When landscape designer John Magee was tasked with building a pollinator garden in this zone 7 property in Aldie, Virginia, he certainly had his work cut out for him. (See John’s garden here). Dominated by turfgrass and a few non-native shrubs and trees, this space overlooked a nearby golf course and the backyards of close neighbors, so creating privacy was a must. At the same time, the lawn-heavy neighborhood lent itself to enormous stormwater runoff. John decided to create a bermed border of planting beds in the backyard of this property which he bookended with rain gardens that would capture roof runoff in a more efficient way. To maximize benefit to pollinators, all of the plants John installed were natives or native cultivars, although he kept a few non-native favorites that his client could not live without, such as ‘Limelight’ panicle hydrangea. Using a muted color palette consisting of whites, purples, blues, and greens, John used matrix installations and drifts of plants to create a more upscale and refined design than one would traditionally think of when picturing a pollinator garden. Despite the lack of red and yellow wildflowers, bees and butterflies still flock to this functional space that is full of both nectar and host plants for them to enjoy.

Below are just some of the plants that make up this dynamic design:

1. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis, Zones 5–11)
2. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum, Zones 3–8)
3. ‘Heavy Metal’ switch grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’, Zones 5–9)
4. Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum, Zones 5–9)

1. ‘Limelight’ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Zones 3–9)
2. Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum, Zones 5–9)
3. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 4–8)
4. Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii, Zones 5–9)

1. White fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus, Zones 3–9)
2. Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium, Zones 3–8)
3. ‘Standing Ovation’ little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’, Zones 4–9)
4. American black elderberry (Sambucuscanadensis, Zones 3–9)

Diana Koehm is the content editor.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2024 Nautilus Award Gold Medal Winner! This awe-inspiring guide weaves together permaculture design, food resiliency, climate adaptation, community organizing, and indigenous wisdom that you can implement in your own backyard.

Buy at Amazon