Pollinator Patch Coming to Bluemont Park

Published on June 09, 2017

Nearly 500 native plants will be planted on a 2,200 sq ft patch along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail by the Bluemont Park parking lot on June 20 at 10 a.m. thanks to a partnership with Arlington County, Dominion Energy, NOVA Parks and community volunteers. The space is currently just turf grass and weeds, but in honor of National Pollinator Week (beginning June 19) the space will be transformed into a meadow for Arlington’s pollinators and passersby to enjoy.  Pollinators, such as bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles and hummingbirds, are key to our food supply. In fact, one out of every three bites of food we enjoy is due to the direct actions of an animal pollinator. Three-quarters of all plants depend on animal pollinators in order to reproduce. The Arlington patch will include only native plants because studies show that native plants are four or more times more attractive to native pollinators and wildlife than exotic plants.

The bee balm’s red flowers have a unique shape.