Birds, Bees and Pollinator Plants 101
Pollinator plants are a great way to attract beneficial insects and wildlife to your lawn while adding beauty and color to your landscape. Hummingbirds and monarch butterflies are two of the most popular pollinators people like to attract to their gardens. This article will discuss the best pollinator plants for attracting hummingbirds and monarchs.
What are pollinators and what's their role in pollination?
"Pollinators are birds, bees, insects or even bats that carry nectar from the male parts of a flower to the female parts of the same type flower to make it fertile", states Tammy Sons, CEO at TN Nursery, a local native plant nursery in Tennessee.
Hummingbirds are known for bright, iridescent feathers and ability to hover mid-air. They are also essential pollinators because they feed on the nectar of flowers and spread pollen from one plant to another.
"Native plants are the top pollinator plants for attracting hummingbirds to your yard" Tammy further adds.
Monarch butterflies are known for their beautiful orange and black wings and long migration patterns. They are also essential pollinators because they feed on the nectar of flowers and spread pollen from one plant to another. Here are some of the best pollinator plants for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard:
Top 5 Plants That Will Attract Pollinators
Bee Balm (Monarda) is a native plant that produces bright red, pink, or purple flowers shaped like tubes. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar in these flowers, also visited by bees and butterflies. Bee balm is a perennial plant that can grow up to 4 feet tall and prefers full sun or partial shade.
(Lobelia cardinalis) The Red Cardinal Flower is a perennial plant with bright red flowers shaped like tubes. These flowers are favorites for hummingbirds, bees and insect pollinators. This vibrant perennial can grow to heights near 4 feet. Cardinal flowers thrive in moist soil and partial shade, and bloom in late summer.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a fast-growing vine that produces bright orange-red flowers shaped like trumpets. Hummingbirds love the nectar in these flowers that can grow up to 30 feet long. Trumpet vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Salvia (Salvia splendens) Salvia is a popular annual plant that produces bright red, pink, or purple flowers shaped like tubes. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar in these flowers, which bloom from spring to fall. Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) Fuchsia is a popular plant that produces bright pink, purple, or red flowers shaped like bells. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar in these flowers, and can grow up to 6 feet tall. Fuchsia prefers partial shade and moist soil.
Top 3 Plants To Attract Monarchs
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs, and it is also a great source of nectar for adult butterflies. Milkweed produces clusters of small, pink, or white flowers that bloom in summer, and it prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Purple coneflower is a perennial plant that produces bright purple flowers with a cone-shaped center. Monarch butterflies are attracted to the nectar in these flowers, which bloom in late summer. Purple coneflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Black-eyed Susan is a popular wildflower that produces bright yellow flowers with dark centers. Monarch butterflies are attracted to the nectar in these flowers, which bloom from midsummer to fall. Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and the best plants to pollinate berry plants.
Native plants are the most self sufficient plants to use to attract pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies. This is due to them being low maintenance, easy to care for and never requiring fertilizers or ample amounts of moisture.
Pollinator plant natives are vital to the environment for several reasons:
- They support biodiversity: Pollinator plants provide food and shelter to various species, including insects, birds, and other animals. This helps to support biodiversity in the ecosystem, which is essential for maintaining the health and resilience of natural systems.
- They support pollinators: Pollinator plants provide a vital nutrient called nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Pollinators play an essential role in the reproduction of many plant species, providing food and habitat for other animals.
- They support agriculture: Many crops rely on pollinators to produce fruits and seeds. Pollinator plants provide a food source for pollinators, which can help increase agricultural systems' productivity.
- They improve soil health: Pollinator plants can help improve soil health by providing organic matter, improving soil structure and fertility. This can help support plant growth and increase the ecosystem's overall health.
Overall, pollinator plants play a vital role in supporting the health and resilience of ecosystems and supporting agriculture and food production.
