Pollinator insects, such as bees, butterflies, and moths, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our ecosystems and food supply. These insects are responsible for pollinating over 75% of the world’s food crops. However, the population of pollinator insects has been declining in recent years due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and disease.
Attracting Pollinator Insects with the Right Plants
Interested in plants that attract pollinators? To help boost the population of these important insects, gardeners and landowners can create Insectuaries or a pollinator garden. these friendly habitats can be easily created by planting the right plants. Native plants for example, are important for pollinator insects as they provide a source of food and habitat.
Pollinators have co-evolved with native plants and rely on them for survival. Native plants offer a variety of nectar and pollen sources that are essential for the nutrition and reproduction of pollinators. In addition, many native plants provide shelter and nesting sites for pollinators. When native plants are lost or replaced by non-native species, the availability of food and habitat for pollinators can be severely impacted, leading to declines in pollinator populations. Thus, preserving native plant populations and creating habitats for pollinators is important for the health of both native ecosystems and the insects that rely on them.
The Monarch butterfly is a species of butterfly that is known for its long migrations. The milkweed plant (Ascepias tuberosa) is a crucial part of the Monarch’s habitat as it is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillar will eat. The plant also provides nectar for adult Monarchs. The loss of milkweed habitat due to deforestation, urbanization, and the use of herbicides is a major threat to the Monarch population. Maintaining and preserving milkweed habitats is crucial for the survival and stability of the Monarch butterfly population. This is why the addition of these particular flowers is a good idea to add to your insectaries.
The top 10 pollinators
The top 10 list of pollinators in no particular order is :
- Bumblebees and other solitary Bees
- Carpenter Bees
- Syrphid flies (also known as Hoverflies)
- Beetles (including Ladybugs)
- Moths and butterflies (including the Monarch Butterflies)
- Wasps
- Ants
- Lacewings
- Honey Bees
- Mason Bees
To help boost the population of these important insects, gardeners and landowners can create pollinator-friendly habitats by planting the right plants.
Flowering plants that attract pollinators
Here are some of the best flowering plants that attract pollinating insects.
1. Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillia millifolium) This group of colourful flowering perennials is known to be the best plant to attract pollinators. It is widely found in most of North America and is drought tolerant and naturalizes well in most climates. The native strain is found to be predominantly white with an occasional light pink that shows up. The cultivated forms come in a wide variety of colours. This is known as one of the best plants that attract Bees.
2. Coneflower
Coneflowers (Echinacea) – These long-lasting flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, orange, yellow, and purple, and are a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
3. Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula) – This fragrant herb is a popular choice for attracting bees and other beneficial insects. It also has a calming effect on humans and can be used for aromatherapy.
4. Sunflower
Sunflowers (Helianthus) – Annual Sunflowers are a staple in many gardens and are beloved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They come in a range of colors and sizes, from tiny yellow daisies to giant yellow or brown blooms.
5. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – This bright yellow flower is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It grows well in full sun and is drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
6. Salvia
Salvia (Salvia) – This fragrant herb comes in a variety of colors, including white, blue, purple, red, and pink. It is a popular choice for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, as well as hummingbirds. Some good flowers that attract hummingbirds are plants that have trumpet-shaped blooms like Honeysuckle or Crocosmia(Montbretia).
7. Phlox
Phlox (Phlox) – This colorful flower comes in shades of pink, red, purple, and white and is a popular choice for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
8. Zinnias
Zinnias (Zinnia) – These bright and colorful annual flowers come in a range of sizes and colors, including yellow, orange, red, and pink. They are a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and they bloom all summer long. They also make great cut flowers for arrangements.
9. Lilacs
Lilacs (Syringa) – These fragrant flowers come in shades of pink, purple, and white and are a popular choice for attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
10. Monarda
Monarda (Bee Balm) – This brightly-colored perennial plant is a popular choice for attracting bees and other pollinators. It comes in a range of colors, including pink, red, purple, and white.
11. Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum) – This fragrant herb is a favorite of beneficial insects, including bees, butterflies, and moths. It also has culinary uses and can be used to flavor soups, stews, and other dishes.
More plants that attract pollinators
Shortlist – Butterfly bushes, Milkweed, Mint (including many herbs in your herb garden), Caryopteris Blue Beard, Sedums, Borage and the Allium (onion) family. All these plants are the best flowers to add to your garden to attract Bees, and attract beneficial insects.
When planting these and other pollinator-friendly plants, it is important to consider the growing conditions they need. Most of these plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil, but some, like lavender, yarrow and fennel, are more drought-tolerant and can handle drier conditions. This is also a good reason to plant plants that are native to your area as the indigenous insects rely on these plants for specific nutrients that match their habitat.
In addition to planting the right plants, it is important to create a safe and welcoming environment for pollinator insects. This can be done by reducing or avoiding the use of pesticides, providing a source of water, and offering shelter in the form of nesting sites.
I have found that early spring blooming plants as well as late summer blooming plants are very popular with pollinating insects. This is mostly because there are very few flowering plants that are in bloom at these times of the year. So I like to plant fall-blooming Sedums as well as fall Asters for my late bloomers and Daphne plants and fruit trees with spring bulbs for my spring blooms. Planting flowers for these early and late seasons will help attract pollinators that may be hungry and preparing for winter survival. These insects depend on a flowers bloom for food and energy and ultimately survival.
Pollinator insects, such as bees, butterflies, and moths, play a crucial role in the production of vegetables by transferring pollen from the male to the female parts of the flower, allowing the plant to produce seeds and fruit. Without these insects, many vegetables would not be able to reproduce and grow, leading to a decrease in the overall yield of your garden.
To support pollinator insects in your vegetable garden, it is important to create a friendly environment for them to thrive. This can be achieved by planting a variety of flowering plants, such as sunflowers, daisies, and marigolds, which provide nectar and pollen for the insects to feed on. Additionally, avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your garden, as these chemicals can harm or kill the beneficial insects that you are trying to attract.
In addition to providing food and shelter for pollinator insects, it is also important to understand the specific needs of different types of vegetables. For example, some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, are self-pollinating and do not require the help of insects to produce fruit. However, others, such as cucumbers and squash, rely heavily on pollinator insects to reproduce and grow. By understanding the needs of your specific vegetables, you can tailor your gardening practices to maximize the yield of your garden.
Pollinators for vegetable gardens
Vegetable gardening is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby that provides fresh, healthy produce for your family. However, successful gardening requires more than just planting seeds and watering the soil. To maximize the yield of your vegetable garden, it is important to understand the role that pollinator insects play in the process.
Another important factor to consider when it comes to vegetable gardening and pollinator insects is the timing of planting and harvesting. Some vegetables, such as beans and peas, have a short flowering period and are best planted in the spring when pollinator insects are most active. Other vegetables, such as pumpkins and melons, have a longer flowering period and should be planted in the summer to ensure that there are enough pollinator insects available to transfer pollen from one plant to another.
Before you go…
Pollinator insects play a crucial role in the production of vegetables in your garden. By creating a friendly environment for these insects to thrive, understanding the specific needs of different types of vegetables, and planting and harvesting at the right time, you can maximize the yield of your vegetable garden and enjoy the fresh, healthy produce that it provides. So, next time you are out in your garden, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of these tiny insects and the vital role they play in producing the food that feeds our families.