10 Stunning Small Flower Garden Against House Ideas

3. Butterfly and Bee Haven

A photo of a narrow strip along a house with a variety of pollinator-friendly plants. There's a butterfly bush in the foreground, with butterflies resting on it. The background contains clusters of purple coneflower and black-eyed susans. There are stones in the garden, providing resting spots for bees. A bird feeder and a birdbath are also visible, providing water sources for pollinators.

Let me tell you about my journey creating a pollinator paradise in that narrow strip along my house! After years of trial and error, I’ve discovered that designing a butterfly and bee haven isn’t just about pretty flowers – it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem right in your own backyard.

Choosing Native Pollinator-Friendly Plants

I learned the hard way that not all flowers are created equal when it comes to attracting pollinators. Native plants are absolute game-changers! They’ve evolved alongside our local pollinators and provide exactly what they need. Some of my tried-and-true favorites include purple coneflower, bee balm, and wild bergamot.

Pro tip: Check with your local extension office for a list of native plants specific to your region!

Creating a Butterfly Bush Focal Point

The butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) has become the star of my garden. While it’s not native to North America, it’s like a butterfly magnet! I’ve positioned mine strategically against the house where it can reach its full height of 6-8 feet. Just remember to prune it back hard in early spring to keep it manageable and promote better blooming.

Clustering for Impact

Here’s something I wish I knew earlier: butterflies and bees love mass plantings! Instead of dotting single plants everywhere, I now cluster at least 3-5 of the same species together. My purple coneflower and black-eyed susan clusters create these amazing color blocks that pollinators can spot from far away.

Maintaining Continuous Blooms

The secret to keeping pollinators coming back is ensuring there’s always something blooming. I’ve mapped out my garden to provide nectar sources from early spring through late fall:

Early Spring: Virginia Bluebells, Wild Columbine
Late Spring: Butterfly Weed, Wild Indigo
Summer: Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susans
Late Summer/Fall: New England Aster, Goldenrod

Remember to deadhead regularly to extend blooming periods!

Water Sources and Resting Spots

One thing that really leveled up my pollinator garden was adding a small butterfly puddling station – basically a shallow dish with sand and water. I also incorporated some flat rocks that warm up in the sun, creating perfect resting spots for butterflies to bask and regulate their temperature.

Want to see another amazing way to transform your foundation garden? Click the next button below to discover how to create a stunning Shade-Loving Woodland Garden that thrives in those tricky spots where sun rarely reaches. I’ll show you my favorite combinations of hostas and ferns that’ll make your shady spots absolutely gorgeous!