Every garden needs
pollinators and you’ll attract more pollinators to your garden if you keep
these things in mind. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are looking for three
things when they visit your garden: food, water and shelter. Food for
pollinators means nectar and pollen. The ideal plants for pollinators will produce
flowers with high nectar and pollen content. Flower shape and color are
important factors to pollinators. Hummingbirds like brightly colored,
tube-shaped flowers. Among hummingbird favorites are Bee Balm, Cardinal Flower,
Catmint and Butterfly bushes. Hummingbirds will hang around your garden longer
if there are trees and shrubs nearby for them to hide in. Butterflies can’t hover like bees and
hummingbirds.
They need flowers they can land on in order to feed. Butterfly
Bush, Phlox, Hyssop, Asters, Mums and Coneflowers are some butterfly favorites.
The ideal plants for bees will produce flowers with high nectar and pollen
content.
Nectar feeds the adult bee and pollen is harvested to feed their
young. Beyond perennials and shrubs, think about incorporating annuals and herbs
into your pollinator garden. Zinnias are bee and butterfly magnets. Plant a
nice bed of zinnias and the bees and butterflies will come. Chives are another
plant which bees love. Include herbs such as borage, comfrey, mint and lavender
in your pollinator garden. Cover crops such as Crimson Clover attract bees and
can be worked into your garden to improve the soil once it stops flowering. Gardening
with pollinators in mind will include a place for them to find water. Birdbaths are a great source of water for bees and other pollinators. Place some
flat stones in the birdbath so bees will have a place to land and drink safely.
With some thought and planning, you can make your garden a destination for bees,
hummingbirds and butterflies.
No comments:
Post a Comment