KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Planting for Pollinators

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Bring beneficial bees, butterflies and birds to your garden by growing flowers and plants that they love. We have all heard about the disappearance of some bee and butterfly species. These are necessary for food production in the world. We can do our own small part to provide plants that will feed and shelter these wonderful species.

Native plants are the best to attract pollinators. Use annuals and perennials to provide blooms and seeds all throughout the season. They need more than flowers though so provide a mix of shrubs, trees, grasses and vines too. These provide shelter as well as food. Practice organic gardening and never use chemicals on plants meant for butterflies, bees and birds.

Butterflies are very color orientated. They prefer purple, yellow, pink, orange and red. Plant in bunches to be found easily. They like tubular cluster and flat top blooms. You will need to also provide the caterpillars shelter. You may end up with some tattered leaves from hungry caterpillars but it’s worth it for some beautiful and useful butterflies. Plant extras to hide the damage if necessary. If you can leave a weedy patch or two. Monarch caterpillars only feed on milkweed plants, others eat grass, thistle, clover and leaves.

Bees like areas that are natural, overgrown and even weedy, so let it go! Resist the urge to have everything perfectly neat. Native species are again the best choice for bees. Color preferences are yellows, purple and blues. As with butterflies have ever blooming plants to ensure season long nectar and pollen.

Birds are excellent pollinators and carry pollen on their heads and wings to spread around the garden. You can attract birds with good quality seed mix. Planting nut and seed producers also bring the birds to your yard. Don’t deadhead everything. Let some go to seed, especially in the fall to provide food over winter.

All pollinators appreciate fresh water year round. Keep the birdbath clean and always filled with fresh water. A few flat rocks in a sunny spot provide a place for butterflies to bask in the sun. Flowers that are very fragrant and white or pale yellow will attract night-feeding moths.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO