What is it? 

A small garden (pocket planting) or large grouping of plants native to Minnesota, typically native grasses and flowers.

What are the benefits?

• Long roots of native plants absorb more water, filter pollutants, and decrease soil compaction
• Provide habitat
• Hardy once established

Resources

• Blue Thumb - Native plant gardens
• MN DNR - Native plants

What is it?

A rain garden is typically a shallow basin planted with native species to help collect and absorb rain and runoff. 

What are the benefits?

• Filters and stores water
• Helps prevent flooding
• Helps keep lakes and streams clean
• Provides additional benefits of native plants

Resources

• Blue Thumb - Rain gardens 

What is it?

The most common turfgrass is Kentucky bluegrass. Fine fescues are other types of turfgrasses that require less maintenance and are more shade tolerant compared to Kentucky bluegrass.

What are the benefits?

• Less maintenance such as mowing, watering, and fertilizing than traditional turfgrass
• More shade tolerant

Resources

• UMN Extension - Fine fescue lawns

What is it?

Also called a pollinator lawn, this is a mix of turfgrass and low growing flowers. The flowers in the lawn provide food for pollinators. 

What are the benefits?

• Provides more nectar and pollen for pollinators than turfgrass
• Can still be used like a traditional lawn

Resources

• Blue Thumb - Pollinator Lawn
• UMN Extension - Bee Lawn

What is it?

Adding trees and shrubs to a landscape provides interest and a variety of benefits

What are the benefits?

• Provide shade for yards and houses
• Absorbs stormwater and prevents erosion
• Provides habitat for wildlife

Resources

• UMN Extension - Trees and shrubs

The city is promoting yard care practices that benefit water quality and pollinators. Yards in Bloom is Shoreview's campaign to encourage residents to try one or more that work for them and their yards, such as:

• Incorporate native plants into landscaping: grasses, flowers, shrubs, trees
• Install a rain garden
• Seed lawn with fescues
• Plant a bee lawn
• Mow only when needed

Let us know what you are doing in your yard this year to benefit water quality and pollinators and get a free yard sign at city hall while supplies last