Summer Garden Update: Beauty, Bees, and a Few Bold Blossoms
Compiled from June updates by the Creation Care Ministry
If you’ve walked past the Marian Pollinator Garden lately, you’ve probably noticed it’s looking vibrant—and a little wild! As our parishioner-tended gardens grow into summer, we’re seeing firsthand the power of nature… and sometimes the persistence of a few overenthusiastic plants.
What started as a carefully planned mix of native and pollinator-friendly perennials has become a lesson in humility and ecosystem awareness. Plants like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), cinquefoil (Potentilla fructosa), kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos), and a couple of carefully chosen roses have taken root beautifully. But some others have proven more… ambitious.
Garden Guests That Overstay
Take lupine (Lupinus), for example—gorgeous in bloom with its purple flower spikes, like the one you’ll see in front of Emilio in the “eagles” photo. While stunning, it’s become a bit of a problem child. Since being planted in 2022, it has quietly spread by seed to other parts of the garden. Just this week, we removed and bagged as many of its seed pod stalks as possible to keep it from taking over.
Another surprise came from a 2023 pollinator seed packet that included Chinese forget-me-nots—which we’ve since learned are invasive—and tickseed (Coreopsis). Though cheerful and bright, the tall yellow tickseed has taken to flopping over and smothering our other plants. You’ll see the cleared pile to the right of the bench in the latest photos.
Garden Wins and Future Plans
Not all seed mix surprises were unwelcome. The orange poppies and pot marigold (Calendula) have been delightful additions, attracting pollinators and adding bursts of color without crowding their neighbors.
As for the beloved zinnias planted by our Life Teen crew back in 2022—they didn’t return this year. We may reintroduce them for 2025. Their steady blooms and pollinator appeal made them a favorite.
A New Home for Raspberries
Earlier this year, we made a big change in the Garden of the Good Shepherd. To make more space for produce that is sturdy enough to be harvested, stored, and delivered to the Storehouse Foodbank, we needed to remove our raspberry plants. Rather than compost them, we offered them up for adoption to parishioners—and we’re happy to report at least one success story!
Emilio took a few home, and as you can see in the photos, they’re thriving. His family is looking forward to their first substantial harvest (they’ve already taste-tested a few!), and he spotted some happy pollinators visiting the blossoms just a few weeks ago.
Let’s Grow Together
Do you have a favorite pollinator flower you’d recommend? We’re always learning and adjusting our planting plans to better care for the plants, pollinators, and people who visit our gardens.
Want to get involved? Whether you have a green thumb or just enjoy being outside, there’s a place for you in our garden ministries. Every plant, every hand, and every moment of care makes a difference.
Photos below: a glimpse of what’s blooming—and booming—this summer.
