Article
Top 30 Plants That Attract Pollinators
Part 1 of 2
Safer Brand
Looking forward to a garden that will let you enjoy rhododendrons in the spring, honeysuckle in the summer, and pumpkins in autumn? To enjoy a garden, you need pollinators along with the soil, the seed, and the sun! Pollinators are essential to the reproduction of 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants.
In fact, pollinators are key to the transformative stages in plants that bring about beautiful flowers and tasty veggies. Since they are so vital to the ecosystem, we created a list of our favorite flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
What is Pollination?
To produce seeds, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, many plants need to be pollinated. These plants produce nectar, which attracts pollinators including butterflies, bees, and birds. As the pollinators move from flower to flower gathering nectar, they also transport pollen from one plant to the next.
Flowers have both male and female parts, known respectively as anthers and stigma. Pollination occurs when pollen grains move from anthers to the stigma. When it arrives on the stigma, a piece of pollen develops a tube that reaches from the style to the ovary. Fertilization occurs, and seeds will follow.
Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are some of nature’s primary pollinators, but moths, certain types of insects, the wind, and even bats can also help the process. Unfortunately, many parts of the U.S. have seen declines in pollinators. In many cases, their habitats are threatened by urbanization. Pesticides with harmful chemicals also kill pollinators along with weeds and predators. Because pollinators are so essential to a garden, and potentially threatened, it is a great idea to add plants to your yard that are known to attract pollinators.
To produce seeds, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, many plants need to be pollinated. These plants produce nectar, which attracts pollinators including butterflies, bees, and birds. As the pollinators move from flower to flower gathering nectar, they also transport pollen from one plant to the next.
Flowers have both male and female parts, known respectively as anthers and stigma. Pollination occurs when pollen grains move from anthers to the stigma. When it arrives on the stigma, a piece of pollen develops a tube that reaches from the style to the ovary. Fertilization occurs, and seeds will follow.
Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are some of nature’s primary pollinators, but moths, certain types of insects, the wind, and even bats can also help the process. Unfortunately, many parts of the U.S. have seen declines in pollinators. In many cases, their habitats are threatened by urbanization. Pesticides with harmful chemicals also kill pollinators along with weeds and predators. Because pollinators are so essential to a garden, and potentially threatened, it is a great idea to add plants to your yard that are known to attract pollinators.
Planting a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
Here is some general advice for planting flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
First, planting in clumps rather than having one type grouped together is optimal. It heightens the pollinators’ journey from plant to plant. Plant with a mix of colors and scents to appeal to various pollinators.
Second, remember that pollinators need a habitat where they can live and reproduce. Leave space and water for them to do so.
Third, plan your garden with seasons in mind. If pollinators have no nectar to eat during certain seasons, they will forage elsewhere until they find it. You don’t want them to leave! Remember that autumn vegetables such as squash and tomatoes have flowers.
Fourth, consider using native plants for the simple reason that they will attract pollinators that are also native to your area. They can also serve as hosts for the larvae of your favorite pollinators.
To find out which plants and pollinators are native to your region, go to a pollinator guide and fill in your zip code.
To find out which plants and pollinators are native to your region, go to a pollinator guide and fill in your zip code.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.
An excerpt from the article “Top 30 Plants That Attract Pollinators“.