The Bloomington, MN Homeowner’s Guide to Native Gardening

A native plant garden is more than just a trend—it’s a way for Bloomington homeowners to create a low-maintenance sanctuary that supports local wildlife. By planting native, your yard becomes a vital link in the “Bumble Bee Highway,” providing a safe corridor for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s endangered state bee.

Because native species have evolved alongside our local climate and soil, they offer a “built-in” resilience that imported ornamentals simply can’t match. Below is your professional guide to designing a thriving, native-first landscape in Bloomington.

Native plants have been part of the Minnesota landscape since before European colonization. For a Bloomington homeowner, they offer several “unfair” advantages:

• Drought Resistance: Their deep root systems (some reaching 15 feet deep!) allow them to thrive during dry spells without extra watering.

• Low Maintenance: Once established, they rarely need fertilizers or pesticides.

• Pollinator Support: They provide the specific nectar and host-habitat required by native birds and butterflies.

• Stormwater Control: Deep roots break up our local clay soil, allowing rain to soak in rather than running off into the Minnesota River or local streams.

The key to a professional-looking native garden is “right plant, right place”.

For Sun-Drenched Front Yards

For Shady or Wooded Areas

• Wild Columbine: Features unique red and yellow flowers; tolerates a wide range of soils and attracts hummingbirds.
• Wild Geranium: A well-behaved, shorter plant (under 3ft) that fits perfectly into traditional cottage-style gardens.
• Zigzag Goldenrod: A slender plant with zigzagging stems that brightens up shaded areas in late summer.
• Virginia Bluebells: Early spring blooms that provide critical nectar for newly emerged insects.

To ensure your garden looks intentional and complies with Bloomington City Ordinances, follow these principles:

• Plant in “Drifts”: Group 3–5 of the same species together. This is more attractive to people and makes it easier for bees to find food.

• Add “Cues to Care”: Use structured elements like a stone path or a mowed edge. Under Bloomington’s Managed Natural Landscape rules, your plants must be set back 5 feet from property lines (unless you have a fence) and kept under 4 feet tall if they are within 5 feet of a public sidewalk.

• Layer for Impact: Use groundcovers (like sedges) to fill gaps and block weeds, then layer mid-height perennials and taller shrubs (like Serviceberry) above them.

• Stagger Bloom Times: Select plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall to keep the garden beautiful year-round.

You don’t have to fund your transformation alone. There are several active grants available for Bloomington residents:

• Lawns to Legumes: This state program offers up to $400 in reimbursement for residents creating pollinator habitat. Applications typically open in the spring and fall.

• Watershed District Grants: Depending on where you live in Bloomington, the Nine Mile Creek or Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed Districts offer “Stewardship Grants” that can cover 50% to 75% of your project costs.

• Where to Buy: Local nurseries like Bachmans or Gertens specialize in local ecotypes that are genetically adapted to our region.

Creating a garden that supports the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee and thrives in our Minnesota climate doesn’t have to be a DIY headache. Whether you want to replace a patch of struggling turf or design a full-scale “Managed Natural Landscape” that stays within Bloomington city code, Urban Landworks is here to help.

Located right here in Bloomington, the team at Urban Landworks combines over 20 years of local design experience with a passion for sustainable, earth-friendly practices. From navigating local watershed grants to professional installation and maintenance, they can turn your vision into a “pollinator highway” masterpiece.

Let’s grow something beautiful together.

• Visit Us: UrbanLandworks.com

• Call Today: (952) 884-1672

• Serving: Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Surrounding Areas Of Hennepin, Scott, Ramsey, Dakota County, Minnesota (MN)

Get a Quote and Start Your Native Garden Journey Today!