Flower Garden

A flower garden planted in an otherwise unremarkable piece of property.

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• Can you identify any species of plants in this garden?
• Why did the gardener use those kinds of plants?
• Why would you want to attract bees to a flower garden?
• What is pollen? 
• How do plants and bees use pollen?
• What kinds of flowers might work well to attract bees?
• Would honeybees benefit from this garden?

Classroom Suggestion

• Ask students to journal the answer to the guiding questions in their science journals. After a few minutes, discuss with students the purpose of planting a random flower garden out in “the middle of nowhere.” Discuss what plants might do well with little to no care or maintenance. What plants will survive with little or no water? What plants will survive with an overabundance of water? How might the plants in this remote garden benefit pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds? What type of mammals might also benefit from having an active flower garden nearby? Can you think of any amphibious species that might benefit from a flower garden? Why would they benefit from the garden? 

Related Resources

• Pollinators and our Gardens: Burpee Seed Company explains pollination in our gardens.
• How to Plant a Pollinator Garden: Author explains the how and why of planting a pollinator garden.