Mercer Island Pollinator-Friendly Garden Services
Looking for a garden that buzzes with life while saving your weekends for relaxation? We specialize in crafting native, low-water, pollinator habitats that not only look fantastic but also flourish through Mercer Island’s rainy winters and sunny summers.
What’s the Problem?
- A garden full of blooms for just a few weeks, leaving you with barren patches for months.
- Lawns that take over without offering nectar, seeds, or shelter for much-needed wildlife.
- Plants that either get scorched in the summer heat or waterlogged in winter’s clay.
- Chemical sprays that wipe out the very pollinators you want to attract.
Our Pollinator-First Design & Install Approach (What Works in Mercer Island)
- Continuous Bloom (10-11 months) — We layer early, mid, and late-season nectar plants for a vibrant display year-round.
- Native-First Palette — We carefully select native plants that thrive in our region, complemented by a few resilient companions for added variety.
- Blocks, Not Polka-Dots — Plants are grouped in drifts of 3–7 to encourage foraging and minimize weeding.
- Right Plant, Right Place — We assess factors like sun exposure, wind patterns, drainage, and mature size to create a harmonious layout.
- Soil, Then Mulch — We amend the soil lightly as needed and apply 2-3 inches of mulch, ensuring it stays clear from plant stems.
- No Fabric in Beds — We avoid landscaping fabric to promote healthy soil and nesting opportunities, using it only under gravel paths.
- Water Smart — Our simple drip irrigation is zoned for deep, infrequent watering that encourages robust root growth.
- Shelter Matters — We retain hollow stems, twigs, and bare soil to provide nesting sites for ground-nesting bees.
- No Neonics, Minimal Pesticides — Our integrated pest management (IPM) approach prioritizes the protection of beneficial insects.
- Dark-Sky Lighting — We use warm, shielded path lights to maintain a natural environment for night pollinators.
PNW Pollinator Plant Palette (Mercer Island-Proven)
Sunny / Dry (Hellstrips & Hot Corners)
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)
- Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape)
- Ribes sanguineum (Red-flowering currant)
- Eriophyllum lanatum (Oregon sunshine)
- Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’, Nepeta (Catmint)
- Echinacea purpurea, Gaillardia aristata, Achillea millefolium (PNW yarrow)
Part Shade
- Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen huckleberry)
- Gaultheria shallon (Salal)
- Polystichum munitum (Sword fern) for structure
- Acer circinatum (Vine maple)
- Heuchera spp., Vancouveria hexandra (Inside-out flower)
- Helleborus (Winter nectar bridge)
Moist Pockets / Rain-Garden Zones
- Cornus sericea (Red-twig dogwood)
- Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific ninebark)
- Spiraea douglasii (Douglas spirea)
- Carex obnupta (Slough sedge)
- Camassia quamash (Camas) — a spring pollinator magnet
Bloom Calendar (Always Something on the Menu)
| Season | Flowering Standouts |
|---|---|
| Late Winter–Early Spring | Oregon grape, hellebore, red-flowering currant, heather |
| Late Spring | Ceanothus, catmint, penstemon, mock orange |
| Summer | Coneflower, blanketflower, yarrow, lavender, monarda |
| Late Summer–Fall | Douglas aster, rudbeckia, sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, goldenrod |
| Winter Interest | Evergreen structure, seed heads for finches, twig color |
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Routine)
- Weed Suppression — We hand-weed on a scheduled basis; targeted pre-emergents are used only where necessary.
- Mulch Management — We maintain a thick layer of 2-3 inches; refreshing thin spots while keeping mulch off plant crowns.
- Prune with Purpose — Pruning is timed around bloom and berry seasons—no hedging of pollinator shrubs!
- Watering Tune — We start in spring, perform deep checks in summer, taper in fall, and shut down for winter.
- Leave Some Habitat — We maintain 12-18 inches of hollow stems over winter and leave a bit of leaf litter for wildlife.
We’re a low-maintenance landscaping crew. Our goal is to minimize issues between visits and reduce your workload.
Service Cadences (Choose What Fits You)
- Quarterly — Spring/fall deep clean + two tune-ups throughout the year.
- Bi-Monthly — A solid balance for most Mercer Island yards.
(If you’ve just installed new plants or are battling heavy weeds, we can kick off with monthly visits for 90 days and then taper off to your chosen schedule.)
What Annual Maintenance Includes
- Defined bed edges (we’ll keep everything looking sharp)
- Targeted invasive control (say goodbye to ivy, blackberry, and bindweed)
- Seasonal pruning and deadheading strategy (some seed heads stay for the birds!)
- Drip checks, emitter fixes, and timer updates
- Plant health scans (monitoring for rot, pests, and sun/wind burn) with clear next steps
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- Continuous Bloom Stays Continuous — Our timing and cuts keep the flowers coming.
- Deeper Roots, Lower Water Bills — Fewer, better waterings win the day.
- Real Habitat — Nectar, pollen, berries, and shelter through the seasons.
- Clean, Modern Look — Crisp edges + consistent mulch = instant curb appeal.
How It Works
- Free Estimate — We can conduct a photo/video consultation or a quick walkthrough; no hidden fees here!
- Set Your Schedule — Choose quarterly, bi-monthly, or monthly visits that fit your lifestyle.
- Service Day — We’ll install or tune: plant, mulch, edge, and optimize your irrigation.
- Follow-Up — We provide simple care tips, check-ins, and easy add-ons whenever you want them.
Why Mercer Island Chooses Neat & Tidy
- A local crew that knows the hills, alleys, and tight driveways of Mercer Island.
- Licensed & insured for your peace of mind.
- Upfront pricing — labor, hauling, and disposal included.
- We pride ourselves on being on-time, respectful, and clean.
- Green-first approach to keep landfill waste low.
Ready for a yard that buzzes?
Call or text Neat & Tidy for a pollinator-friendly design and maintenance plan that looks amazing and lasts. We’ll keep it tidy—so you can truly enjoy your space!
