Cold + Bold Canada™ - Sharon Murphy - 6 Elements of a Vibrant Pollinator Garden
In recent years, some species, such as bees, have faced significant challenges, and by designing a pollinator-friendly garden, we can contribute to a healthier environment.
6 Elements of a Vibrant Pollinator Garden
The survival and diversity of plant species rely heavily on pollinators.
At its core, pollination is the process of transferring pollen.
And what exactly are pollinators? Pollinators are, in essence, agents that move pollen around within and between plants.
Pollination is performed by a wide range of creatures, including mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and humans.
Moreover, wind and rain also act as a natural pollinators.
In recent years, some species, such as bees, have faced significant challenges, and by designing a pollinator-friendly garden, we can contribute to a healthier environment.
To craft a pollinator-friendly garden, incorporate these 6 elements:
- Provide a Full Season of Flowers
Pollinators depend on a food supply from spring through fall, so incorporate a combination of annuals and perennials to provide flowers and pollen through the entire growing season.
Most perennials have a specific season of bloom, so plan your garden with a smattering of spring, summer, fall, and continuously blooming perennials.
With constantly flowering annuals in the mix (remember to deadhead), you provide a non-stop cycle of flowers while one type of perennial is dying back and another is ramping up.
- Provide Flowers with Vibrant Hues
When choosing flowers for a pollinator garden, bright is best.
Both bees and butterflies prefer bright colours like yellow, orange, purple, and red.
Butterflies like bright colours because they are myopic, or short-sighted.
- Provide Easily Accessible Flowers
Pollinators prefer uncomplicated flowers.
Simple flower shapes, like open-faced daisies or trumpet-shaped blossoms, like Petunias, are easy for pollinators to land on comfortably and easily.
- Provide a Variety of Fragrances
Flowers produce perfumes for the expressed purpose of attracting pollinators, and different scents attract different pollinators.
Sweet scents attract bees, butterflies, and flies.
Fruity, spicy, and musty scents attract beetles.
Nighttime fragrances draw in nocturnal insects, like moths.
- Provide a Water Source
All pollinators appreciate a well-deserved drink of water supplied by bird baths, water fountains, or open rain barrels.
Water sources also create a restful, calm, garden space.
- Provide a Pesticide Free Landscape
Maintaining a pesticide free gardening space to attract pollinators is obvious to all gardeners but not everyone knows that products labelled 'organic', 'safe', 'bee and butterfly-friendly' may not be safe for all stages of pollinator growth and often affect the young developing insects.
