Grow Wild

Grow Wild is an initiative to encourage folks to plant native species in their yards for pollinator and wildlife habitat.

You want to be part of the solution to the problem of the drastic declines reported amongst our bird and insect populations. You want to create more native plant habitat in your yard to support the insects and birds, but where to start? What should you plant? You may need some initial guidance as you begin to build your native plant knowledge.

We’ve filtered through many lists of plants to provide a short list of perennials and a few shrubs for most Burlington yards: one list for sunny yards and another list for part shade yards. They will provide diverse shaped flower structures (for different shaped pollinators and pollinator tongues!), pollen and nectar sources, host plant “caterpillar food” and shelter for the largest variety of insects throughout the growing season. Since most Burlington yards have medium to dry, sand or silt loam soils, we’ve selected plants that will thrive in these conditions. (If you are located in the few areas with clay soils or wet conditions, you’ll have to do some additional research.) The partial shade plants can tolerate full shade situations. Only a couple plants listed are not native to Vermont, being found in neighboring states but providing key wildlife resources during the season.

Burlington’s many native trees in our natural areas, along the lake shore and planted along our streets, are already providing early season pollen sources, e.g. red maples, willows, cottonwoods, birches, serviceberries and elms. Our list bulks up the mid and late season floral and host plant resources in our city. The late asters and goldenrods are critical nectar and pollen sources for migrating monarch butterflies and overwintering bumble bee queens. Our oaks host hundreds of caterpillar species, especially if we leave their leaves on the ground to protect overwintering pupae.

We recommend planting multiples of the perennials so it’s worth the insect’s energy to fly to your site, ideally from yard to yard along your street. We’ve noted which will self-seed, creating new plants for your expanding garden. Look at your whole yard and plan how you can replace some lawn with a little more insect habitat each year, rebuilding natural communities in our city. Once you’ve had success with these plants, we encourage you to research other natives to add to your gardens as you expand them. We’ve provided links below. Learn their Latin names and become confident you’re getting the right plants. If you can find them, plant the native species vs. named cultivars, which breeders have selected typically for showier flowers, bigger berries or unnatural colored foliage, but which frequently have lost some of their ecological function and attraction to insects.

Lastly, embrace a more natural, “messy” look. Insects need the plant cover, the bare soil areas, the dead stalks, the fallen leaves. You’ll hear more insects singing and find more resident and migrating birds foraging for them in your yards as you increase this natural habitat in our neighborhoods! 

READ MORE: Why "rewild" your home lawn?
 

What plant should I start with?

Download a Burlington-specific guide [PDF]

Nursery sources for native plants

Chittenden County Nurseries

Online Nurseries

Learn more

Continue your education. But first, hot off the presses is this excellent new book: The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman! The author presents an engaging, well-researched summary of everything you need to know to start ecologically gardening and support pollinating insects. Lots of photos and helpful lists and reminders.

The next four sites have plant finder databases or link to a plant list. All have great information and e-newsletters for building your knowledge!