If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.
Did you know that bees are required to pollinate over 70% of the world’s plants? The pollination enables plants to produce seed, which is vital to their existence and to ours.
As humans grow our habitats, the pollinators see their world shrinking. Highways, housing developments, mega farms, golf courses, and huge new shopping centers are springing up all over. Many of these sites use pesticides. Hybrid varieties of plants may not be adequate for our pollinators.
Some pollinators communicate through sound. Noise pollution caused by construction and destruction of native habitat make it increasingly difficult for their communication.
Our pollinators are faced with an ecosystem filled with man made chemicals and GMOs. Their health, breeding, continued pollination and very existence is at stake.
Who Are Our Pollinators?
Honey bees: Brought to North America in the 1600’s with the early colonists for pollinating their crops and of course, for the honey. Honey bees prefer white, yellow, and blue flowers.
Native bees: There are more than 4,000 different species, including mason bees and bumblebees. Bumblebees fly in cooler weather and in less daylight than honeybees, giving them the ability to pollinate earlier and later in the day.
Moths: When the sun goes down the moths come out and take over. Moths prefer night blooming gray or white or silver fragrant flowers. (The type found in a “moon garden”.)
Butterflies: Have you noticed their numbers dwindling—especially the monarchs? Butterflies prefer red, orange, yellow, and purple flowers.
Flies: No not the common housefly—continue to swat them! These guys look like little bees and are classified as flies or midges, and they pollinate. Flies prefer striped flowers and less showy flowers. (This makes them less likely to be seen by their predators.)
Bats: Help pollinate a lot of fruits. and to keep insects and bugs away.
Plants To Include In Your Pollinator Gardens
Native and heirloom plants are a good choice for pollinator gardens, especially for the native bees, but try to avoid hybrids. Here are some plant suggestions to get you started:
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuborosa)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya or L. spicata)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa or didyma)
Sedums (especially Stonecrop)
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemium muticum)
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Globe Thistle (Echinops bannaticus)
False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Lupines (Lupinum perennis)
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perfatorum)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
American Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginianus)
If you’re planting trees, consider the following:
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
Willows (Salix spp.)
Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Linden (Tilia spp.)
Other common herbs to plant:
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
Chives (great for those early arrivals to pollinate) (Allium schoenoprasum)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)
Sage (Salvia spp.)
Savory (both winter and summer) (Satureja spp.)
Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Mints (Mentha spp.)
If you google “pollinator plants,” you’ll find hundreds more!
Tips For Your Pollinator Gardens
Eliminate the use of pesticides.
Provide a water source but include a few large stones to keep them from drowning.
Place your garden in a sunny area with wind breaks.
Plant large groupings of the same plant—called “pollinator targets”. They’re easier to spot from the air and easier to go from plant to plant in small areas.
Keep plants that bloom throughout the growing season. This helps pollinators at each stage of their lives.
Have some early bloomers to help with spring feed needs as well as some late bloomers for late fall needs.
Have both single blooming flowers in the same areas with long blooming flowers.
Pollinators like unkempt gardens! Delay the fall cleanup until spring!
Here are some plants to avoid:
Rhododendron – nectar is toxic to bees. The honey produced is unsafe for humans. (Alternate – Clematis)
Azaleas – toxic to bees. (Alternate – Foxgloves – the honey is ok)
Trumpet Flower or Angel’s Trumpet – nectar can cause blood death in bees.
Stargazer Lily – pollen is poison to bees. (Alternate – Hollyhocks)
If you are seriously planting for pollinators only, ensure it is not toxic before purchasing.
Help Out By Planting Pollinator Gardens In Your Local Area
Have you heard about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge? If not, check out their website for more information on what is happening, how to plant a pollinator garden or area in your yard, and how you can register your garden and get a dot on their map!
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