AAS Winners and Pollinators: a Perfect Match!

Planting a variety of plants is a sure way to bring pollinators to your garden! Here are 7 tips to increase pollinator presence in your garden. 

1. Not sure which types of pollinators you want to host? Flowers like zinnias and verbena attract a wide variety of pollinators.
2. Looking to attract butterflies? Plant both host plants (i.e. milkweed for monarchs, dill, and fennel for swallowtails) and food/nectar plants like tithonia and zinnia. But, check with local sources for plants specific to your region and butterfly species native to your local area.
3. Want to attract more hummingbirds? Aim for flowers with a tubular structure like canna, penstemon, salvia, petunia or snapdragon.
4. Or are bees more of interest? Plant flowers that have larger petals that act as “landing pads” for bumblebees. Native bees prefer clusters of multiple, smaller flowers like those found on oregano or large rayed flowers like sunflowers.
5. Plant in groups to create a “target’ for pollinators to find easily.
6. Choose a variety of different colors. Try blues and yellows for bees and oranges, reds and yellows (i.e. Cheyenne Spirit echinacea) for butterflies.
7. Register your garden and Bee Counted at the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.