After a long morning of meetings, paperwork, and reading the news—a surefire way to spike the blood pressure—I needed a reset. I wandered over to a sunny patch of grass at Paramount Open Space and flopped down beside my two pooches, who were more than happy with my change in plans.

I’d noticed dragonflies and damselflies before, of course. But something about today made me really see them. We lay there watching a dozen Giant Green Darners—those big, dazzling dragonflies native to the PNW—flitting through shafts of light, snacking on invisible gnats. It felt like a spell had settled over us. These shimmering giants hovered like silent helicopters, catching prey we couldn’t even see.

Did you know dragonflies are among the most efficient predators on the planet? Over 90% success rate. They love mosquitoes, no-see-ums (they see ’um!), and plenty of other pesky bugs. Fun fact: the Green Darner is actually Washington’s state insect. Yes, we have one.

Watching them, I started to wonder, could I invite this kind of magic into my garden?

That question brought me from dragonflies to their quieter, more delicate cousins—damselflies. While dragonflies are often the showstoppers, it’s damselflies that tend to show up in small urban gardens. They’re just as beautiful, just as ancient, and—here’s the good news—much easier to host.

So what does it take to create a damselfly-friendly habitat?

Not much.

Damselflies (and yes, dragonflies too) need still water to breed, but they’re not picky about size.

Even a small water feature—a half wine barrel, a deep ceramic pot, or a stock tank tucked into a

sunny corner—can become a nursery for their young (called nymphs) to grow.

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Here’s what you need:

• A container at least 12–18 inches deep to avoid freezing solid in winter.
  
• Vertical plants like rushes, sedges, or native iris. The young damselflies climb these to emerge as adults.
  
• No fish — they’ll eat the nymphs.
  
• No pesticides — damselflies are sensitive souls.
  
• A few flat stones or sticks for basking in the sun.

Worried about mosquitoes? Don’t be. In a healthy, still-water setup with nymphs present, mosquitoes don’t stand a chance. If needed, you can use a Bt dunk (a safe, biological treatment) as backup.

Even the smallest garden can make space for these jewel-toned creatures. They’ll repay you with their presence, their appetite for tiny pests, and a way of moving through the world that feels both ancient and enchanted.

If DIY water features aren’t your thing, SSG would be delighted to help you create one.

Just say the word.

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of stillness.

Optional Geeky Follow-Up:

Curious about these ancient marvels of pest control?

Check out this great piece from  Pacific Horticulture on dragonflies and damselflies. Their writing strikes a beautiful balance between science, aesthetics, and real-world gardening advice. We’re lucky to have our own PNW garden writer Erica Brown Grivas on their board. Read an issue and support them if you can — they do incredible work!