Pollinator Six Packs

Oregon has over 500 species of native bees and around 130 species of butterfly visit Central Oregon each summer?  But those aren’t the only pollinators in Central Oregon - we also have hummingbirds, flies, beetles and other insects that play an important role in forest and shrubland health, crop production and the local food chain. Globally, pollinator species are estimated to be responsible for the successful reproduction of around 85% of flowering plants including 35% of food crops!  

Did you know that not all pollen is created equal - different plants produce pollen with varying amounts of proteins, fats, carbs and macronutrients.   And recent research has shown that pollinators seek out a variety of flowers to balance their diet and that their needs change as the seasons change. Our native flora has evolved along with our pollinators to provide the right nutrient balance at the right time.  Which is why it is so important that pollinators have access to native plants, particularly within our urban landscapes, where continued growth removes more and more of the pollinator's native habitat and food sources.

Having the right plants available for our community to plant pollinator gardens that support our native wildlife is critical to making the biggest impact.  That’s why we created Pollinator Packs.

I need images of xeric and mesic pack and then maybe one of many packs in the greenhouse.

The HDHC Pollinator Packs come in two different flavors:

• a xeric pack containing local plant species suitable for dryland areas

• a mesic pollinator pack containing local plant species suitable for wetter soils.

The plants in each six pack are carefully chosen to provide plant diversity and pollen for a variety of species and will grow well together in the same environmental conditions.

Xeric pack containing

• plant 1

• plant 2

• plant 3

• plant 4

• plant 5

• plant 6

How to get pollinator six packs

We begin growing the six-packs from seed in March with the first wave being available in early June at WinterCreek Nursery.  Sign up for our newsletter to find out exactly when they are available.

If you have a big project or want to purchase a large number of six-packs for your organization, please contact us at WinterCreek nursery:

(541) 420-0083

wintercreek@highdeserthort.org

Support this Program

We want to be able to provide these six-packs for free!  In 2025,HDHC partnered with the City of Bend Water Wise program to grow and donate 200 six packs of native pollinator plants, providing over 1200 plants for local pollinators and our community.  In 2026, we plan to expand this program and grow 500 pollinator packs to distribute to schools, community members and local businesses.  3,000 plants will provide an estimated 6,500 square feet of native pollinator habitat that will support thousands of insects and hummingbirds.