Many people have flowering plants in their garden simply for their color and beauty. Many people also want a butterfly garden just to see the butterflies. They are great reasons for planting flowering plants, but did you know there is a science behind why these plants are important? Often that goes unthought-of when we think of creating a beautiful garden… these beautiful flowering plants support pollinators.
More than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yields. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds and bats, and beetles and other insects. U. S Department of Agriculture
Are you interested in supporting pollinators on your property? Guess what? Don’t be surprised if you already are!
According to Pollinator.org the list of plants below, even if they are not all native, are well behaved and good source for pollinators. They are very popular and found in many gardens across the U.S.
Do you have any of the following pollinators on your property?
- Lavandula spp. (Lavender)
- Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
- Salvia spp. (Sage)
- Echinacea spp. (Coneflower)
- Helianthus spp. (Sunflower)
- Cercis spp. (Redbud)
- Nepeta spp. (Catmint)
- Penstemon spp. (Penstemon)
- Stachys spp. (Lamb’s ears)
- Verbena spp. (Verbena)
- Aster spp. (Aster)
- Rudbeckia spp. (Black-eyed Susan)
- Origanum spp. (Oregano)
- Achilliea millefolium (Yarrow)
- Monarda (Bee Balm)* attracts hummingbirds
- Perovskia (Russian Sage)
- Asclepsia (Milkweed)* host plant for the Monarch Butterfly
