their droppings and are naturally spread back into nature, making it a win-win!

If you’re looking to attract butterflies, consider purchasing Golden Alexanders, Common Milkweed, Pearly Everlasting, and Sundial Lupine. These four plants are all host plants and essential to supporting the larval phase of butterflies and moths. These plants are where the female insects lay their eggs. Once the newly emerged caterpillar consumes its shell, it begins to eat the plant. Additionally, butterflies like the Monarch or Karner Blue Butterfly only lay their eggs on their host plants, and their larvae will only eat their host plant. 

Native plants are essential to supporting insect populations. Your pollinators will thank you, and your yard will look beautiful with your new native additions. This year’s online Native Plant Sale opens Wednesday, April 30 at 9:00 AM on the Beaver Creek Reserve website, and closes Wednesday, May 7. Plant pick-up will be on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at the Wise Nature Center. Plants sell out fast, so prepare your list ahead of time and make sure you are signed into your member account to receive your discount. Visit Beaver Creek Reserve’s website for more details. Happy shopping!