Pollinators in the garden are good on many levels. Flittering butterflies, buzzing bees, whirring hummingbirds bring hours of enjoyment for gardeners. They are absolutely essential for most of the food we consume—fruit like plums, peaches, apples; vegetables like watermelon, cantaloupe, squash or pumpkins.
Consider native plants for a pollinator garden. Many annuals and perennials have been bred for showy colors or foliage, but with the unintended consequences that the pollen load has decreased, nectar production is less, and flowers have become less fragrant, each of which attract pollinators. Include in the garden a variety of colors, heights, and shapes to attract a diverse array of pollinators. Plant a garden that has blooms from early spring throughout the summer and into autumn.
Create a personal prairie by leaving an unimproved section of the garden for wildflowers, and even allow weeds to claim a spot.
Reduce or eliminate chemicals. Investigate biological methods of controlling insect pests. Remember, if a spray kills a harmful insect, the chemical will likely also kill the beneficial insects that prey on the harmful pest.
Provide a supply of fresh clean water. Bees and butterflies as well as birds are drawn to a reliable source of water. The water dishes need to be shallow or have stones for landing spots—if water is too deep honeybees will drown.
Perennials attracting pollinators
Asters, Aster spp.
Blazingstar, Liatris spicata
Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Blue Sage, Salvia azurea
Blue Sage, Salvia azurea
Butterflyweeds, Asclepias spp.
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis
Coneflower, Echinacea spp.
Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolalta
Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata
Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum
Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum
Mistflower, Conoclinium coelestinum
Obedient Plant, Physostegia virginiana
Penstemon, Penstemom spp.
Shrubs
Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa
Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana
Elderberry, Sambucus spp.
Sumac, Rhus glabra
Viburnum, Viburnum spp.
Plant list from prairienursery.com
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
