How To Plant for Pollinators

We’ve all heard that bees are declining at rapid rates, and that many environmental stressors (including neonicotinoid pesticides) are the culprit. Neonics play a particularly integral role in the collapse of bees because they make the bees more susceptible to these environmental stressors that they are often otherwise immune to.

Some of these environmental stressors or conditions are things we might not think of: lawns and lack of flowers to pollinate, for example. So, how can you personally help the bees? Head down to your local (we love supporting local business at Basmati), organic nursery and plant some flowers in your yard. 

But, what types of flowers and plants should you plant in your home garden or yard? Below is a list of plants that benefit pollinators!

First, a few things to consider (more on this here):

• It is best to plant flowers and other plants that are native to your region as care may be easier and the bees are already regionally adapted to these plants.
• Try to stick with single flower tops as they contain more nectar and easier accessibility than their double headed counterparts.
• It’s helpful to plant a few different types of flowers and other plants to have more than one bloom season per year – providing honeybees and other pollinators with food for more of the year.
• Take it easy on the fall cleanup: pollinators and many other creatures use leaves as habitats year round. Also, avoid the leaf blowers if you can!
• Create a bee bath to provide clean water to your little gardeners. But make sure that the container is filled with marbles, pebbles, and/or twigs so the bees can land while drinking and don’t risk drowning. Bees will quickly learn this is a great place to return and get fresh water!

Here’s a list of plants you can grow in your backyard or garden to support pollinators:

Oregano

Pansy

Primrose

Penstemon

Pincushion Flower

Red Hot poker

Salvia

Sage

Sunflower

Sweet Alyssum

Thyme

Yarrow

Zinnia