Planting for Pollinators

June is Pollinator Month in Colorado, a time to bring focus on the importance of supporting pollinators in our gardens and landscapes. Creating a pollinator friendly garden involves planting and maintaining a variety of perennials, annuals and flowering shrubs, as well as providing water, shelter and nesting sites. Perennials with good sources of nectar and pollen include Asters, Black-eyed Susan, Columbine, Coneflower, Digitalis, Gaillardia, Joe-pie Weed, Mums, Penstemon and Sedum. Pollinator-friendly shrubs in your garden should include Blue Mist Spirea, Lilac, Rose of Sharon, Weigela and Butterfly Bushes. Beyond perennials and shrubs, think about incorporating natives, annuals, bulbs and herbs into your pollinator garden. Native plants include Columbine, Native Bee Balm, Rocky Mountain Penstemon and Sunset Hyssop.  The key to attracting and supporting pollinators is to offer plants that provide pollen and nectar through the season. 

This can be accomplished by including annuals and herbs in your garden. Annuals such as Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Lantana, Petunias, Salvia will help fill in any gaps in the seasonal bloom cycle. Herbs such as chives, basil, comfrey, mint and lavender support pollinators. Cover crops such as Crimson Clover attract pollinators and can be worked into your garden to improve the soil once it stops flowering. In the fall, plant spring blooming bulbs such as crocus, hyacinths and tulips to support early foraging pollinators. 

Planting in groups or clusters will bring a focus to your landscape and save pollinator’s energy searching for food. Gardening with pollinators in mind should include accessible water. 

This could be a shallow pot saucer or a birdbath.  Place some flat stones in the birdbath or saucer so pollinators will have a place to land and drink safely. Consider leaving a patch of the garden uncultivated for native bees that burrow. For wood and stem-nesting bees, hang a nesting block or place one on the fence or bench. Even a small pollinator garden will help support bees, butterflies and other pollinators. With some thought and planning, you can create a destination that pollinators will be attracted to.