Boost Your Garden's Buzz: 12 Plants to Attract Pollinators

Enhancing your garden with the right plants can transform it into a haven for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Gail Langellotto, an entomologist and professor at Oregon State University, shares her expert recommendations on how to create a pollinator-friendly garden.

“Floral abundance is one of the strongest ways to promote bee diversity in gardens,” Langellotto explains. Warm, sunny spots filled with a variety of flowers can attract not just bees, but also birds and butterflies. Here are twelve plants she suggests for enticing pollinators:

Lavenders: This evergreen shrub is a favorite of bumblebees, carpenter bees, and leafcutting bees.
Pacific or Coast Rhododendron: Hummingbirds, bees, and Western tiger swallowtails love the nectar from this native shrub.
Blueblossom: Attracts various bees and serves as a larval host for several butterfly species.
Ocean Spray: A deciduous shrub that attracts bumblebees and small native bees.
Serviceberry: Provides nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and is a host for butterfly larvae.
Russian Sage: Draws honey bees, carpenter bees, and hummingbirds.
Red-Flowering Currant: An early-season nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Zinnias: Attract a wide array of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Sunflower: A popular choice for longhorn bees, sweat bees, and bumblebees.
Salal: A groundcover that attracts bees and is a host for spring azure butterflies.
Catmint: Preferred by honey bees, bumblebees, and mason bees.
Milkweed: Essential for monarch butterflies, providing both nectar and a site for egg-laying.

The Importance of Native Plants

Langellotto emphasizes the value of incorporating native plants into your garden. “Native plants are fantastic hosts for butterfly larvae,” she says. For example, milkweed is crucial for the life cycle of migratory monarch butterflies.

Balancing Native and Exotic Plants

While native plants are essential, including some ornamental exotics can also be beneficial. Studies show that exotic plants like catmint and Russian sage are particularly attractive to bees. “Adult bees are much more indiscriminate than we previously thought and often feed on the nectar and pollen of exotic ornamental plants,” Langellotto notes.

Avoiding Harmful Pesticides

Protecting pollinators means avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides and systemic pesticides. These chemicals can harm a variety of beneficial insects and have long-lasting effects. If pest issues arise, Langellotto advises consulting local extension offices for safer alternatives and adjusting expectations to tolerate low levels of insect damage.

Resources for Further Information

For more detailed advice, Langellotto recommends the OSU Extension publication “How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides” and “Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators,” which provides plant lists and garden designs for creating pollinator habitats.

By choosing the right plants and avoiding harmful chemicals, you can create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden that supports biodiversity and contributes to a healthier environment.

Adding a variety of flowers to your garden can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity. Entomologist Gail Langellotto from Oregon State University recommends specific plants such as lavenders, Pacific rhododendron, blueblossom, ocean spray, and others to entice pollinators. Native plants, especially those from the Pacific Northwest, are particularly beneficial for local wildlife. Avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides is crucial to protect pollinators. Using a mix of native and exotic ornamental plants can create an effective pollinator-friendly garden.

FAQs

Why are pollinators important for gardens? Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are essential for plant reproduction and maintaining biodiversity.

Which plants are best for attracting pollinators? Plants like lavenders, Pacific rhododendron, blueblossom, and zinnias are excellent for attracting a variety of pollinators.

Why should I use native plants in my garden? Native plants are better hosts for butterfly larvae and are well-suited to local ecosystems, supporting native wildlife.

What should I avoid to protect pollinators? Avoid using broad-spectrum and systemic insecticides, especially on blooming plants, as they can harm beneficial insects.

How can I manage insect issues without harming pollinators? Consult local extension offices for advice and tolerate low levels of insect damage to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem.

#PollinatorGarden
#BeeFriendly
#NativePlants
#SustainableGardening
#Biodiversity

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