Pollinator Garden - Viking Ship Park
Moorhead MN
A local action to protect and establish native pollinators in our local parks. Protecting pollinators supports biodiversity of plants and creatures, encouraging our environment to thrive.
Dig up existing garden removing daylily bulbs, other plant growth, and rocks or other debris. (Moorhead Parks to help). Volunteers to pull by hand, shovel, rake and broadfork. Save rocks and concrete, removing rebar extensions, for future placement within pollinator garden as places for invertebrates
Plants/Seeds: List may be adapted as work with partners commences. Plants are perennials and should not require any additional maintenance. Most perennial gardens take approximately three years to fully establish. Variety of plants flower at varying times from spring through fall, offering beneficial nectar and habitat for invertebrates.
Plants will be installed in groupings. Exact placement and specific plants to be determined through collaboration with other groups. Rocks and concrete will be placed with plants for variation in heights, rainwater collection, and nesting habitat for pollinators.
Maintenance: In first two years of planting, watering to maintain moisture for growth; especially in times where nature does not provide (drought conditions). If hose and water source are provided, Open Spaces will maintain. Pruning: occasional removal of dead plant material (leaves, flower heads) to allow for new growth. Seed Collection: will be part of Open Spaces classes to collect and redistribute seeds in pollinator garden.
Following is a base list of seeds/plants to begin with:
- Blue Salvia (Salvia farinacea, aka Blue Sage) 2-3ft upright or sprawling perennial
- Wild Bergamot, Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa) 2-5ft open branch stems, pink flowers,perennial
- Thick leaved Goldenrod, Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod, Rough-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) 2-6ft stems, golden yellow, perennial
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) 1-2+ft stems grow bright-yellow, 2-3in wide daisy like flowers with dark centers, pink and yellow petals, perennial
- Blue Giant Hyssop, Anise Hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum) 2-4ft perennial with dense spikes of small tubular bright blue flowers, perennial
- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) 2-5ft pink to purplish flowers; large clusters
- Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) up to 3 ft tall, white, yellow and pink flowers
- Kinnikinnick, Red Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 1-2 ft trailing evergreen shrub
- Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) 12-20 inches tall, erect sweet-smelling grass, with small seedheads bearing bronze-colored spikelets
Pollinator Garden Progress
Pollinator Garden location in Viking Ship Park. The garden area is about 3500 square feet of Canada Thistle, Day Lilies, Ground cover, grasses, and trees.
07-07-2025
View of the garden area from the South.
View of the garden area from the North. Thistles are chest high in some areas as removal begins.
07-28-2025
Some progress made removing Thistles and other plants.
08-18-2025
Bulk of Thistle and small trees removed. The deer in the area have helped keep the day lilies trimmed low. Removal of day lily roots/bulbs begins as ground is turned.
While turning the soil what appears to be a large clay pot is unearthed.
09-08-2025
First planting area cleared and raked. Ready for planting. Uncovered multiple cement slabs in the area. Built “River of Sticks” fence line on the edge of the planting area.
09-09-2025 – Many helpers available to help plant and water. Pollinators are off to a good start.
Resources for starting your own pollinator garden, pocket prairie, habitat, etc.
