Plants that bring in pollinators
Flowers for bees and butterflies, and bigger harvests
Why pollinators matter
Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds and bats carry pollen from flower to flower. About three-quarters of the world's flowering plants and about 35% of its food crops depend on animal pollinators.
Some scientists estimate that one in every three bites of food we eat exists because of them. The US alone has more than 3,500 kinds of native bees. In the vegetable garden, squash, cucumbers and melons need visiting insects to set fruit.
What pollinators want
A few simple choices make a big difference.
- Something in flower from spring through fall; aim for at least three plants blooming at any time.
- A variety of colors, shapes and heights. Bees favor yellow, white, blue and purple flowers.
- Native plants, which are the only food for some specialist bees.
- Simple flowers; heavily bred blooms with changed shapes can confuse bees.
- Plants in groups, which pollinators find more easily than single plants dotted about.
Herbs and host plants
Let some herbs flower: basil, oregano, thyme, cilantro and dill are bee favorites.
Butterflies also need host plants for their caterpillars. Milkweed feeds monarch caterpillars, and black swallowtails eat carrot, parsley and dill leaves, so plant a little extra to share.
Water and nesting
Add a shallow water source and refresh it every other day. Many native bees nest in the ground, so leave some bare, sunny soil uncovered by fabric or plastic.
Leaf-cutter and mason bees nest in hollow plant stems, so leave some dead stalks standing over winter.
Go easy on sprays
Pesticides can kill bees, butterflies and other helpful insects. If you must use one, read and follow the label, never spray open flowers, and spray in the evening, when fewer pollinators are active. Store pesticides out of reach of kids and pets.
Some experts go further and advise no pesticides at all in a pollinator garden. They also suggest avoiding invasive plants like butterfly bush, however popular with butterflies.
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Pollinator Gardens
- University of Maryland Extension: Pollinators and Pesticides
- USDA NRCS: Insects and Pollinators
- UF/IFAS Extension: Gardening for Bees
General guidance, not a diagnosis. Written by PlantWiz in our own words from the sources above.