Planting for Pollinators

 June 19 through the 25, 2023 is National Pollinator Week, a time to bring focus on the gardening activities that support pollinators. It’s important to realize that in addition to honeybees, bumblebees, native bees, butterflies, moths, flies and more also fill a role as pollinators in our landscapes and gardens. To attract the greatest diversity of pollinators, we need to supply a source of food and water and, in the case of native bees, shelter.  

Food for the pollinator community means nectar and pollen. The ideal plants and shrubs will produce flowers with high nectar and pollen content. Flowers with good sources of nectar and pollen include Asters, Black-eyed Susan, Columbine, Coneflower, Digitalis, Gaillardia, Joe-pie Weed, Mums, Penstemon, Sage and Sedum.  Pollinator-friendly shrubs in your garden should include Blue Mist Spirea, Lilac and Butterfly Bushes.  

Beyond perennials and shrubs, think about incorporating annuals, bulbs and herbs into your pollinator garden. Zinnias are bee magnets. Plant a nice bed of zinnias and the bees will come. Chives are another plant which bees love.  

Because of their ability to dislodge pollen by grasping a flower in their jaws and vibrating their wing muscles, bumble bees are important pollinators of crops such as tomatoes and peppers. 

Plant the herb comfrey near your tomato and pepper plants to improve fruit set.  

The herbs borage, mint and lavender will attract pollinators to your garden, as well. Blooming cover crops such as Crimson Clover will attract bees and can be worked into your garden to improve the soil once it stops flowering.  

To better attract pollinators, plant in clusters, with a variety of colors. This will bring a focus to your garden and landscape and save the pollinator’s energy searching for food.  

Gardening with pollinators in mind should include a source of water. A shallow pot saucer filled with pebbles will do fine. Keep the water refreshed so the pollinators know they can return to the same spot every day.  Garden fountains and birdbaths will provide needed water. Place some flat stones in the birdbath so pollinators will have a place to land and drink safely.  

 

For non-hive dwelling native bees, consider leaving a patch of the garden uncultivated for native bees that burrow. For wood and stem-nesting bees, place a nesting block near the garden.  

 

With some thought and planning, you can create a destination garden for bees and other pollinators.