The Power of Pollinator Plants
Are you looking to pack some “pollinator power” into your garden? If you don’t already have them, try adding plants that attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies. When pollinators feed on the pollen and nectar of the plants they are attracted to, some of that pollen and nectar clings to them, and as they forage around your garden it spreads itself onto other seeds and plants to help them germinate, fertilize, and thrive. So, what are some tips for getting started with a pollinator garden?
- Plant native plants, which produce flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen, such as coneflowers, aster, lavender, salvia, sunflowers, zinnias, and herbs such as oregano and basil.
- Include plants with different bloom times, so you have beautiful color and pollinators in your garden throughout the growing season.
- Group the same plants together to make it easier for pollinators to collect and spread pollen and nectar. Not all pollinators will be attracted to the same plants.
- Avoid pesticides, which harm pollinators.
- If you have a container garden on a windy balcony, install a windbreak such as a trellis or a screen. If your balcony is mostly shaded, include pollinator plants that thrive with less sun, such as columbine or honeysuckle.
It’s estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators. So, pollinator gardens are a win-win. Food for pollinators means food for us too.