Marie's Butterfly Trail

Butterflies are pollinators, a type of insect or animal that helps plants reproduce by picking up pollen from one plant and taking it to another.

Without pollinators, many plant species would not survive. Maymont uses many native species that are adapted to our climate so the garden blooms all season long. Many native plants thrive in our hot, dry summers.

Here are some tips and resources from Maymont's team of horticulturists on creating your own pollinator garden:

Start Small

Your garden will be much more rewarding if you can keep up with it! Start with a few plants and add more as you learn.

Create Healthy Soil

When starting a garden, add compost to the bed to introduce nutrients and microorganisms that are missing from lawns and urban areas.

Keep 1-2 inches of mulch on bare soil while plants are getting established. This helps keep the soil consistently moist between waterings and gives insects shelter.

Right Plant, Right Place

Use plants that won’t get too big for the space you have, and that work well with the conditions at your home. Some plants like to be wet, some plants like to be dry. Some like sun or shade.

For every condition, there is a plant that has adapted to thrive there.

Experiment and Have Fun!

Even expert gardeners learn by making mistakes. A garden is a living thing. If one plant dies or isn’t doing well, try something different.

Remember to “stop and smell the roses.” Notice all the insects that visit your garden. What is your favorite thing about your plants?

Take your pollinator garden to the next level:

Our horticulture team personally recommends these resources if you're ready to level up your pollinator garden.

Selecting Plants for Pollinators: A Regional Guide for Farmers, Land Managers, and Gardeners in the Southeastern US from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC)
"Gardening for Pollinators," a guide from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
"Garden for Wildlife," a guide from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Funding for the Butterfly Trail was provided by Jack and Mary Spain in memory of Jack’s mother, Marie Spain.