Ask EcoBeneficial!

Question:

I live on Cape Cod and am looking for pollinator attracting plants. My soil is very acidic with a pH of 5.2. The planting area gets 8-10 hours of sun daily, is dry, and next to the road.

Answer:

Those are pretty tough conditions that you have!  The soil pH is very low, which will greatly limit your plant choices. The roadside location means that you will need salt-tolerant plants.

Here are some native plants that will attract pollinators and should handle your landscape conditions. I have included a few plants that will be marginal at your pH, but are often found on Cape Cod in similar conditions:

Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow)

Anaphalis margaritacea (Pearly Everlasting) – pH is marginal

Antennaria neglecta (Field Pussytoes)  – pH is marginal

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)

Eurybia spectabilis (Showy Aster)

Morella pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry) dioecious plant – you need male and female plants

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) – pH is marginal

Prunus maritima (Beach Plum) (plant several for cross pollination)  – your pH is marginal

Rosa virginiana  (Virginia Rose) (pollen)

Rhus copallinium (Winged Sumac)

Solidago sempervirens  (Seaside Goldenrod)

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Heath Aster)

Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry)

The pollinators will appreciate your efforts!

Best,

Kim Eierman at EcoBeneficial!