Skating Gardens at Sawyer Point
The skating rink at Sawyer Point is brimming with life thanks to the careful planning and consideration of Cincy Parks team and their ecologically-minded approaches to conservation and land management in all of our parks.
Native pollinator plants in the beds along the skating building provide a lively habitat for bees, butterflies, and birds. Some of the plants you’ll find at the skating rink include:
| Plant Name | Pollinators Supported | Why It Matters | Best Growing Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica) | Bees, butterflies | Unique orange blooms; seeds feed birds in fall | Full sun; well-drained soil |
| Chelone (Turtlehead) | Bumblebees, especially long-tongued types | Native wildflower; great late-summer nectar source | Part shade; moist soil |
| Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) | Skipper butterflies, beetles | Host plant for skipper larvae; adds winter interest | Full sun; dry to medium soil |
| Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) | Butterflies, hummingbirds | Fragrant blooms; important mid-summer nectar source | Full sun; rich, moist soil |
| Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) | Wasps, bees, beetles | Bold, sculptural native; attracts pollinators often overlooked | Full sun; tolerant of drought |
| Baptisia (False Indigo) | Bumblebees, native bees | Early-season nectar; nitrogen-fixing legume improves soil | Full sun; drought-tolerant once established |
| Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.) | Bees, butterflies | Late-season nectar critical for migrating monarchs | Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil |
| Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus) | Beetles, flies | Fragrant, maroon flowers; supports pollinators often underappreciated | Part shade; moist soil |
| Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) | Monarchs, bees | Essential host plant for Monarch butterflies; nectar for many species | Full sun; well-drained or moist soil depending on species |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | Bees, butterflies, goldfinches | Long bloom time; seed heads feed birds in fall/winter | Full sun; average soil |
| Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) | Bumblebees, ants | Host plant for sulphur butterflies; fixes nitrogen | Full sun; dry to sandy soils |
| Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia guaranitica) | Hummingbirds, bees | Irresistible to hummingbirds; long bloom season | Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil |
| Angelonia (Annual) | Bees, butterflies | Summer-long color; nectar-rich, low-maintenance annual | Full sun; moist, well-drained soil |
| Million Bells (Calibrachoa, Annual) | Bees, butterflies | Trailing flowers ideal for containers; attracts small native bees | Full sun; needs regular water |
| Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) | Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies | Aromatic native; powdery mildew-resistant varieties now available | Full sun; moist, rich soil |
| Lemon Boy Elderberry (Sambucus hybrid) | Bees, beneficial insects | Umbels of small flowers support pollinators; fruit for wildlife | Full sun to part shade; adaptable but likes moist soil |
| Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) | Not a primary pollinator plant | Provides habitat and nesting structure; supports moth caterpillars | Full sun; cold-hardy, prefers well-drained soil |