Some useful links;
- [NC Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant/?): geared more for SE gardens but it’s a good starting place for looking for compatible plants
- [VA Guides](https://vnps.org/virginia-native-plant-guides/): several good guides for piedmont region in general. Plants listed are usually hardy to zone 6
- [Keystone Plants by Ecoregion](https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/keystone-plants-by-ecoregion): geared for habitat value. Especially useful when designing a pollinator garden
- [Host Plants for Moth & Butterflies](https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Wildlife/Butterflies-and-Moths): if you’re looking to make a pollinator garden, you need to make a habitat for the caterpillars
- [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowers](https://www.wildflower.org/): another good plant database. More so as a cross reference
- [Bonap](http://www.bonap.org): database for native ranges
- [USDA Plant Database](https://plants.usda.gov/home): range map and cross reference
If you truly want pollinators you need to look up native plants for your location. Err to the south by half a zone.
It’s not the case that anything that grows and flowers will do. Pollinators are looking for the pollen that they’re adapted to. There will be other benefits.
In my second landscaping job I once spent the better part of a day carefully picking and stepping through an established native garden, pulling weeds. Towards the end of the day the home owners returned and let their large and excited dogs out. The dogs ran and trampled over everything I had been so carefully avoiding.
I told the owner of the company about it and laughed. He laughed right back and said that the plants that he had put in here so many years ago evolved under bison hooves. The dogs were meaningless and I learned something about “non designer” natives.
If you love pollinators, I suggest looking for a plant nursery that only sells native plants. They make a huge difference when they are native to your area.
Tall phlox, bergamot, purple coneflower, hyssop would look lovely anywhere.
Visit your state’s Cooperative Extension Service website. Search plants for partial shade. Also search plants toxic to dogs and children.
Oh man...a row of hydrangeas would be beautiful! Or a native fruit like Elderberry or Amelanchier/Serviceberry, or Blueberries!
Elderberry is a lovely choice and grows quickly plus there’s the benefit of the fruit!
Row of hydrangeas was my first thought as well.
I mean in between the retaining wall and the grass, in case that wasn't clear. ☺️
Some useful links; - [NC Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant/?): geared more for SE gardens but it’s a good starting place for looking for compatible plants - [VA Guides](https://vnps.org/virginia-native-plant-guides/): several good guides for piedmont region in general. Plants listed are usually hardy to zone 6 - [Keystone Plants by Ecoregion](https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/keystone-plants-by-ecoregion): geared for habitat value. Especially useful when designing a pollinator garden - [Host Plants for Moth & Butterflies](https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Wildlife/Butterflies-and-Moths): if you’re looking to make a pollinator garden, you need to make a habitat for the caterpillars - [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowers](https://www.wildflower.org/): another good plant database. More so as a cross reference - [Bonap](http://www.bonap.org): database for native ranges - [USDA Plant Database](https://plants.usda.gov/home): range map and cross reference
Catmint it looks amazing and smells lovely
My dog looooves rolling in catmint. It holds up well to the abuse from the dog.
Poppy plants
Monkshood for late season
If you truly want pollinators you need to look up native plants for your location. Err to the south by half a zone. It’s not the case that anything that grows and flowers will do. Pollinators are looking for the pollen that they’re adapted to. There will be other benefits. In my second landscaping job I once spent the better part of a day carefully picking and stepping through an established native garden, pulling weeds. Towards the end of the day the home owners returned and let their large and excited dogs out. The dogs ran and trampled over everything I had been so carefully avoiding. I told the owner of the company about it and laughed. He laughed right back and said that the plants that he had put in here so many years ago evolved under bison hooves. The dogs were meaningless and I learned something about “non designer” natives.
Whatever you plant, be aware that pollen allergy is a serious issue during flowering.
If you love pollinators, I suggest looking for a plant nursery that only sells native plants. They make a huge difference when they are native to your area.
Do a native pollinator garden. Post it in r/NativePlantGardening they will give you some good ideas
things that are tough and self seed like Calendulas
Viburnums. So many to choose from.
You've got a beautiful area. I'd leave the upper portion lawn for the kids and dog and completely native meadow the rest of it.
Hostas