Pollinators In The Garden
By: Lindsey Poe August 28, 2024 One of the things I was really excited about when we started our flower farm was knowing that my newly planted blooms were going to attract so many pollinators. My plants not only added color and beauty to my garden, but also attracted bees, butterflies, birds, moths, and even wasps and hornets. All these hardworking living creatures contribute to seed production and support the biodiversity of our ecosystem. Over the years, the number of these wonderful pollinators has declined. I was happy to plant native plants that I knew they would enjoy. Some flowers are more effective at attracting pollinators than others. Factors such as color, shape, and scent of certain varieties play a significant role in this. The amount of nectar produced by each plant, along with the ease of obtaining it, also encourages more pollinators to visit the flower. When deciding which pollinators to add to your garden, there are many to choose from. Here is some general information about the pollination process and a list of our five favorite pollinators. How Does Pollination Work? Pollination is an essential part of plant reproduction. The male parts of a flower (anther) produce pollen grains. When these grains are transferred to the female part (stigma) of another flower pollination occurs. Once a flower becomes fertilized it will produce fruit and seeds. A pollinator is the thing that transports the pollen between the male and female flower parts usually this is a bee, butterfly, wasp, hornet, moth, bird, etc. When a bee, for instance, lands on a flower to eat its nectar, the tiny pollen spores on the flower stick to the fuzzy hairs on the bee's legs. Then the bee flies to the next flower and some of the pollen falls off when it lands. This is the process of pollination. Why Are Pollinators Important? Most all of our food crops( including fruits, vegetables, and nuts) rely on pollination to produce seeds. That means that pollinators are critical for our food supply. Pollinators help to keep our ecosystem healthy, by making plant reproduction possible. Planting flowers is good for pollinators because flowers provide them with crucial food sources they need to survive and reproduce. Basically, we plant the plants that feed the bees. The bees then help flowers grow the seeds that we need to grow more plants. 1. Bee Balm Bee Balm, also known as Monarda, is excellent at attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. With its uniquely shaped blooms, bee balm adds a whimsical, playful feel to the garden. Plant this pollinator in spring or fall after the last frost in a spot that gets full sun. 2. Echinacea Echinacea attracts pollinators with its bright colors and large, nectar-filled center. Various species of birds, butterflies, and moths are all attracted to this beautiful flowering plant. While the purple and yellow varieties are true natives, many hybrid colors exist, including red, orange, pink, white, and green. No matter what color you choose, you won't regret planting this perennial pollinator. The best time to plant echinacea is in the spring or early summer. You can also plant them in the fall, but you should do so at least six weeks before the first frost. 3. Sunflowers With their cheerful, sunny disposition there is no surprise that pollinators love this flower just as much as we do. Sunflowers are excellent pollinators because of their bright color. They are also easy to land on, due to their size, and they produce a ton of pollen. Planting these beautiful flowers in the garden will attract various types of bees and butterflies. The best time to plant sunflower seeds is after the last frost and when the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees. 4. Tithonia Tithonia, or Mexican Sunflowers, are fantastic pollinators. They attract a wide range of pollinators including several varieties of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These beautiful flowers produce a significant amount of nectar in their bright, eye-catching blooms. Tithonia flowers bloom later in the season when other garden flowers may be fading. This makes it a valuable source of nectar during the later months of the growing season. You can plant tithonia in spring after the last frost date. 5. Zinnias Zinnias are loved by all kinds of pollinators. The vibrant colors of the flowers attract a wide range of butterflies, bees, moths, and hummingbirds. While, all varieties of these beautiful blooms attract pollinators, single-flowered ones with open centers are the easiest for pollinators to access the nectar. Zinnias have a long bloom period, providing a continuous food source for pollinators. Zinnias are best planted in the spring after the last frost has passed and the soil is warm. For more information on growing this fantastic flower, check out my post on Growing Zinnias. Which pollinators would you love to add to your garden this year? Have you had success growing any of these before? I'd love to hear your comments below!
Happy Planting! XOXO
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AuthorHi! I'm Lindsey. I love all things gardening and nature. My days are spent enjoying my family, my pets (dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and ducks!), good books, homemade kombucha & sourdough everything! -XOXO Archives
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