Imagine stepping into your garden on a summer morning, the air alive with the soft buzz of bees, the flash of a butterfly’s wings catching the light, and a hummingbird hovering gracefully over a cluster of blooms. More than a delight to watch, these tiny visitors are working hard to keep our ecosystems and food supply thriving.
Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes – from bees and butterflies to hummingbirds, bats and even beetles. They play a crucial role in the reproduction of flowering plants, contributing more than $20 billion in direct services to the agricultural industry. Without them, many of our favorite fruits, veggies and flowers wouldn’t survive. Yet, pollinator populations are declining, due in large part to habitat loss and pesticides. But here’s good news: Your garden can be part of the solution!
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Create a Pollinator Haven
The easiest way to support pollinators is by making your outdoor space more welcoming. Start with these simple steps:
Plant with Purpose – Choose a variety of native plants that bloom from early spring to late fall. Clusters of flowers are easier for pollinators to find than single plants scattered throughout a garden. Avoid hybrids, which may be beautiful but often lack the nectar and pollen that pollinators need.
Think Beyond Flowers – If you love butterflies, don’t forget their caterpillar stage! Providing host plants ensures the full butterfly life cycle happens right in your yard. Monarch caterpillars, for example, rely on milkweed. Since they will be munched on, you can position some of these plants in less visible areas of your yard.
Ditch the Chemicals – If you must use pesticides and insecticides, opt for organic alternatives and apply them when pollinators are less active. Be especially wary of systemic insecticides, which can poison pollen and nectar.
More Green, Less Grass – Swap out some of your lawn for flowering plants, shrubs, or even a small wildflower meadow. Every patch of greenery helps provide habitat and food.
Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Want to roll out the red carpet for pollinators? Here are some of their faves:
Bluebeard (Caryopteris): Loved by late-season pollinators
Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius): A hummingbird favorite
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Coneflower (Echinacea): A summer staple that attracts bees & butterflies
Goldenrod (Solidago): Supports a wide variety of pollinators
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Milkweed (Asclepias): Essential for monarch butterflies
Stonecrop (Sedum): A late-season favorite for bees & butterflies
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Yarrow (Achillea): Easy to grow, great for bees
A Special Invite for Monarchs
One of the most beloved pollinators, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles every year, with many spending their summers in Michigan and winters in Mexico. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss and pesticide use, their population has dropped by 90%. Welcome them by planting milkweed in your garden (about 4% of the space) and avoiding harmful chemicals.
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Fun Pollinator Facts
From the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Hummingbirds love tubular, brightly colored flowers with deep nectar.
- Butterflies and moths spread pollen, but they don’t have special structures for collecting it.
- Beetles pollinate more than 80% of flowers – though they’re clumsy fliers!
- Bats pollinate over 300 types of fruit in tropical and desert climates.
Celebrate Pollinators!
Want to do more? Mark your calendar for Pollinator Week 2025 (June 16-22) – a great time to learn, plant and share the importance of these vital creatures.
With a little careful planning, you can turn your garden into a thriving oasis for pollinators. In return, you’ll enjoy a healthier, more vibrant outdoor space, abundant flowers and a deeper connection to the marvelous natural world buzzing all around you.
