Planting for pollinators
Did you know that one-third of human crops rely on pollination? Or that honeybees are important to the pollination of potatoes? Many flowering plants depend on pollinators such as ants, bats, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies, moths, wasps and bees to transfer pollen from the male to the female parts of the plant in order to form the seeds that lead to fruit reproduction. Pollinators often do this inadvertently as they are feeding on plant nectar.
Pollinators help maintain healthy ecosystems as well as pollinating crops and many fruiting and landscape species. Abundant populations of pollinators improve the quality and size of fruits, as well as increase crop production. Many native and non-native plants rely on specific types of pollinators in order to reproduce or bear harvestable fruit.
Pollinators in turn rely on native plants for reproduction, shelter and food. While pollinators may take advantage of the pollen and nectar from crops and other non-native or cultivated species, the bloom periods for many of these species are often short and do not cover the entire active feeding season for many pollinators. Many landscape species are often cultivated more for appearance than for nectar or pollen production, sometimes taking advantage of the benefits of pollinators while offering little in return.
Give pollinators a helping hand by both protecting the native species in your yard and adding a few new plants. Diversity in bloom periods, fragrance, flower types and plant heights will help ensure a diversity of pollinators as well as the availability of nectar and pollen sources—not to mention beauty—throughout the growing season.
Native plants for pollinators
| Common name | Species name | Visited by pollinators | Bloom season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood + | Tilia americana | Bees, flies, moths | May–June |
| Pin cherry + | Prunus pensylvanica | Bees | May–June |
| Pagoda dogwood + | Cornus alternafolia | Bees, beetles, flies, butterflies | May–June |
| Red elderberry + | Sambucus racemosa | Bees, beetles, flies | April–May |
| Serviceberry + | Amelanchier spp. | Bees, flies | April–May |
| Common name | Species name | Visited by pollinators | Bloom season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild columbine + | Aquilegia canadensis | Hummingbirds, bees | May–June |
| Cardinal flower * | Lobelia cardinalis | Hummingbirds, bees | August–September |
| Spotted beebalm + | Monarda punctata | Bees, butterflies | June–August |
| Blazing star + | Liatris spicata | Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds | July–August |
| Showy goldenrod | Solidago speciosa | Bees, butterflies, beetles, wasps | August–September |
+ also serves as a host plant for pollinator larvae
* prefers moist soils
Lists above adapted from “Selecting Plants for Pollinators—Eastern Broadleaf Forest” by the Pollinator Partnership (www.pollinator.org) and the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (www.nappc.org).
Quick tips to help attract pollinators
- Create a shallow depression in the mud or place a shallow dish of water in your garden for insect pollinators to drink—but make certain they can climb out. Some pollinators, including butterflies, also can benefit from discarded fruit.
- Leave large branches that fall in wooded areas, or bundles of hollow reeds or stems around your yard to attract native bees and other insect pollinators. Drilling long holes in large branches or logs can make it more inviting for some species to nest.
- Avoid pesticides or, if necessary, apply pesticides only for problematic target species and when most pollinators are inactive. Pesticides are largely toxic to most pollinators.
Pollination is the result of moving pollen from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part of the flower (the stigma), fertilizing the flower so that it can produce fruits and seeds. Most flower pollination is the result of animals such as insects; however, some plants are pollinated by wind.
The Busy Bumblebee
Bumblebees are especially active in pollinating plants, including many wildflower and crop species that don’t produce nectar. Their buzzing vibrations are very effective at loosening pollen grains from flower anthers. Different species of bumblebees have different tongue lengths (short, medium and long) allowing them to take advantage of different flower sizes and types to collect pollen.
Bumblebees usually rise early in the morning. In the spring, they rely on the pollen of native plants to survive before the crops begin to bloom.
Pollinator facts
- Domestic honeybees alone pollinate approximately $10 billion in crops each year in the US, but our native bees also carry much of the responsibility.
Recent declines in feral and domesticated honeybee populations have resulted in greater reliance on native bee populations for pollination. Although most native bees do not produce enough honey or wax for collection, some growers have begun raising native bee populations specifically for pollination. - Beetles and flies are significant but often underappreciated participants in pollination. Beetles, not always graceful in flight, can be attracted to large open flowers with strong odors, such as magnolias, that make easy landing pads. A midge, a type of small fly, is known to pollinate the cacao plant, resulting in the seeds from which chocolate is made.
- Double blossoms and other unique flower modifications sometimes cultivated by growers can be difficult for pollinators to recognize as a food source and often offer little nectar or pollen.
- Many bird species benefit from the berries and other fruits produced by insect pollinators as well as from eating the pollinators themselves.
- Willows and maples are an importance pollen source for pollinators that are active in early spring.
- One out of three bites of food that you eat is the result of pollination.
