wild strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Ground-hugging foliage produces loose clusters of small, five-petaled flowers followed by tasty, wild strawberries. Found … Continued
Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are well-known pollinators, but there are thousands of unsung pollinator heroes, including moths, wasps, flies, and beetles, many mammals, birds, and reptiles, who also take on the job.
Pollinators move from plant to plant, fueling up with pollen and nectar from blooming trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, and herbs. As they move, the pollinators transport and deposit pollen, fertilizing plants and allowing them to reproduce.
Pollinator plants can be native and non-native, but not all flowering plants are equal when it comes to providing the highest quality protein-rich pollen. Many hybrids don’t even produce pollen at all. The following list includes pollen-rich plants to include in your garden to provide pollinators with food.
Local butterfly expert Lenora Larson has created these informational handouts. You can download them here!
• Butterflies: Flying Flowers in your Garden!
• A Vital Connection: Native Plants and Butterflies
• Long Lips Farm Caterpillar Foodplants
• Butterfly Bartending: Nectar Flowers
• Long Lips Farm: Selected Butterfly Nectar Flowers
• Bee Friendly: Plants for Bees and Other Pollinators
Since 1970 the population of North American birds has dropped nearly 30% — almost three billion birds have vanished from our forests, grasslands, and backyards in less than a human lifetime. It’s a chilling fact that makes it clear that we must act as individuals to help ensure their survival.
Most importantly, ninety-six percent of all terrestrial bird species rear their young on insects so it is also important to grow plants that feed insects to provide a well-rounded habitat in your garden.
Fragaria virginiana
Ground-hugging foliage produces loose clusters of small, five-petaled flowers followed by tasty, wild strawberries. Found … Continued
Syringa vulgaris
‘Sensation’ sports bicolor blooms of purple edged in white in early to mid-spring, and fill … Continued
‘Dark Eyes’ fuchsia makes out-of-this-world hanging baskets with unique blooms that look like nothing else. … Continued
Gaillardia aristata
Blanketflowers are one of the longest-blooming native perennials, well suited to hot sunny sites. Soft-yellow … Continued
Gaillardia aristata
Gaillardia aristata ‘Arizona Apricot’ grows 8 to 10″ tall, 10 to 12″ wide with continuous color … Continued
Gaillardia pulchella
Indian blanket is a bright native annual! It is easy to establish in dry to … Continued
Gaura longiflora
Large-flowered gaura is a great plains prairie plant that establishes quickly to provide late-season bloom. … Continued
Gazania rigens
Short, sturdy stems sport large daisy-like flowers. Excellent for bouquets. A rainbow of colors including … Continued
Gentiana andrewsii
These slow-growing natives are long-lived and require little care once established. Bumblebees are the main … Continued
Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina'
Dainty, pink flowers are marked with delicate purple veining over lacy, gray-green foliage. An outstanding, … Continued
Geranium sanguineum
One of the best choices for massed plantings, filling in quickly to create a bushy … Continued
Geranium 'Gerwat' ROZANNE
Perennial Plant Association 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year! A patented hybrid, clump-forming geranium noted for … Continued