Attracting Pollinators

Who are the pollinators and what do they do?

Bees, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, moths, beetles and other animals, along with the wind, move pollen from flower to flower or within flowers.  Why is this important?  The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization and successful seed and fruit production of plants.  Pollination ensures that a plant will produce flavorful fruit and a full set of viable seeds.

Why does this matter to us?

In the United States, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated in order to produce the goods on which we depend.  Pollination by honey bees, native bees, and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.

Are pollinators in trouble?

Yes!!! and we humans are causing it...we are tearing down the land to build new homes and buildings and creating a loss of habitat, we are misusing chemicals and pesticides, polluting the atmosphere, and we are planting invasive plant species. 

There is a decline in Hummingbirds, Songbird populations, the Monarch butterflies, and the United States has lost over 50% of its managed honeybee colonies over the past 10 years.

Bumblebee Has Officially Been Added To The Ever-Growing List Of Endangered Species

New Smithsonian Study Links Declines in Suburban Backyard Birds to Presence of Nonnative Plants

What can you do to help?

Plant for pollinators.  You can make a difference.  Plant native plants so that you have staggered bloom times.  The definition of a well designed landscape is to always have something in bloom.  Plant flowering trees, evergreens, shrubs, perennials, vines and annuals to attract pollinators.  Learn what native plants will attract specific pollinators with this helpful handout from the Pollinator Partnership organization:

"Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden Using Native Plants".

Plant natives that are High Value Wildlife plants.  These are plants based mainly on the fruits, seeds and or nectar used as food for wildlife, and the relative number of  species using the plant for food.

Reduce or better yet, eliminate your use of pesticides. 

Major Wheeler Honeysuckle Vine blooms from May through November and is a Hummingbird Magnet!!!