Grimms Gardens Blogs | Grimms Gardens

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Curved Pebble Bee

Andrew Mitchell

Curved Pebble Bee

The curved pebble bee is our pollinator of the month for August 2026. When I first learned about this curious bee, I was amazed by how it builds its nests. I observed pebble bees on my cup plant ( Sil...

bees native bees native plants natives pebble bees pollination pollinator gardening pollinator of the month pollinators

Aug 20, 2026

Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot)

Andrew Mitchell

Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot)

Our 2026 July Plant of the Month is bee balm , also known as wild bergamot and Oswego tea. This native perennial is a favorite for bumblebees and other pollinators throughout the country. Nearly every...

July Mint Family bee balm monarda perennials perennials for pollinators plant of the month pollination pollinator gardening pollinator plants pollinators wild bergamot

Jul 2, 2026

The Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly

Andrew Mitchell

The Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly

The silver spotted skipper butterfly is our June Pollinator of the Month. It is one of the most recognized butterflies in North America. While it can be found throughout the continent, it is most comm...

June baptisia butterflies butterfly gardening butterfly hosts host plants legumes pollinator gardening pollinator of the month skipper butterflies skippers

Jun 18, 2026

In Defense of Native Plants

Andrew Mitchell

In Defense of Native Plants

Typically, a week in June or the entire month of June is set aside as a month for natives. Native plants that is. The Kansas Native Plant Society has for years petitioned the Kansas Governor to make J...

Garden Planning Gardening Native Grasses butterfly hosts host plants meadow gardening native gardening native plants natives natural gardening pollinator gardening

Jun 4, 2026

Whispurr Pink Catmint

Andrew Mitchell

Whispurr Pink Catmint

Our June Plant of the Month for 2026 is Whispurr Pink catmint. Catmints (Nepeta species) hail from Europe and Asia, mainly along the Mediterranean Regions. But they have been widely cultivated and nat...

June catmint plant of the month pollinator gardening pollinator plants whispurr pink catmint

May 28, 2026

Perennial Pollinator Plants

Andrew Mitchell

Perennial Pollinator Plants

Even though the springtime brings warmer temperatures, leaves on everything, and sunshine, the flowers really do not shine until June. But there are still many perennial pollinator plants for gardens,...

April flowering baptisia bees butterflies may flowering milkweeds perennials perennials for pollinators pollinator gardening pollinator plants wasps

May 21, 2026

9 Perennial Must-Haves for Pollinators

Andrew Mitchell

9 Perennial Must-Haves for Pollinators

If you are looking to add flowers to your garden for pollinators, I have 9 must-haves for you. These perennials attract more than just honeybees, they provide for many different kinds of pollinators. ...

blunt mountain mint butterfly milkweed common boneset insects liatris mountain mint native insects ornamental onion perennials perennials for pollinators pollination pollinator gardening pollinator plants pollinators prairie blazingstar purple coneflower rattlesnake master salvia sedum

Mar 12, 2026

Monarch Waystations

Andrew Mitchell

Monarch Waystations

Although it has been more than a decade since I first wrote about Monarch Waystations, they are just as important as before. Even as gardening trends more and more towards natives, pollinator protecti...

butterflies monarch butterflies monarch waystations monarchs native insects native plants pollination pollinator gardening pollinators

Feb 26, 2026