Many communities possess green spaces that could easily be turned into pollinator gardens by simply cutting grass less frequently and planting native species – all simple actions that could have an incredible impact.
Maintain a variety of blooming plants throughout the growing season to attract pollinators with differing tongue lengths, so plan flowers in different sizes to meet their needs.
Plants for Pollinators
Flowers provide nectar and pollen sources for all manner of pollinators, including bees, bumblebees, honeybees, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds and flies. When creating your pollinator garden, be sure to include blooming plants at different times during the year so pollinators have something new to eat each season – native or non-native species can be purchased from garden centers or nurseries or grown from seed for less money but more time invested.
Look for plants with large flowers, vibrant colors or strong scents to attract pollinators. Additionally, flowers that can easily be seen from a distance will also draw pollinators’ attention quickly; tubular or flat-faced blossoms in mint family plants (like oregano, catmint, sage and lavender) or aster family (sunflowers and daisies) tend to attract hummingbirds especially well.
Pollinators need shelter, too; plants that provide habitat should provide both places for them to lay eggs as well as provide sustenance and care for their young. Black swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed and several perennial species – these host plants later provide larval food sources which ultimately mature into adults that pollinate your vegetable garden.
Make sure there are water sources accessible to pollinators in your garden, such as adding a shallow dish or birdbath with fresh, clean water in order to attract butterflies and bees to your plants. Also keep in mind that an undulated garden is better for pollinators than one which has been overly manicured.
Make sure that the plants in your garden are free from pesticide residues that could harm or kill pollinators, such as those from Penn State’s Pollinator Friendly Garden Pledge or local citizen science projects. Doing this will allow scientists to learn which garden plants provide the greatest benefits to pollinators – keeping more pollinators around in order to benefit mankind! The more knowledge we gather on this subject matter, the better chance we have of keeping pollinators around for us all to enjoy!
Planting Seasons
Planting a pollinator garden in the fall is best, particularly in climates with cool, damp conditions. This allows plants to establish strong roots before winter arrives and lessens competition from weeds; however, spring or summer planting may still be possible depending on weather conditions at that particular time.
Native plants tend to be cheaper and easier to find at local nurseries and farmers markets than non-native species, and are likely to thrive better in your growing zone than non-native varieties. Heirloom varieties tend to be more accessible for pollinators than hybrid varieties.
Add variety to your garden by including various plant species with differing flower sizes, shapes, and colors – this will attract the highest number of pollinators visitors. It is also beneficial to include plants of differing heights and growth habits to attract even more pollinators to your space. It is also a good idea to group (some call it “masses”) of one species together to mimic natural situations where pollinators travel from plant to plant more freely.
Be sure to incorporate herbs in your garden, as they provide both nectar and pollen sources for pollinators species such as bees and butterflies. Plus, aromatic flowers such as rosemary, sage, parsley and borage attract bees and butterflies with their pleasant fragrance – these make great pollinator magnets! Additionally, add water sources like shallow dishes or birdbaths filled with fresh, clean water – these will further attract pollinators!
Be mindful not to shade plants that require full sun. Also, apple trees require cross-pollination for fruit production; so be sure your garden is cross-pollinated adequately. If you need assistance finding suitable plants in your region, connect with the North American Native Plant Society; they will have a list of suitable varieties that would thrive there and can offer guidance and advice about when/what you should plant.
Planting Tips
When creating a pollinator garden, make sure the site is as sunny as possible to encourage pollinators and keep them active on warmer days (rather than hiding away for an afternoon nap in the shade). Furthermore, choose plants suited to your climate zone and soil conditions for maximum success.
Choose native plants whenever possible; they will better adapt to your specific growing conditions, and are more likely to thrive. In addition, their natural beauty will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your garden design.
An excellent way to support pollinators is to plant a mix of flowering plants. By doing so, their bloom times will be spread throughout the season and provide continuous food sources for our pollinator friends. Add perennials or shrubs for year-round interest. Don’t be intimidated by low maintenance annual flowers like coreopsis and zinnias which bloom continuously all summer and can even self-sow next year by leaving seed heads intact.
Create a garden that appeals to various pollinator mouthparts by including flowers with different colors, flower shapes, sizes and scents in your pollinator garden. This will ensure all our favorite insects have something they can forage on.
When selecting flowers for planting, look for organic, non-GMO seeds untreated with pesticides that will protect pollinators and beneficial insects from potentially harmful chemicals. If overwhelmed by choices, look for seed mixtures labeled pollinator-friendly at local nurseries or garden centers.
Select a variety of plant heights and flower structure types when selecting shrubs and perennials. This will create an eye-catching garden, while making pollinators’ searches easier; pollinators tend to look for resources on a small scale.
Be mindful of wildlife pressures such as deer and rodents when selecting garden plants. If these wildlife issues become an issue for you, try using deer-resistant varieties or an organic pest repellent solution to combat their presence.
Designing a Pollinator Garden
Success in creating a pollinator garden lies in selecting plants suited to both climate and soil. Begin by determining your hardiness zone using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; then choose native or pollinator-friendly species native to your location.
Looking to attract different types of pollinators, include plants with staggered blooming times. Also consider perennial flowers like Heuchera and Sedum as well as herbaceous ones such as Yarrow and Rosemary to provide food all summer and fall long for pollinators. Don’t forget about including fruits or berries as a food source during autumn!
Pollinator gardens benefit most from planting various species together in groups or “masses”, similar to how nature happens, as this allows pollinators access all available resources more easily and quickly. Furthermore, planting in masse makes gardening much less taxing for pollinators species than scattering individual plants across your garden space.
Addition of flowering trees or shrubs can add both color and interest all year long as well as anchor the space. Many flowering trees and shrubs serve as host plants for butterfly caterpillars – an integral part of ecosystem function – while many also boast fragrant blossoms which attract honeybees and other pollinators to your garden.
Conventional gardening practices that could interfere with or kill off the pollinator species that you wish to encourage should be avoided in pollinator gardens, such as pesticide use. Pesticides kill indiscriminately and may even be consumed by ground-nesting bees; similarly, mulching should also be limited because it prevents bees from excavating soil to form their nests and can damage flower petals and pollen grains.
Pollinator gardens can make the perfect addition to any yard or outdoor space, whether they’re small backyard plots, full flower gardens or rooftop terraces. By cultivating pollinator-friendly plants in a pollinator garden, you can help restore populations of bees and butterflies which have suffered due to habitat loss or other threats, while also enjoying beautiful flowers while watching hummingbirds or other pollinators fly about your garden!