The raised bed of annuals just east of the shelterhouse patio is fun to watch as it fills out over the growing season. Each spring, the CPOR garden supervisor designs a dramatic combination of plant colors and shapes to greet visitors. This year, plants were chosen because they support pollinators.

The focus on pollinators this year is timely because June is National Pollinators Month. The month encourages people to protect pollinators by providing them with the right environment in terms of the right pollination plants and avoiding the use of pesticides. By protecting pollinators, we will, in turn, ensure the steady production of food resources.

Watch for hummingbirds visiting the garden. They especially like the Salvia.

Garden volunteers assisted with this year’s planting on May 18. The 2022 floral selection: Rockin’ Fuchsia Salvia, Diamond Frost Euphorbia and Bat-faced Cuphea.

Rockin’ Fuchsia Salvia has won numerous horticultural awards, including top performer and best pollinator-friendly annual. This plant makes a great addition to a border or pollinator garden. The pretty flowers will attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The plant is heat and drought tolerant, plus it’s deer resistant.

This variety of salvia can be grown in full to part sun and will continue to bloom all season. It will grow to a height between 24-36” and a 24-30” spread with an upright habit.

Diamond Frost Euphorbia looks delicate but, in fact, is very hardy. The plant has sprays of airy white flowers that grow in a mound. It will continue to bloom all season and rebounds quickly after shearing. This annual does best in sun or part sun conditions, is heat and drought tolerant, and it’s deer resistant.

This variety grows 12-18” high with a spread of 12-18.” It does well in mixed containers, hanging baskets or planted in the landscape.

Bat-faced Cuphea is the common name for this species due to the resemblance of its flowers to tiny bat faces. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Native to Mexico, the plant is sold as an annual in more northern growing zones.

The plant grows 12-18” high with an equal spread. It will tolerate dry conditions but will remain fresh all season if watered sufficiently. It does well in full sun in the ground or in containers. The plant can be sheared or pinched back if it becomes too leggy and will continue to produce new blooms late into the growing season.