Judging by the crowds at nurseries and garden centers in May, it’s easy to think you can’t plant pollinator plants (or anything else!) after June 1. Not at all. In fact, savvy gardeners often will shop in June or July to find plants for their gardens, some of which may be on sale.

Native pollinator-friendly plants are especially adaptable to mid-season planting because they are accustomed to your weather and soils. Four years ago, during its 150th anniversary year, MSHS worked with Glacial Ridge Growers to develop Pollinator Paks™, groupings of six pollinator plants that are perfect to attract different pollinators.

One grouping is perfect for hummingbirds, another for bees and one for butterflies. The pollinator plants in the packs include favorites like milkweed, bee balm, anise hyssop, prairie blazing star, lupine and rudbeckia.

Planting Pollinator Plants Midsummer

When planting in early to midsummer, it’s important to water in plants carefully at planting and to continue to water them regularly after that. Most of the Pollinator Pak plants do not need huge amounts of water—generally what Mother Nature supplies through rain is enough. But during the first year, you may want to water them every few days to make sure their roots get established.

Choose a location for the plants where they will have good growing conditions, such a site with six or more hours per day of direct sun. Most do well in typical Midwestern soils, so no need to add a lot of compost or fertilizer.

Where to Buy Pollinator Paks™

Early in the year, you may find Pollinator Paks™ at participating plant sales throughout the state. A few well-known garden centers also purchase a large number of packs and place them in the perennial section. Check back each year for a new listing of sales and participating garden centers and nurseries!

Thank you!

Your purchase of a Pollinator Pak not only supports the bees and butterflies we love; $1 of each purchase goes to support MSHS and the work we do to encourage gardening in our communities. Have fun starting your next pocket garden this summer!