Pollinator Gardens with Native Plants for Houston

Many of us discovered native plant gardening through a desire to help birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. These creatures are essential to a functioning ecosystem and need a certain mix of plants to thrive.

The Rusty Dog designs for pollinator gardens include a mix of larval host plants to feed butterflies when they are caterpillars, and nectar plants to feed adult butterflies and hummingbirds. The recommended plants include options for year-round interest.

Sunny Pollinator Garden (Type 3-5)

Dimensions: 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep.

Location Plant Options
Plant A (4) Gaura
Gulf Muhly
Red Yucca
Plant B (4) Little Bluestem
Sunflower
Plant C (2) Salvia Greggi
Mexican Bush Sage
Flame Acanthus
Plant D (8) Purple Coneflower
Black-Eyed Susan
Native Milkweed
Blanketflower
Mixed Native Wildflowers
Plant E (2) Gregg's Mistflower
Dill
Plant F (4) Frogfruit
Plant G (1, option for a fence/trellis) Passionflower Vine

 

Shaded Pollinator Garden (Type 2-3)

Dimensions: 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep.

 

Location Plant Options
Plant A (2)  Tropical Sage
Salvia Miniata
Plant B (1) Buttonbush
Turk's Cap
Beautyberry
Plant C (6) Inland Sea Oats
Plant D (4) Native Milkweed 
Plant E (6) Frogfruit
Plant F (4) Columbine
Plant G (5) Sedge
Wood Fern
Plant H (1, option for a fence/trellis) Pipevine