Do it for the Bees..and the Butterflies and All The Pollinators!

A bee on a flowering onion (Allium).

Milkweed benefits bees as well as butterflies.

A Mardon Skipper on a marigold.

It's common knowledge that bees and other pollinating insect populations are declining. The reasons are many, including the use of pesticides, herbicides and the reduction of meadows and other wild spaces. There are many things gardeners can do to aid and abet pollinating insects. Here's the low down of some simple and basic information to help you have a pollinator friendly garden. 

A bee devours the nectar on a scarlet runner bean in the veggie garden.

A happy pollen-laden bee.

Crimson clover is not just a pretty and effective cover crop, it is also attracts pollinators.

​Provide Pollen Early in the Season: Spring flowering plants such as crocus, hellebore, primroses, hyacinths, willow, maples, redwoods, dandelions and other spring flowering plants are critical sources of food for early season pollinators, especially bees.
​
Keep Some Weeds: Gardeners can help these essential beneficial insects by allowing a few dandelions, Queen Anne's lace, buttercups and other weeds to take up some space in the garden, as they provide food for many beneficial insects.

Flowers of the scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) have simple flowers held on a flat cluster. It's perfect for pollinators.

Fireweed and queen anne's lace are a perfect and pretty combo for pollinating insects.

Allow Root Crop Veggies to Flower: Vegetables can also be a wonderful source of pollen and nectar. Allow a few of your carrots, radishes, beets, onions, garlic and other roots crops to flower.
Grow Some Herbs: Herbs are another valuable source especially borage, lavender, rosemary, salvia and thyme.

Lavenders are loved by many pollinators.

Sneezeweed (Helenium) flowers are simple disc type flowers that are perfect for pollinators to land on and feed.

Fennel is not known for its flowers but they provide pollen and nectar.

Just for The Pollinators

Plant masses of the same flowers to make it easy for pollinators to get their fill.

It's always a special treat when swallowtail visits the garden.

Sunflowers are popular choice for gardeners and pollinators.

Here’s a few tips on how to help our bees and other pollinating insects:

• Plant lots of the same plant in groups of tens so they don’t have to fly far and wide in search for food.
• Grow a variety of flowering plants including trees, shrubs, vines, annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs. If in doubt, grow lots of vivid colourful flowers, especially fragrant ones. 
• Allow root crops and other veggies to flower.
• Select untreated seeds and plants.
• Avoid insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.
• Avoid cultivars: Fancy flowers that no longer resemble their species may lack pollen and nectar or they may be hidden due to the plethora of petals.
• Select flat flowers: daisies, sunflowers, rudbeckia, coneflowers, fennel, anemone, calendula, marigolds, poppies, zinnia, sweet alyssum, cleome, perennial geraniums, asters, cosmos and joe-pye weed.
• Select tubular flowers: lavender, veronica, sage, butterfly bush, bee balm, lupin, anise hyssop, lilac, honeysuckle, wisteria, laburnum, peas and beans.
• Allow some weeds: dandelions, goldenrod, buttercup, creeping charlie and clover.
• Provide water. Shallow trays of fresh water, especially when it is hot and dry, is essential for their well-being. 
• Avoid using insecticides, including soap and water, as they kill all insects and not just the plant eating ones. For more on insects click here. 

The simple flower of a zinnia is a perfect example of the ideal flower for pollinators.

Like all living things, pollinating insects need water to survive. Provide flat trays of fresh water with a lip or add flat pebbles so the insects can rest while they sip.

Allowing leeks to flower provides another source of pollen and nectar in the veggie garden.