Habitat Zone 2: Meadows

The Meadows contain several different site conditions that are suitable for both upland plant species and those that require a little more soil moisture to survive. In the drier area along the western portion of the pollinator habitat, annual sunflowers, rabbitbrush, and fire chalice are some of the key species that provide late season nectar. Other species in this drier area provide nectar sources throughout the growing season such as globemallow (early spring), blue flax (spring), penstemons (spring to summer), showy goldeneye (summer to fall), blanket flower (summer), and Rocky Mountain bee plant (summer).

The soils along the southern border contain seasonal moisture and is suitable for a variety of uncommon and beautiful nectar species such as salt heliotrope, sea purslane, Nuttall’s sunflower, alkali sacaton, and goldenrod. Berry-bearing shrub species appropriate for birds also occur such as chokecherry and serviceberry. Both areas attract a large number of pollinators, especially bees that are attracted to the abundance of colorful and sometimes sweet-smelling flowers.

Audio 2 Transcription (audio time, minutes 3:30):

Here in the mountain west, meadows are some of the most stunning and spectacular landscapes that we encounter. Many of us in the west have fond memories of either visiting, living, and being close to nature and that includes high mountain meadows that are often dotted with colorful rainbows of blue flax, red penstemons, and yellow sunflowers; a whole diverse ecosystem. 

Meadows are special places and they are critically important for pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies that rely on them for food and shelter. If I told you that you could incorporate some similar structures, and colors, and plant diversities in your own landscape at home, you might be able to create that wilderness in your own backyard.

Well it does take a lot of work to rip out sod grass and put in native plants and shrubs but the payoff is all worth it. It will reduce your outdoor water use and the time you spend mowing. By reducing the size of a traditional lawn and planting native grasses and flowers, you can help create pollinator habitat that benefits bees, butterflies, and birds. 

The key is to plant the right variety of native species. Unlike the typical turf grass that you grow on a nice, manicured lawn, bunchgrasses grow in clumps that are tall and bushy. 

In between each individual plant is often bare ground or places where litter or sticks and leaves can accumulate. These inconspicuous organic materials make wonderful habitats for pollinators to live. An added benefit to letting the litter accumulate in your gardens is that it reduces the need to water frequently – saving both time and money.  

While bunchgrasses add needed cover and shelter that pollinators use during nesting and breeding, flowering plants, or forbs, provide the nectar that fuels those pollinators growth. Many of the commercially available flowering plants that you use for landscaping are already pollinator friendly, but if you want to go the extra mile, planting native species that tend to flower throughout the year during dry periods, during wet periods, the spring, summer, and fall seasons are the most friendly species that will help out pollinators that are adapted to our northern Utah region.

I’m Eric LaMalfa for Utah State University and I hope you enjoy the garden!