Stacey Cramp Photography

About five years ago, I designated an area along a fence in my small suburban South Portland yard as a pollinator garden, which is really a fancy way of saying I let it go wild! After beginning to learn more about the importance of native and wild plants for a healthy ecosystem, I started removing non-native perennials and planting, or encouraging the spread of, plants that are either native to Maine or are at least native East Coast wildflowers. Echinacea is not native to Maine, but it is a pollinator magnet so I encouraged its spread, along with the addition of Maine natives like New England asters, butterfly weed, and common milkweed. Within two years, I noticed a significant increase in birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects in my garden. This image was taken during the summer of 2017 when painted lady butterflies arrived in droves for weeks on end. Last year brought more monarchs than I have ever seen before. I love that I can encourage biodiversity while also having a colorful, vibrant area that would otherwise be wasted space. At season’s end when the native plants’ blooms are spent, I leave them standing so they can spread their seeds and provide food and shelter for wildlife through the winter.

-Stacey Cramp

This article first appeared in the Spring & Summer 2020 issue of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES magazine. Subscribe today!