Plants That Attract Pollinators
Pollinators are creatures that aid in the production of seeds. They help ensure the survival of the next generation of plants. They transfer pollen grains from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower belonging to the same species.
They are highly mobile creatures that can move from flower to another with ease. They also tend to have scales, hairs, or feathers that catch pollen from one plant and distribute it to the next. Finally, they have specialized mouth parts that allow them to collect nectar from the plants they visit.
Some examples of pollinators include hummingbirds, long-nosed bats, bumblebees, butterflies, soldier beetles, and hummingbird moths.
Pollinators play a crucial role in the reproductive success of over 75% of the world’s flowering plants. This includes most of the fruits, nuts, berries, and vegetables that both wildlife and people depend on for sustenance. In the United States alone, over 150 crops rely on pollinators including blueberries, apples, oranges, squash, tomatoes, and almonds.
Also, pollinators support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, protect from severe weather, and support other wildlife
Plants For A Pollinator Garden
To ensure that your garden bears the best fruits and vegetables every harvest season, you need the help of pollinator-friendly plants.
Below are ten flowering Plants That Attract Pollinators and other beneficial insects you can easily incorporate into your garden plan. Apart from enticing birds, bees, and butterflies into your garden, these also add a touch of color and brightness to your garden.
Calendula
These short, bushy plants have orange or yellow daisy-like flowers that attract bees and butterflies. They are also an excellent companion plant for vegetables since they repel pests like the asparagus beetle.
Marigold
Marigolds are hardy, annual plants that attract butterflies and moths. The flowers range from the red to orange to yellow. They repel pests like aphids, thrips, and cabbage moths and deter root-knot nematodes. These can be grown in a variety of soil types and containers but they grow best in moist but not soggy soil.
Lavender
This perennial not only has a pleasant scent and beautiful blooms that add interest to any garden but they also attract bees while repelling mosquitoes and flies. They grow best in well draining soil and full sun.
Cosmos
When discussing plants that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects you can’t forget these dainty flowers that not only make for great cut flowers but also attract birds, bees, butterflies, and moths. You can easily grow them by scattering seeds on bare soil in springtime when the frost has passed. They can survive in beds or containers and can survive in poor soil conditions. However, they prefer warm, dry weather.
Yarrow
Also known as achillea, yarrow is a flowering plant with clusters of small yellow, pink, white, red, or lavender flowers. They attract butterflies, bees, and ladybugs. These grow in poor to moderate soil that is well-draining. Spent and deadheaded flowers can also be used as mulch or be added to compost since the plat stores vital nutrients and minerals in its tissues.
Sunflowers
These bright tall and large-headed flowers are heliotropic and can attract bees and birds. Most varieties are drought-tolerant but may require staking for support.
Coneflower
These hardy perennials come in a wide range of colors that attract bees, butterflies, and songbirds. They grow in full sun but they can also tolerate partial shade.
Lilac
These shrubs bloom for three weeks in the spring and their clusters of purple to lavender-colored flowers attract bees and butterflies to your garden.
Lantana
This drought-tolerant annual comes in an array of colors including white, red, peach, orange, and pink. They attract bees and butterflies. They can be grown as part of a mixed container and they thrive in full sun.
Rosemary
These perennial evergreen shrubs have blue flowers with a distinctive aroma and flavor. They grow well in partial sun and can be a great companion for beans, cabbage, carrots, and sage.
Additional Tips for Drawing Pollinators to Your Garden
Gardens thrive best when you can add plants that attract pollinators and they visit constantly and help with pollination. Apart from planting bright, colorful, and fragrant flowering plants, you can also do these things to ensure that bees, birds, and butterflies frequent your garden patch:
- Include a wide range of flower types, shapes, and sizes. Diversity is key if you want to reap the maximum benefits of pollinators in your garden. Plant various types of plants so you can attract several types of pollinators.
- Create microhabitats in your garden. Shelter pollinators from cold wind through hedges and hedgerow shrubs.
- Avoid using pesticides. Opt for organic methods of repelling aphids and other pests in your garden. Pesticides tend to lower the population of pollinators in your area so it’s best to ensure that your garden is nature-friendly.
- Plant native plants. Local plant species can attract local pollinators into your garden which also helps maintain the local ecosystem in your area.
- Provide food and water for pollinators. Don’t just provide flowers that adult pollinators can feed on. Provide leaves for larvae and small pols of water that butterflies and birds can sip from too.
Making a pollinator garden is one of the best things you can do for the environment and your plants. Adding beauty, color, and refreshing scents to your garden will also give you many hours of joy. Have you found other plants that attract pollinators to your garden? If so, please leave them in the comments below we’d love to hear about them.
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