Next time you’re searching for a parking spot in the Zoo’s lot, see if you can spot a particularly beautiful piece of land. It’s our latest pollinator garden!
This space highlights a common issue in urban landscaping – a green space that doesn’t meet environmental or aesthetic needs, said Landscape Technician Destiny Champion. This particular area didn’t have any meaningful habitat or food sources for native pollinators like bees, butterflies or hummingbirds.
“In a region where native plants thrive and pollinator support is crucial, this bump-out reflects a wasted opportunity to merge form with ecological function,” Destiny said.
“Plus, the parking lot is the first thing guests see before coming into our Zoo! Why not make it beautiful and useful?”
Destiny chose plants that are native to Florida, making them well adapted to the local soil, climate and rainfall. Natives require less irrigation, fertilizer and pest control, aligning with sustainable zoo and conservation practices. Donations from individuals in our community made it possible for our horticulture team to purchase a water cart for hard-to-reach plant areas – and they use water from areas around the Zoo to conserve city/well water!
Plant species include: blanket flower, sweet goldenrod, powder buff mimosa, dune sunflower, butterfly milkweed, coontie palm, bahama cassia, blazing star, blue eyed grass, strokes aster, salvia, lantana and fairy hibiscus.
Pollinator gardens are particularly important in our local community because they provide habitat for pollinators that are losing space due to development. This pollinator garden supports the vulnerable migratory monarch butterfly with its milkweed as well as the Atala butterfly with its coontie palms.
Only three days after planting the garden, Destiny spotted a caterpillar on the milkweed!
Thinking of growing your own butterfly garden? Consider native plants to your local climate and soil – they provide the right nectar, pollen and host plants for local pollinators. Diversity creates a healthier, more active garden, so consider picking plants that flower at different times of the year. Mix flowers, shrubs, and even small trees to attract different species of pollinators.
“By planting flowers that bloom throughout the year, we’re not only creating a beautiful space for guests, but also helping sustain the local food web that so much of Florida’s wildlife relies on,” Destiny said.
Our Horticulture team hopes to slowly add more pollinator-friendly spaces in the parking lot over time. These spaces take a lot of planning, labor and ongoing care (especially when you have a whole Zoo to care for!), but they’re something this team is passionate about! Keep an eye out for more soon!