Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Pollinator Week

 

The first step is to recognize that it doesn’t take a total makeover of your garden to provide support for pollinators.  Supplying nectar and pollen rich plants, along with a source of water and some shelter even on a small scale can significantly increase support for pollinators. Here are some tips to create a more pollinator-friendly garden, even on a small scale.  

It’s also 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 shelter.    

As pollinators land on a flower in search of protein-rich pollen or high-energy nectar, they collect pollen in pouches on their hind legs, as shown on this bee. As they go from flower to flower, they deposit the pollen, fertilizing the plant and allowing it to reproduce.  

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.

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, along with perennials and native plants.  

Native plants include Columbine, Native Bee Balm, Rocky Mountain Penstemon and Sunset Hyssop.   

 

Perennials with good sources of nectar and pollen include Asters, Black-eyed Susan, Columbine, Coneflower, Digitalis, Gaillardia, Joe-pie Weed, Mums, Penstemon and Sedum.  

Planting in groups or clusters will bring a focus to your landscape and save pollinator’s energy searching for food. 

Annuals such as Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Lantana, Salvia will help fill in any gaps in the seasonal bloom cycle. 

Pollinator-friendly shrubs in your garden should include Blue Mist Spirea, Lilac, Rose of Sharon, Weigela and Butterfly Bushes.  

Beyond perennials, annuals and flowering shrubs, think about incorporating bulbs and herbs into your pollinator garden.  

Herbs such as chives, basil, comfrey, mint and lavender. 

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.   

 

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 bumble bees that burrow. For wood and stem-nesting bees, hang a nesting block or place one on the fence or bench.  

 

 

If you don’t have a traditional garden space where you can plant directly in the ground, you can plant in containers and place them on your patio or deck. Select a few different kinds of plants of varying heights, colors and textures. Pollinators will find them. 

 

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.