{"product_id":"pollinator-garden-seeds-pack-bundle-schools","title":"Living Lab Seeds: Pollinator Garden Seed Pack — Milkweed, Marigold, Sunflower, Borage, Fennel \u0026 Anise Hyssop","description":"\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA Garden Built for Pollinators, Not Just Flowers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Living Lab Seeds Pollinator Garden bundle isn't a random flower mix — it's six specific varieties chosen for what they do for pollinators, not just how they look. Two of the six are \u003cstrong\u003ehost plants\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning butterflies lay their eggs on them and caterpillars actually eat the leaves. The other four are strong \u003cstrong\u003enectar plants\u003c\/strong\u003e that feed adult bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds once they arrive. Planted together, they form a small but genuinely functional pollinator habitat — the same host-plant-plus-nectar-plant structure real pollinator conservation programs are built around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Six Varieties, and What Each One Does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eButterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)\u003c\/strong\u003e — the host plant monarch butterflies depend on. Monarch caterpillars eat \u003cem\u003eonly\u003c\/em\u003e milkweed leaves, making this the single most important plant in the pack for supporting the monarch life cycle. A perennial; germination is slower than the others and benefits from a cold period before planting (see growing notes below).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFennel\u003c\/strong\u003e — a host plant for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, which feed on its feathery leaves. Doubles as a culinary herb once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarigold\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fast, easy-to-grow nectar plant that also helps deter certain garden pests, making it a reliable anchor plant for a first-time pollinator garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBorage\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fast-blooming nectar plant especially attractive to bees, with edible, cucumber-flavored flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunflower\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tall, unmistakable pollinator magnet for bees, and a later food source for birds once it goes to seed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnise hyssop\u003c\/strong\u003e — a licorice-scented perennial that draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and holds nectar later into the season than most of the others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhy Host Plants and Nectar Plants Both Matter\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis is the core idea worth teaching alongside the planting: a pollinator garden that's all nectar plants can feed adult butterflies but gives them nowhere to raise the next generation. Butterfly milkweed and fennel close that gap — plant them and you're not just attracting monarchs and swallowtails, you're supporting their full life cycle, egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. That distinction (host plant vs. nectar plant) is the single best \"aha\" moment this bundle offers a classroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhat's in the Bundle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet butterfly milkweed seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet fennel seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet marigold seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet borage seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet sunflower seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 packet anise hyssop seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Seeds only — soil, containers, and tools are not included. Pairs naturally with any FTF raised-bed kit, hydroponics kit, or an existing outdoor classroom garden.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGrowing Basics (general guidance)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eVariety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eGermination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eLife cycle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eLight needs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eRole in the garden\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eButterfly Milkweed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlower, ~10–20 days; germinates more reliably after a cold period (cold-stratification)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerennial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHost plant — monarch butterfly caterpillar food source\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFennel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~10–14 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerennial in mild climates, often grown as annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHost plant — black swallowtail caterpillar food source\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarigold\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~5–7 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnnual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNectar plant; fast and beginner-friendly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBorage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~7–14 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnnual (self-seeds readily)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNectar plant; strong bee attractant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSunflower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~7–10 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnnual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNectar plant; later a bird food source\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnise Hyssop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~10–15 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerennial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNectar plant; blooms later in the season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA Note on Safety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eButterfly milkweed sap can mildly irritate skin or eyes on contact and is not meant to be eaten. This is normal for milkweed species and part of what makes it unpalatable to most animals except monarch caterpillars, who have evolved to handle it. As with any garden plant, have younger students wash their hands after handling it and avoid touching eyes or mouth during planting and care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eClassroom \u0026amp; Conservation Tie-In\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA garden with both host and nectar plants is exactly the kind of habitat recognized by pollinator conservation programs such as Monarch Watch's Monarch Waystation program, which certifies gardens that provide milkweed and a range of nectar sources for monarchs. This bundle won't automatically meet every certification requirement on its own (those programs typically specify minimum plant counts and garden size), but it's a genuine starting point if your class wants to work toward a certified pollinator habitat as a semester or year-long project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassrooms and after-school programs\u003c\/strong\u003e teaching pollinator life cycles, ecosystems, or plant-animal relationships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeachers\u003c\/strong\u003e looking for a garden project with a clear before\/after payoff — watching actual butterflies and bees use what students planted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGarden clubs and outdoor classroom programs\u003c\/strong\u003e building or expanding a schoolyard habitat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamilies and home gardeners\u003c\/strong\u003e who want to support monarchs and other pollinators with an intentional, functional planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What seeds are included in the Pollinator Garden bundle?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Six seed packets: butterfly milkweed, fennel, marigold, borage, sunflower, and anise hyssop, all under the Living Lab Seeds brand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Why does the bundle include milkweed specifically?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Butterfly milkweed is the only plant monarch butterfly caterpillars eat. Without milkweed, a garden can feed adult monarchs but can't support their full life cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does fennel really matter for butterflies?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Yes. Fennel is a host plant for black swallowtail butterflies, whose caterpillars feed on its leaves, similar to the role milkweed plays for monarchs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is butterfly milkweed safe for kids to plant and handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Yes, with normal gardening precautions. Milkweed sap can mildly irritate skin or eyes on contact and isn't meant to be eaten, so have students wash their hands after handling it, as with any garden plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does this include soil, pots, or tools?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: No, this bundle is seeds only. It pairs well with a raised-bed kit, hydroponics setup, or an existing garden space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Which seeds germinate fastest?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Marigold and sunflower are typically the fastest, germinating in about 5–10 days. Butterfly milkweed is the slowest and often germinates better after a cold period before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can this garden get certified as an official monarch habitat?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Programs like Monarch Watch's Monarch Waystation certify gardens that include milkweed and a range of nectar plants, which this bundle is built around. Certification typically has its own size and plant-count requirements, so check the current program guidelines if that's your class's goal — this bundle is a strong starting point, not an automatic qualifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Are any of these plants edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: Fennel and borage are both culinary plants — fennel is used as an herb and vegetable, and borage flowers are edible with a cucumber-like flavor. Milkweed is not edible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How much does the Pollinator Garden bundle cost?\u003c\/strong\u003e A: $9.99 for all six seed packets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farming The Future","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51335772111071,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/6551\/9327\/files\/pollinator-seed-bundle-infographic-500.png?v=1788609391","url":"https:\/\/ftfeducation.com\/products\/pollinator-garden-seeds-pack-bundle-schools","provider":"Farming The Future","version":"1.0","type":"link"}