Native Pollinator & Bird Garden in Melrose Park, PA

Project Overview

This Melrose Park garden was designed entirely with native plants, not just because they're beautiful, but because they're part of the local ecosystem. Every species was chosen to provide habitat, food, or seasonal interest, creating a landscape that will become even more beneficial with each growing season.

For this homeowner, the goal was simple: to replace non-native plants with a landscape that welcomed pollinators and birds. Today, the garden supports local wildlife, provides a colorful backdrop for their outdoor seating area, and has become a place where their child can grow up surrounded by butterflies, birds, and the changing seasons.

The Challenge

Before the native garden installation, there was a lack of pollinators and bird habitat in the yard. The space consisted of patches of grass, dirt, and non-native plants. This provided little to no ecological value to support birds or pollinators.

The few non-native plants in the yard were dormant during instillation to which Keystone Permaculture located those bulbs, dug around the garden, and then planted new plants. When planting the new native plants, we ensured they were planted densely enough to crowd out regrowth from the invasive plants.

before keystone permaculture completed garden design and installation

The Goal

Improve pollinator and bird habitat
Replace non-native plants
Create a thriving native garden
Support insects and birds throughout their life cycles
Provide blooms across multiple seasons
Create year-round visual interest
Reduce long-term maintenance needs

The Solution

Removed existing non-native plants
Dug throughout the garden to remove dormant bulbs
Installed native perennial shrubs, grasses, and flowers
Planted densely to help crowd out regrowth
Planted native species
Included spring bloomers
Included summer bloomers
Included fall bloomers
Added plants with winter interest
Designed the garden as a long strip along the driveway, patio, and garage

The family was ecstatic with the final result of their native garden. Today, the garden supports local wildlife, provides a colorful backdrop for their outdoor seating area, and has become a place where their child can grow up surrounded by butterflies, birds, and the changing seasons.

“The pictures don't really do it justice… We have so many fireflies at night! I find them everywhere…I can't even tell you, this garden is so beautiful.”

-Customer Testimonial

Ecological Benifits

Supports insects and birds throughout their life cycles
Provides food and habitat for pollinators
Provides habitat and food for birds
Native species increase wildlife value
Seasonal bloomers provide resources throughout the growing season
Winter-interest plants extend habitat value beyond summer

First-Year Results

Garden is installed and thriving
Significant increase in pollinator activity
Increased bird activity
Strong seasonal blooms
Garden looks good throughout the year
Dense plantings help reduce weeds
Correct plant varieties reduce the need for pruning
Correct native species reduce watering needs once established
The homeowner was especially happy with the increase in pollinators and the blooms