This summer, I began transforming part of our parkway garden into a dedicated pollinator habitat—a space I now affectionately refer to as our pollinator parkway. This isn’t just a makeover for beauty’s sake. It’s a deliberate move toward building a more resilient, wildlife-friendly garden that reflects the ecological values I care about—and one that shares moments of seasonal joy with everyone who passes by.

Turning a Sunny Strip into a Pollinator Powerhouse

The shift started after a neighbor’s mature shade tree came down, dramatically changing the microclimate of a section of our parkway. Plants that once thrived in dappled light began to falter. Rather than replant with more of the same, I leaned into the sun and reimagined this space with pollinators and native perennials in mind.

I started with 10 four-inch starts of butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a tough native milkweed that thrives in dry, sunny conditions. I added 20 purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), and mixed in 5 spikes of Liatris spicata 'Floristan White', a native cultivar I chose for its clean white flowers that offset the deep pinks and purples of the Echinacea. These choices weren’t just aesthetic—they were functional, selected to bloom over time and serve a rotating cast of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Bright orange blooms of Asclepias tuberosa—also known as butterfly weed—thriving in a sunny pollinator garden and attracting monarch butterflies and native bees

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) in full bloom, providing nectar-rich forage for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in a drought-tolerant garden setting

Liatris spicata ‘Floristan White’ blooming alongside native perennials in a pollinator-friendly parkway garden, with tall floral spikes beloved by butterflies and bees

Why I Chose Agastache for the Heart of the Parkway

Tucked into the heart of this space is a drift of Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’, planted last fall in three clumps of three. These powder-blue flower spikes have been a revelation this season—buzzing with pollinators all summer long. Their deep root systems have handled the heat and poor soil conditions like champions.

I barely watered them this year, yet they’ve held their own against the aggressive root systems of two nearby maple trees—a testament to their drought tolerance and toughness. I shared this exact advice in a recent feature for Homes & Gardens on plants that can withstand tough conditions. If you’re looking for a near-indestructible pollinator magnet, Agastache is a solid bet.
👉 Read the full quote and article here: 10 of the hardest plants to kill – these effortless garden beauties will thrive even when ignored

Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ showing off powder-blue flower spikes, a magnet for pollinators in low-maintenance urban landscapes and heat-tolerant gardens 

What’s Next: Fall Planting for Pollinators and Late Bloom

There’s still more to come. As I look ahead to fall, I’m planning to tuck yarrow (Achillea millefolium) into some of the bare spots between the milkweed and coneflowers. I love how its soft, flat flower clusters complement spiky forms like Agastache and Liatris—and its ability to attract a broad range of pollinators makes it a garden workhorse.

In the shaded portions of the parkway—those still protected by mature maples—I’m plotting out additions of late-season bloomers and expanding a small but happy patch of black snakeroot (Actaea racemosa). Nestled between goatsbeard and oakleaf hydrangea, these bold plants bring late-season structure and nectar when much of the garden is winding down.

Black snakeroot (Actaea racemosa) sending up bold, bottlebrush blooms in dappled shade—an essential late-season native plant for shady pollinator habitats

Feathery white plumes of Aruncus dioicus add texture and early summer interest to woodland gardens, thriving in part-shade and supporting beneficial insects

Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) showing its large, lobed leaves and creamy summer flowers—ideal for shady urban gardens and pollinator support

A Garden That Grows Community and Biodiversity

For me, gardening has always been more than aesthetics. It’s about cultivating spaces that are generous—to pollinators, to the soil, and to the people who pass by. That value came through in my recent quote for Livingetc, where I spoke about the ecological upside of “messy gardening”—letting plant life flourish in layered, imperfect, and biodiverse ways.
👉 Read the full quote and article here: "Messy Gardening" Is the Emerging Trend That Embraces the Chaos — Here's How to Design an Outdoor Space With It Intentionally

This parkway garden is messy in the best sense—filled with staggered bloom times, varied textures, and room for discovery. And while it brings me a lot of joy, it’s just as much for the neighbors who walk their dogs or stop to ask about a plant. It’s for the kids pointing out butterflies. These plants aren’t just blooming for me—they’re blooming for everyone.

👉 Read How Parkway Gardens Can Transform Our Cities into Family-Friendly Havens

Follow the Journey with Pistils & Pollen

If you’ve enjoyed watching this space evolve—or if you’re planning your own pollinator-friendly parkway garden—I invite you to follow along with the Pistils & Pollen mobile app. Inside, you’ll find plant care guides, urban gardening tips, and a community rooted in ecological awareness and joy-filled planting. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your garden’s biodiversity, the app is here to help you grow.