Pollinators are essential to our ecosystem, and provide vital natural resources. More than 75% of our food crops require pollination. Providing key pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with a comfortable place to call home will help them do their job.

1) Provide Nectar and Pollen-Rich Plants

Filling your garden with nectar and pollen-rich plants is the first step in playing host to pollinators. Plant perennials and annuals with different bloom times so your garden provides nectar and pollen all season. Add in food source plants like dill and fennel for butterfly larvae to feed on and you’ll have pollinators visiting your yard in no time.

Here are a few plants that will keep your garden in bloom with nectar-rich flowers all season. In early-Spring plants like Dogwood, Lupine and Jacob’s Ladder will start attracting pollinators after a long winter. Late-Spring bloomers are Milkweed, Phlox, Anemone, and Columbine. Summer bloomers are Coneflower, Cardinal Flower, and Mint. Late-Summer bloomers are Blazingstar, Black-eyed Susans and Hyssop. Early-Fall bloomers are Asters. Ask an English Gardens expert for more pollinator-friendly ideas.

2) Go Organic

When protecting your plants from insects and disease, organic products are best. Conventional methods used incorrectly will harm pollinators, especially bees. Only apply as needed, and do not use products on open blooms. Be sure to always follow manufacturer’s directions.

3) Provide Shelter

Pollinators need a place to hide from predators and rear their young. Allow areas of your lawn or landscape to overgrow to provide a nesting area for bees, or let lawn clippings or a log decompose in the sun to create a shelter for butterflies and hummingbirds. Consider adding artificial nesting boxes for added protection. Nesting bees prefer to build their nests in an enclosed place.  

Consider doing a little backyard beekeeping. Having a hive or two, along with bee-friendly plants and a water source will keep bees happy and sticking around.

4) Provide food and water

All pollinators need water. They drink it and use it to clean themselves and to cool off. Adding a water feature like birdbaths, rain basins or a fountain will encourage pollinators to make a home in your yard. Butterflies get essential nutrients from the soil, so they prefer to drink from mud puddles.

Providing special feeders for hummingbirds and butterflies will help them get proper nutrients besides what your garden offers.

Attracting pollinators doesn’t require a large yard or garden. A simple window box filled with  flowers can provide them with the essentials. Choose the right plants and stay chemical free, and those bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will come. For more information on attracting pollinators check out our videos Attracting Hummingbirds and Plants for Pollinators or visit any English Gardens location to talk to an expert.