Pollinator gardens are a very beneficial part of landscapes and gardens. Without pollinators, plants would have no way to receive pollination and grow. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden and landscape is one of the top 2020 landscape trends. Pollinator gardens and landscapes are actually very simple to create. Pollinators are attracted to native plants which are naturally hardy and easy to maintain. With the growing season coming up, our article this week will be on 5 tips on how to create pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes.
5 Tips on How to Create Pollinator Friendly Gardens and Landscapes
- Choose plants native to your region: Native plants match well with pollinators, they share a long evolutionary history with them. You should include a wide variety of native plants. Pollinators prefer to feed upon different types of plants because they use their own techniques to source nectar and pollen. Choose them carefully to match the conditions of where you will be planting them. You can use this tool to find plants native to your region here.
- Choose plants that flower from spring to fall. This will give the pollinators things to forage on the entire time they are active.
- Provide a spot for resting and hiding. Butterflies and other pollinators need places to hide from predators such as birds. These hiding spots also provide a place for the colonization of pollinator insects. You can let a hedge overgrow a bit, or leave a pile of grass cuttings that insects can borrow into. If you have a dead tree on the property, it is usually a favored place for bees to nest. If you don’t have these items in your landscape, you can always purchase a nesting box for pollinators.
- Provide a water source. This is another very easy step on how to create pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes. You can purchase a shallow birdbath or, even more simple, create a muddy patch in your yard for the insects to drink from.
- Don’t use landscape fabric or mulch. Instead, plant plants close together and in varying heights. Pollinators love plants that grow closer together, especially if there is variety in those plants. Also, plants that grow close together actually form a barrier against weeds.
Good luck with creating your pollinator-friendly landscape. Check out our products page for anything you may need for spring landscaping.
