It’s Time to Plant a Patch for Pollinators

Monarchs and a queen butterfly on Gregg’s mistflower

Autumn in Texas is the best time to plant, so now’s the time to add on to your pollinator garden – or start one! Even a city balcony can transform into a pollinator patch. Keep these 4 tips in mind when you choose plants:

Native plants are the ideal choice – they don’t need much water and can withstand Texas heat. Find a local nursery with a native plants section.
Annual plants must reseed or be replanted. Most annuals you see at nurseries are not natives. Perennials will grow back each year.
Note how long the sun shines on your patch – some flowering plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun, some bloom in semi-shade.
Seeds will save you money and cover a lot of ground, but they can take time, like planting wildflower seeds in fall for spring blooms. Installing already-blooming plants into your garden will attract pollinators right away.

For more tips, see How to Plant a Pollinator Garden, and watch our short video Get Started with Native Plants.