BE PS 456

Elementary students of BE PS 456 have planted native and pollinator-friendly plants in the front garden and 5th level rooftop terrace as part of a hands-on environmental learning initiative. The project gives students the opportunity to learn about urban ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable gardening practices while helping create green spaces that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Students participate in planting, maintaining, and observing the garden throughout the school year, fostering environmental stewardship and outdoor learning opportunities for the school community. In addition to engaging students, the project aims to educate the wider community about the importance of pollinators and the role native plants play in supporting healthy urban ecosystems.

Native pollinators

* Swamp Mallow - Hibiscus moscheutos
* Heuchera — Heuchera
* Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' — Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’
* Pennsylvania Sedge — Carex pensylvanica
* Common Milkweed — Asclepias syriaca
* Swamp Milkweed — Asclepias incarnata
* Butterfly Weed — Asclepias tuberosa
* Anise Hyssop — Agastache foeniculum
* Sumac — Rhus
* Golden Alexanders — Zizia aurea
* Yarrow — Achillea millefolium
* Purple Coneflower — Echinacea purpurea
* Pale Purple Coneflower — Echinacea pallida
* Cutleaf Coneflower — Rudbeckia laciniata
* Black-eyed Susan — Rudbeckia hirta
* Rudbekia fugida
* Bleeding Heart — Lamprocapnos spectabilis
* Columbine — Aquilegia canadensis
* Blue Moon Phlox — Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’
* Moss Phlox — Phlox subulata
* Blackberry — Rubus
* Blueberry — Vaccinium
* Purple Passionflower — Passiflora incarnata
* Trumpet Honeysuckle — Lonicera sempervirens
* Spiderwort — Tradescantia
* Anemone — Anemone
* Rue Anemone — Thalictrum thalictroides
* Smooth Blue Aster — Symphyotrichum laeve
* White Wood Aster — Eurybia divaricata
* Blue Wood Aster — Symphyotrichum cordifolium
* Foxglove Beardtongue — Penstemon digitalis
* Goldenrod — Solidago
* Bee Balm — Monarda didyma
* Joe Pye Weed - Eutrochium purpureum

*Rosa Carolina

*Obedient Plan-Physostegia virginiana

*Liatris