If you want a garden that’s full of life, color, and movement, the secret is pollinators. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even moths help flowers reproduce and play a key role in your garden’s overall health. And the best part? Attracting them is easier than you might think. Here’s how to make your yard irresistible to pollinators.
1. Use a Diversity of Plants
The more plant variety, the better. Different pollinators are drawn to different shapes, sizes, and colors of flowers. Aim for a mix of species and flower types.
2. Select Long-Blooming Flowers
Flowers that bloom for extended periods provide a steady food source. Look for varieties like coreopsis, rudbeckia, and blanket flower for weeks of color and nectar.
3. Don’t Forget the Host Plants
Butterflies lay eggs on specific host plants. For example, monarchs need milkweed, while swallowtails love fennel or parsley. Planting both nectar and host plants supports the full life cycle.
4. Provide Shelter
Add small brush piles, dead wood, or bee houses to give pollinators places to rest and nest. Even a few flat stones can help butterflies warm themselves in the sun.
5. Avoid Chemicals
Herbicides and insecticides can damage pollinator populations. Stick to organic methods and encourage natural pest control through companion planting and biodiversity.
Great Pollinator-Friendly Choices
- Bee balm
- Coneflowers
- Goldenrod
- Lantana
- Blanket flower
- Joe Pye weed
By creating a pollinator-friendly garden, you’ll help sustain essential wildlife and bring your landscape to life in the most colorful way possible.
