In 2018 the Weeders Garden Club created the Pollinator Garden at Tumbleweed Ranch, 2250 S. McQueen Rd. in Chandler, with support from Chandler Parks Department. The Garden is inside the park, in front of the McCroskey House.
A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted predominantly with trees, shrubs, vines and flowers that provide nectar and pollen for a wide range of pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. In addition to providing food, a pollinator garden also supplies a resting place as they migrate, especially important for the Monarch Butterfly.
Pollinators are indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem, but pollinator populations are shrinking worldwide. There are several factors that are contributing to this disturbing global trend. The exposure and use of pesticides in home gardens and farmland. Parasites attacking specific species, especially honey bees. The loss of diversity and abundance of different kinds of plants due to land use. Without these pollinators most plants cannot produce fruits and seeds. All of which are an important food source for people and wildlife. At least 80% of ours world’s crop species require pollination to set seed.
By planting a pollinator garden, with a diverse amount of flowering plants and native species in your landscape, you are helping to create and maintain habitats and ecosystems that many animals rely on for food and shelter.
Pollinator Garden Spring 2020
Pollinator Garden Planning and Planting
Pollinator Garden Plant List
As of April, 2018. The plant selections are expected to change with the seasons, donations and attrition.
| Size / Requirements | Bloom Color | Season | Pollinators Attracted | |
| Large Shrub/Small Tree | ||||
| AZ Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans v angustata) | 6’x6′, full sun | yellow | spring-fall | hummingbirds |
| Hopbush (dodonacea viscosa) | 12’x10′, sun | cream | spring | all |
| Large Tree | ||||
| Palo Verde, Desert Museum | 25’x25′, full sun | yellow | spring | all |
| Shrubs/Perennials | ||||
| Aloe Blue Elf | 2’x2′, filtered sun | orange | winter | hummingbirds |
| Angelita Daisy (Hymenoxis acaulis) | 1’x1′, sun/filtered shade | yellow | all year | butterflies |
| AZ Foldwing (Dicliptera resupinata) | 2’x3′, pm shade | magenta | spring-fall | hummingbirds |
| Baja Red Fairy Duster (calliandra californica) | 5’x5′, sun | red | spring-fall | all |
| Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens) | 3-5’x3-5′, full sun | purple | summer-fall | all |
| Blue Hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii) | 6’x6′, full sun | blue | spring-fall | bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| Blue Mist (Caryopteris clandonensis) | 3’x4′, filtered sun | violet blue | summer | butterflies |
| Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) | 3’x4′, full sun | yellow | winter-spring | birds, butterflies |
| Butterfly Weed Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) | 2’x18″, full sun | orange | summer | all |
| Cassia (Cassia oliogophylla) (or Senna oliogophylla) | 6’x6′, full sun | yellow | spring | all |
| Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata) | 1’x11, sun | yellow | spring-fall | birds, butterflies |
| Chuparosa (Justicia californica) | 3’x3′, sun | orange-red | winter- fall | butterflies, hummingbirds, caterpillars |
| Coral Fountain Grass (Russelia equisetiformis) | 3’x4′, sun | coral | all year | hummingbirds |
| Creeping Daisy (Wedelia trilobata) | 6″x30″, sun | yellow | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi) | 6’x4′, sun | lavender | spring | hummingbirds, birds, bees |
| Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) | 1’x1′, full sun | yellow | all year | birds, butterflies |
| Firebush (Hamelia paens) | 3-10’x3-10′, sun | scarlet | May-Nov | hummingbirds |
| Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) | 3’x4′, sun | apricot | Feb-May | all |
| Golden Dogbane (Thymophylla Pentachaeta) | 1’x1′, sun | yellow | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Indian Mallow(Abutilon palmeri) | 3-4’x3-4′, sun | apricot | spring-fall | caterpillars |
| Lantana | 2’x3′, sun | yellow/red | spring-fall | butterflies, birds, bees |
| Trailing Lantana (Lantana montividensis) | 1’x4′, pm shade | lavender | all | butterflies, bees |
| Lions Tail (Leonotis Leonorus) | 6’x3′, sun | orange/red | summer | hummingbirds |
| Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicagera) | 3’x4′, filtered sun | orange | spring-fall | all |
| Milkweed , Arizona (Asclepias angustifolia) | 2’x2′, filtered sun | white | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Milkweed, Desert (Asclepias subulata) | 4’x3′, sun | white | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Milkweed, Pineleaf (Asclepias linearas) | 2’x2′, filtered sun | white | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Penstemons (Penstemon-parryi) | 1.5’x1.5′, sun | hot pink | spring | hummingbirds |
| Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) | 6’x6′, sun | red & yellow | spring-fall | hummingbirds, butterflies |
| Red Justica (Justicia candicans) | 3’x3′, filtered sun | red-orange | Oct-May | all |
| Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) | 6’x6′, sun | red | May-Sept | birds, hummingbirds |
| Russian Sage(Perovskia atriplicifolia) | 3’x3′, sun | lavender blue | summer | butterflies |
| Skyflower (Duranta erecta v Sweet memories) | 10-25’x6-10′, sun | purple/white | spring-summer | butterflies |
| Spurge, Ascot Rainbow (Euphorbia martini) | 18″x18″, pm shade | pink/yellow | all | bees, butterflies |
| Sunrise emu (Eremophila maculata v sunrise) | 6’x5′, sun | yellow | all | hummingbirds |
| Valentine emu (Eremophila maclata v valentine) | 4’x5′, sun | red | Feb-March | hummingbirds |
| Verbena, Trailing (Verbena tenuisecta) | 12’x12′, filtered sun | blue | spring-fall | butterflies |
| Wooly Butterfly Bush (Buddleia mamubifolia) | 5’x5′, sun | orange | spring | butterflies, birds |
| Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) | 5-10’x4-6′, sun | yellow | March-Oct | hummingbirds |
| Vines | ||||
| Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) | 6’x5′, afternoon shade | red orange | all | hummingbirds |
| Baja Passion Flower (Passiflora factida) | 10’x10′, sun | white & purple | summer | Gulf Fritillary butterfly |
| Cat Claw Vine (Macfadyena unguis-cati) | 25’x15′, sun, fast grower | yellow | spring | hummingbirds |
| Annuals | ||||
| Hollyhock (Alcea rosea), sow seeds in fall | 3′, sun | various | spring | butterflies |
| Desert Wildflower mix | various, sun | various | spring | butterflies, hummingbirds, birds |
| Sun Flowers | 6′, sun | yellow | summer | butterflies, birds |