The Best Plants for by Monica Mansfield
Pollinators are on the decline , but by planting the right plants and providing shelter and water , you can help them make a comeback while adding a little color and purpose to your garden .
Our pollinators are in trouble and we , as gardeners , have an opportunity to save them . Researchers say if everyone planted just one pot of nectar-rich flowers , it would restore healthy pollinator communities . This patchwork of pollinator-friendly spaces would be enough to rebuild their numbers by offering them plenty of food and shelter . As nature is taken over by concrete , lack of food and shelter are two of the main reasons pollinators are at risk . Pollution , disease , and the misuse of pesticides are other major contributors to their dwindling populations . If we don ’ t do our part to save them , we will see the effects on our harvests and on our ecosystem as a whole . Bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds are essential to our commercial farms and home gardens . In fact , 75-95 per cent of plants ( more than 180,000 different species ) rely on them for pollination . Without our helpful friends , we don ’ t eat . And with such a simple solution available to us , we have no excuse not to act . Besides , who doesn ’ t love flowers in their garden ?
Choosing Pollinator-Friendly Flowers
With so many beautiful flowers out there , it ’ s important to choose the ones that will have the greatest impact . By following a few guidelines , we can be sure we are making a significant difference in our quest to save the pollinators . First , be sure to choose plants native to your region . Your local pollinators have evolved with your local plants , and their life cycles are in sync with one another . Native plants will also thrive in your environment without the use of pesticides , which you should avoid using as much as possible if your goal is to help pollinator communities . Second , choose plants that bloom at different times of year so there is a constant buffet of nectar laid out for them from spring through fall . If they know there is always food available in your garden , they will be sure to stick around and call your place home .
Speaking of which , be sure to provide shelter and water for them in your garden so they don ’ t feel the need to go anywhere else . Hollow logs , tree stumps , and bee houses are ideal habitats . A simple bird bath with rocks in it for them to rest on will provide them all the water they need .
Next , be sure to plant groups of flowers in a variety of sizes and colors . This will attract more pollinators than individual flowers planted throughout the garden . By including many different colors , you will surely to attract a variety of species . For example , butterflies are attracted to red , yellow , orange , purple , and pink flowers . Bees are drawn to blue , white , yellow , and purple .
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