If you’re looking to make a big difference for your landscape and the environment, you can’t go wrong with a pollinator garden. Also known as bee or wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens bring beauty and beneficial insects to your property, creating a win-win for everyone. Getting started is easy, especially with the right landscape partner by your side. Here’s what to “bee” mindful of:

Choose the Right Site

For the greatest success, pollinator gardens are best located in a spot that gets at least partial sun and isn’t too windy. If the site currently has sod, it will need to be removed, and the soil tilled prior to planting your pollinator garden. Your landscape partner can advise on the best approach. 

Pro Tip: Aim to plant in clumps of a single type of plant. It makes it easier for pollinators to find their preferred food source.

Choose Native Plants

Not only are native plants well-adapted to your region, they’re also an important food source for pollinators. Check out the website for Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which maintains a list of native plants for each state. For year-round interest, we like to select plants that bloom in different seasons. 

Pro Tip: Beware of cultivars of native plants. Through selective breeding, these plants may have lost some of the qualities that originally made them attractive to pollinators.

Choose with Bees in Mind

According to the Xerces Society, bees are the most important group of pollinators because they spend most of their lives collecting pollen. In fact, a single female bee can visit hundreds of flowers in a single foraging trip. However, not all flowers are universally appealing. That’s because different species of bees have different tongues. Some have long tongues that work well for tubular blooms while others have short tongues that are better suited for small florets. Plant a mix of shapes and sizes to appeal to as many bee species as possible. 

Pro Tip: Save your red flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies. Bees can’t see red, but are attracted to purple, blue, white, and yellow.

Choose the Right Time to Plant

Spring is the best time to install a pollinator garden as it allows plenty of time for transplants to get established before their first winter freeze. If you live in a region with mild winters, fall planting could also be an option.

Pro Tip: It’s not uncommon for native plants to spend their first couple growing seasons establishing their root system instead of directing energy toward aboveground growth.

Choose the Right Landscape Provider

BrightView is experienced in implementing environmentally-friendly landscaping solutions—like pollinator gardens—across the country. Whether you’re looking to create unique outdoors spaces that attract top talent, promote healing, or enhance learning, our team of experts has you covered. Take the first step toward bringing your vision to life by scheduling a free consultation.

Believe it or not, your landscape has a secret. And being the good landscape whisperers we are, we’re going to share it: 

Landscapes don’t live forever.

Like all living things, a landscape has a lifecycle. Understanding how this lifecycle works––and the appropriate care to provide at each stage­­––can make it seem like your landscape is eternally at its peak. 

So, what are the key considerations?

Good landscape care takes into account:

• Seasonal requirements
• Your landscape’s maturity
• Areas requiring specialized expertise, such as tree care, golf courses, and sports turf

From there, a plan can be developed that meets your landscape’s individual needs. What exactly does that look like? And when do you need certain services? Let’s dig into the details! 

When you’re building new or renovating… 

You need: Landscape Development 

Good landscape development minimizes your ongoing maintenance costs. The key is skilled professionals who are trained in the latest methodologies, have a track record for delivering quality results, and are committed to finishing projects on-time and on-budget. For example, that means taking care to source healthy plant material, carefully considering irrigation plans, and providing thoughtful project management that develops solutions before problems arise.

When you’re managing an existing property… 

You need: Landscape Maintenance 

Here, the focus is maximizing the health and longevity of your landscape through ongoing fertilization, weed and pest management, and exterior upkeep. This includes maintenance during the active growing season—like mowing and edging—and less frequent seasonal tasks, like mulch, dormant pruning, and storm preparedness and response.

Then there are the aspects of your landscape that require regular upkeep from specialists, such as irrigation technicians and certified arborists. Having a partner like BrightView, who has these experts on-staff, makes life that much easier.

These include:

• Water Management
• Tree Care
• Enhancements

When winter means snow…

You need: Snow & Ice Services

Though your landscape may be dormant, planning for the care of your landscape is not. It’s helpful to have a partner who is looking out for you year-round.  That’s why you may want to consider a landscape partner who can also handle your snow services, such as BrightView. Not only is it one less partner to vet, but your landscape team is already familiar with your property, which makes planning seamless.

When you manage a golf course or playing field…

You need: Golf Course Maintenance & Sports Turf Services

Finally, it’s important to mention that golf courses and sports facilities require specialized care, which many landscape providers aren’t equipped to provide. At BrightView, we’re proud to have agronomists and veteran sports turf and golf operations consultants on-staff, helping keep your field or course at the top of its game.

Take a Holistic Approach to Landscape Services

Getting the most from your landscape involves a holistic approach. That’s why you’ll often hear us talk about the landscape lifecycle, and the importance of the having a partner who can serve your landscape throughout. At BrightView, we have experts on-staff who can handle every stage and specialty need. So instead of finding a new partner for every season of your landscape, reach out to the trusted team that already knows your property or portfolio well. Now good landscape care is seamless; and best of all, it’s no longer a secret.