Standard Pollinator Garden

The Standard Pollinator Garden Option provides the applicant with a pre-selected list of native plant species to include in a pollinator garden. All these plant species must be purchased with funding through this option. Other items eligible for purchase through this option are mulch, topsoil or related soil product.

The native plant species selected for this garden are suitable for growing conditions throughout Illinois and are good providers of nectar and pollen for native pollinators. They should be planted in a location that receives full sunshine for more than half of each day’s period of daylight. These are not plants to be grown in shady conditions. By planting all of the species in the list, you should have some plants in bloom from May through at least October. The more species variety in your garden, the more stable it will be and the more types of pollinators it will attract.

Plants should be purchased as plugs or seedlings grown in containers. Do not request seeds.

If you cannot find a species from the list as available for purchase, then select a species to replace it from the List of Optional Species. Please try to purchase plants that have been raised from seeds collected within 50 miles of your location. If you are unable to do so, purchase plants that have been raised from seeds collected or raised in Illinois or its neighboring states.

You will receive a PDF copy of your application as well as notification that the application has been received by the IDNR Division of Education. The application is due to the Division of Education no later than 11:59:59 PM on Wednesday, November 30, 2023.

If you have any problems or have any questions, please contact
IDNR Education at 217-524-4126 or email joe.bauer@illinois.gov.