Eastern Region Viewing Area

Tell City Ranger District Pollinator Garden

Forest: Hoosier National Forest

District: Tell City Ranger District

Description: As part of an Eastern Region FY 2008 Native Plant Funding proposal, the Hoosier National Forest began the creation of a native plant pollinator garden at the Tell City Ranger District. Roughly one-half of the garden received six-inch container stock plants that provided a brilliant display of colors to mid October 2008. The remaining garden consists of smaller plants, which should provide additional blooming species in 2009. Interpretive signs and species’ labels provide visitors with informative details about the plants in the garden. In subsequent years, Forest Service personnel will collect seed from the garden for use in restoration and revegetation projects on the Forest.

All of the species selected for inclusion in the garden are native to southern Indiana and are readily used by local pollinator species. The bulk of the species are “prairie-like” plants that typically occur in barrens and/or dry forest plant communities found on the Hoosier National Forest. These mid-summer to early autumn plants include purple and yellow coneflower, two species of blazingstar, asters, butterfly weed, tall coreopsis, prairie dock, rattlesnake master. Intermixed among these species are other plants that typically grow in more moist conditions such as great blue lobelia, obedient plant, foxglove beardtongue, golden Alexanders, purple meadow rue, Culver’s root, columbine, wild bergamot, and black-eyed susan.

Take a quick stop to get familiar with these beautiful species before heading out to view wildflowers in their natural conditions on the Hoosier National Forest. Other visitors can come by to view a wide number of species in a small space to get ideas on how they may want to plant their own native plant garden to attract butterflies and other native pollinators. See the other Indiana wildflower viewing areas listed for the Boone Creek and Clover Lick Special Areas to learn more about barrens communities and directions on how to visit these rare plant communities.

Directions: From I-64, about 40 miles west of Louisville, KY, take IN 37 exit south toward Tell City (Exit 79). Go south on IN Highway 37 about 35 miles to Tell City, Indiana. The ranger district is located at the south end of town on 248 15th Street. The garden is in-between the inter-agency fire office and the main ranger district office building.

Ownership and Management: U.S. Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest, Tell City Ranger District (812) 547-7051. For more information, contact the Forest Headquarters Office at (812) 275-5987.

Closest Town: Tell City, Indiana.