Topic:
Environmental GardeningPollination has become a hot topic in part because a fatal disease has been killing honeybees, threatening the ability of commercial farms to produce an adequate supply of the fruits and vegetables we all love — not to mention honey.
Pollination by bees, hummingbirds, moths, bats, butterflies, flies, and beetles ensures the continued existence of millions of plant species, and in turn, of most animal species, including humans — in fact, one of every three mouthfuls of our food depends on them.
Pollination is an essential part of plant reproduction — it is the process required for plants to reproduce more of the same type of plant. A male plant, or the male part of a flower, creates a powdery substance called pollen that gets transferred to a female plant, or the female part of a flower, to create a seed. There are a couple of ways pollination can occur, including pollen transportation by a variety of creatures, such as the ones mentioned above.
Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants. This nearly invisible ecosystem service is a precious resource that requires attention and support, now more than ever. Mounting evidence shows that climate change, environmental disruption, and human interference are all threatening the health and safety of many pollinators, jeopardizing a large part of the world’s food supply.
Fortunately there’s a lot we can do to help our pollinators not just survive, but thrive. And one beautiful, fun, and effective way is to create more pollinator gardens.
Careful planning is essential to creating a successful pollinator garden. Follow these easy steps to make sure you have everything covered before you make your investment:
A lot goes into a well-planned pollinator garden. First, you’ll want to pick a wide range of plants with different bloom times. Your flowers should have overlapping blooms, but during the growing season, at least one or two plants should be flowering. Additionally, make sure that at least 70 to 80 percent of these plants are native to your area.
Pick plants that have a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Bees will be attracted to yellow, purple, and white flowers, while they will have a hard time distinguishing red flowers from green stems. Hummingbirds and butterflies, on the other hand, will be attracted to red flowers.
You may not want to have every type of pollinator, and that’s okay. For example, if you’re allergic to bees, pick a variety of plants to attract other types of pollinators. However, if you don’t have health reasons to avoid honeybees and are just worried about being stung, keep an open mind: Unless agitated, bees are docile insects.
Plant your flowers in clusters. Most pollinators like to feed on one type of flower at a time. Planting each flower type in groups together will allow them to move from one plant to another with ease.
Planning goes a long way in creating a garden and a yard that pollinators love. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, contact us here at Moodscapes, and we’ll get you set on the right path. We have over 20 years of experience creating landscapes that are ecologically friendly.
To learn more about creating a healthy, environmentally-friendly landscape in your own backyard, download our free ebook, 10 Common Gardening Mistakes That Actually Hurt the Environment.
At Moodscapes, we use environmentally-safe best practices and materials designed to bring out the best in nature and enhance your outdoor living experience. To learn more, contact the organic landscaping specialists here at Moodscapes. To read more about sustainable landscaping, please download our free ebook, 10 Common Gardening Mistakes that Hurt the Environment.