A long narrow strip of commercial land running alongside a brick public sidewalk has been planted with native shrubs and herbaceous woodland species nestled among bee-friendly habitat feature such as boulders and "fallen" logs.
  • Location: St. Anthony Main Neighborhood, Minneapolis, MN
  • Property Type: Commercial
  • Year: 2022
  • Project Size: 2,080 sq. ft.
  • Services: Design, Install, Maintenance

About The Project

The owners of this property contacted us to design and install a native species pollinator garden on a narrow, steeply-sloped bed running the length of a public walk near St Anthony Main. The client’s radical vision was to turn the stark modernist planting of mature locust trees and rock mulch into a vibrant pollinator habitat, specifically designed to provide food and shelter for native bee species.

Inspired by the client’s vision, we transformed the challenging site from a sterile strip of land into a vital patch of urban pollinator habitat. Instead of rock mulch, a prairie pollinator meadow now flanks both entrances – taking advantage of the sunnier edges and providing the bulk of the pollen and nectar resources for visiting bees (and a wide range of other native insects). The shade of the central garden has been redesigned as a rich woodland habitat, with flowering understory trees, bee-friendly shrubs and low-growing herbaceous species. In this year-round bee haven, carefully selected groundcover species supply protection for ground-dwelling bees, while large stones and “fallen” logs provide dwelling opportunities for crevice nesting and wood tunneling bee species.

In coming years, informational signage will highlight the unique ecological elements of the garden to engage and inspire passing pedestrians.

A newly planted meadow of pollinator-friendly grasses and native flowering species punctuated by four large boulders which provide nesting habitat for bees.
A newly planted woodland understory nestled within scattered limestone boulders, "fallen" logs, and other pollinator friendly habitat elements.
A newly planted meadow of pollinator-friendly grasses and native flowering species punctuated by four large boulders which provide nesting habitat for bees.
A newly planted woodland understory nestled within scattered limestone boulders, "fallen" logs, and other pollinator friendly habitat elements.

Inspired by the client’s vision, we transformed the challenging site from a sterile strip of land into a vital patch of urban pollinator habitat.

Gallery

A steep slope of barren dry soil bounded by a block-long public walk and a tall retaining wall in a commercial pedestrian zone in the City of Minneapolis.
Dozens of limestone boulders and multiple piles of logs are lined up along the long and narrow planting strip, waiting to be installed in the urban pollinator garden.
Limestone boulders, "fallen" logs, squat stumps and woody shrubs await final placement in the habitat garden.
A large limestone boulder with a lifted edge, exposing the soil bellow, may provide dwelling habitat for crevice and soil nesting bee species.
Two limestone boulders, a pile of cut logs and a collection of native grasses are grouped together in the pollinator garden creating a complex "island" of urban habitat.
Still in their plastic nursery pots, scores of woodland groundcover species including wild geranium and oak sedge are lined up in loose rows waiting to be planted in the shady woodland garden.
Grasses and flowering species, still in plastic nursery pots, are lined up in loose rows waiting to be planted in the pollinator meadow.
Two "fallen" logs and two stumps with dozens of holes drilled in them are nestled among dwarf bush honeysuckle and wild geranium in the newly planted woodland garden - awaiting future bee tenants.

Gallery

A steep slope of barren dry soil bounded by a block-long public walk and a tall retaining wall in a commercial pedestrian zone in the City of Minneapolis.
Dozens of limestone boulders and multiple piles of logs are lined up along the long and narrow planting strip, waiting to be installed in the urban pollinator garden.
Limestone boulders, "fallen" logs, squat stumps and woody shrubs await final placement in the habitat garden.
A large limestone boulder with a lifted edge, exposing the soil bellow, may provide dwelling habitat for crevice and soil nesting bee species.
Two limestone boulders, a pile of cut logs and a collection of native grasses are grouped together in the pollinator garden creating a complex "island" of urban habitat.
Still in their plastic nursery pots, scores of woodland groundcover species including wild geranium and oak sedge are lined up in loose rows waiting to be planted in the shady woodland garden.
Grasses and flowering species, still in plastic nursery pots, are lined up in loose rows waiting to be planted in the pollinator meadow.
Two "fallen" logs and two stumps with dozens of holes drilled in them are nestled among dwarf bush honeysuckle and wild geranium in the newly planted woodland garden - awaiting future bee tenants.
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