Oklahoma Pollinator Garden Guide

Location: OKC, Oklahoma

#20250205-USA-OK-C

Native Pollinator Friendly Species

American Plum (Prunus americana) - Early-season white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) - With its unique, tubular flowers in shades of pink and purple, bee balm is a great pollinator plant, attracting bees and hummingbirds.

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) - Spring flowers attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and other insects.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) - Known for its yellow petals and dark center, this plant is a favorite for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) - Supports native bees and birds.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) - Wind-pollinated but hosts over 130 caterpillar species that feed native birds.

Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) - The vibrant red and yellow flowers of blanketflower attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) - With its tall blue spikes, blue sage is a great choice for attracting hummingbirds and bees.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) - Great for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) - Great for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) - Attracts long-tongued bees and supports caterpillars.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) - With its bright yellow flowers, goldenrod is a late-season nectar source for pollinators.

Ironweed (Vernonia spp.) - This plant has striking purple flowers and attracts bees and butterflies.

Liatris (Liatris spicata) - Known as blazing star, its tall purple spikes draw in butterflies and bees.

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) - Essential for monarch butterflies, milkweed also provides nectar for a variety of other pollinators.

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) - Wind-pollinated, but its flowers provide habitat for insects like caterpillars, which in turn support birds.

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) - Fragrant white flowers support bees and other insects.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) - This bright purple flower attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, adding vibrant color to gardens.

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) - This plant produces clusters of purple flowers and is highly attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) - This unique, spiky plant with white flowers is an excellent source of nectar for pollinators like bees.

Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) - Attracts bees and provides food for many native insects.

Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis) - Known for its purple, trumpet-shaped flowers, wild petunia attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees.

Invasive Species to Remove

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) - Forms dense mats that prevent native plant establishment.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) - Spreads aggressively, disrupts native plant communities, and forms dense thickets.

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) - Aggressive root system makes it difficult to control, displacing native forbs and grasses.

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) - Highly flammable, increases wildfire frequency, and outcompetes native grasses.

Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) - Native but highly invasive due to fire suppression, outcompetes native grasslands.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) - Forms dense mats, preventing native plant regeneration.

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) - Rapidly spreads via rhizomes and seeds, displacing native prairie species.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) - Smothers trees and shrubs, altering entire ecosystems.

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) - Outcompetes native wildflowers and depletes soil nutrients.

Privet (Ligustrum sinense, Ligustrum japonicum) - Forms dense monocultures, shading out native understory plants.

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) - Consumes large amounts of water, alters soil chemistry, and outcompetes native riparian vegetation.

Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) - Outcompetes native plants and is unpalatable to most wildlife.

Implementation Steps

Assess Soil Health: Conduct a soil test to determine pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content. Amend soil with compost or other organic materials if needed to support pollinator-friendly plants.
Remove Invasive Species: Manually remove invasive weeds and grasses. Use sheet mulching, solarization, or targeted herbicide application if necessary to reduce competition for native plants.
Prepare the Land: Lightly till or scarify the soil to improve seed-to-soil contact. Use mulch or straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Plant Native Flowers and Grasses: Select a diverse mix of Oklahoma-native wildflowers, grasses, and nectar-producing plants to support pollinators throughout the seasons. Plant in clusters to improve foraging efficiency.
Incorporate Shrubs and Small Trees: Add native shrubs and small trees to provide shelter, nesting sites, and additional forage sources for pollinators.
Implement Water Management: Use shallow water sources like birdbaths or small basins with stones for pollinators to safely access water. Consider rainwater harvesting techniques for sustainable irrigation.
Monitor and Maintain: Regularly check for invasive regrowth, replenish mulch, and reseed as necessary. Avoid pesticides and herbicides that may harm pollinators.

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