Pollinator Haven Garden

Overview

Located at the heart of the N.C. Cooperative Extension-Lee County office, Pollinator Haven is more than just a garden—it’s a living classroom. Whether you are a seasoned horticulturalist or a curious neighbor, our garden offers a front-row seat to the intricate relationship between plants and the pollinators that sustain them.

The garden’s existence is the result of a group effort led by Horticulture Agent Minda Daughtry, Tracie Bowers (EMGV), and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers℠ of Lee County, who researched plant species, designed the landscape, cleared and prepared the soil and planted the garden. The garden is maintained by Amanda (Wilkins) Bratcher, the horticulture agent (as of August 2022), Tracie Bowers, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, and members of the Lee County community.

Content Contributed by Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Tracie Bowers

Visit other Extension Demonstration Gardens

Our Mission

The mission of Pollinator Haven is to inspire and educate the residents of Sanford and beyond. By demonstrating sustainable gardening practices, we aim to:

Raise awareness about the critical role pollinators play in our local ecosystem and agriculture.
Showcase a variety of native and pollinator-friendly plants.
Inspire and empower visitors to recreate healthy habitats in their own backyards.

Recommended Plant List for Lee County

Amsonia ssp. bluestar herb. peren. nectar
Andropogon ssp. bluestem grass host/habitat
Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat
Asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat
Baptisia ssp. wild indigo/ redneck lupine herb. peren. nectar
Chamaecrista fasciculata var. fasciculata partridge pea herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat
Chelone ssp. turtlehead herb. peren. nectar
Chrysogonum virginianum green and gold herb. peren. nectar
Conoclinium coelestinum (syn. Eupatorium coelestinum) blue mistflower herb. peren. nectar
Coreopsis ssp. tickseed herb. peren. nectar
Eragrostis hirsuta bigtop lovegrass grass host/habitat
Echinacea ssp. Coneflowers herb nectar, host/habitat
Eryngium yuccifolium var. yuccifolium rattlesnake master herb. peren. nectar
Eurybia divaricata (syn. Aster divaricatus) white wood aster herb. peren. nectar
Eutrochium ssp. (syn. Eupatorium ssp.) joe-pye weed herb. peren. nectar
Geranium maculatum spotted geranium herb. peren. nectar
Heliopsis helianthoides var. helianthoides smooth oxeye herb. peren. nectar
Hibiscus moscheutos crimson-eyed rose- mallow herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat
Liatris ssp. blazing star herb. peren. nectar
Lindera benzoin northern spicebush shrub, tree host/habitat
Lobelia ssp. Cardinal flower herb. peren. nectar
Lonicera sempervirens trumpet honeysuckle vine nectar, host/habitat
Monarda ssp. beebalm herb. peren. nectar
Oenothera fruticosa narrowleaf evening primrose herb. peren. nectar
Panicum virgatum switchgrass grass host/habitat
Penstemon ssp. beardtongue herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat
Phlox ssp. wild blue phlox herb. peren. nectar
Pycnanthemum ssp. mountainmint herb. peren. nectar
Rudbeckia ssp. black- eyed susan herb. peren. nectar
Sassafras albidum sassafras tree host/habitat
Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem grass host/habitat
Scutellaria ssp. skullcap herb. peren. nectar
Silene virginica fire pink herb. peren. nectar
Silphium ssp. rosinweed herb. peren. nectar
Solidago ssp. goldenrod herb. peren. nectar
Sorghastrum nutans indiangrass grass host/habitat
Symphyotrichum ssp. North American asters herb. peren. nectar
Thermopsis villosus Aaron's rod herb. peren. nectar
Vernonia ssp. stemless ironweed herb. peren. nectar
Zizia aurea golden alexanders herb. peren. nectar, host/habitat

Download this as a PDF

The Essentials of a Pollinator Habitat

What makes a garden a "haven"? At Pollinator Haven, we demonstrate the four key elements required for a thriving habitat. Understanding these pillars is the first step toward supporting biodiversity at home.

Food (Pollen & Nectar): We select plants that provide blooms across all seasons—from early spring through late fall—to ensure a steady food supply for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Water: Polliners need safe access to water. Our garden features shallow water sources where insects can drink without the risk of drowning.
Shelter: From standing stems to leaving the leaves, we show how providing cover and nesting sites helps pollinators survive the winter and raise the next generation.
Sustainable Practices: A true haven is a safe haven. We demonstrate how to manage pests without the use of harsh chemicals that can harm our winged visitors. We burn our weeds with fire and only spot-treat fire ant mounds.

Book a Tour!

Self-guided tours of Pollinator Haven are available during regular Extension hours. Free, docent-led tours and pollinator-related programming for groups are available by calling the N.C. Cooperative Extension Lee County Office at (919) 775-5624.

Looking for a deeper dive? Keep an eye on our event calendar for guided tours, Master Gardener workshops, and seasonal plant sales!

Articles about Pollinators from North Carolina

Tags: pollinator, pollinator census, pollinator conservation, Pollinator Education, pollinator friendly plants, pollinator garden, pollinator gardening, pollinators