How to create a pollinator-friendly garden this spring

Plant pollinator-friendly flowers, trees and shrubs that attract birds, butterflies and bees

Author of the article:

Brian Minter

Long-lasting monarda is known as bee balm for good reason. Photo by Minter Country Garden /PNG

During the ongoing pandemic, with folks spending more time at home, many have shifted their focus to creating a more beautiful surround both inside and outside their living spaces.

The latest research reveals that the top three home and garden priorities are:

Beautifying outdoor areas with perennials and annuals;
Planting more colourful, functional trees and shrubs for beauty, privacy and environmental concerns;
Growing a vegetable and/or fruit garden for greater food security, more diverse flavours, freshness and to avoid harmful pesticide residues.

There have also been several significant developments in how we garden and how we choose plants to deal with today’s environmental issues. As our climate changes, we need to select more heat- and drought-tolerant plants, as well as more pest-resistant varieties. We also need more compact plants to fit our smaller-space gardens and containers. Another growing issue is the need to attract pollinators and birds to our gardens. As we continue to lose natural habitats, our gardens, no matter the size, should be a source of both nectar and pollen to support these populations.

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Deutzia is compact and hardy. Photo by Minter Country Garden /PNG

Today’s new garden plants need to be multi-functional. Plant breeders around the world recognize this new reality, and we are now seeing the results of their work. Our millennial generation is driving this change in attitude about plant choices.

Perennials are now being bred for a much longer blooming habit. Extended flowering times mean more enjoyment for homeowners and a longer period when both nectar and pollen are available to pollinating insects. Today, for example, fragrant lavenders are some of the hottest perennials. The Spanish ‘stoechas’ types flower all summer, and the new lavender ‘Primaveras’ bloom from spring well into fall. Achilleas (yarrow), especially the new ‘Milly Rock’ series, are also long blooming, as are the many new varieties of monardas (beebalm), catmint (nepeta) and gaura (whirling butterfly plant). These examples represent a new generation of multi-purpose perennials that act like annuals with long, continuous blooming periods.

As for flowering shrubs, the new, compact varieties of buddleia (butterfly bush) are certainly number one in terms of beauty and fragrance, and they, too, are fantastic bee and butterfly attractors. The new varieties are sterile, which means they are not invasive. Both the ‘Lo & Behold’ and the ‘Pugster’ series are among the best compact varieties. Other compact, pollinator-friendly shrubs are clethra (summersweet), deutzia ‘Yuki Cherry Blossom’ and the dwarf, twice-blooming ‘Bloomerang’ lilac. These newer varieties have crossover capabilities of being hardy, drought-tolerant, fragrant and pollinator attractors.

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‘Lo and Behold’ buddleia has a lovely fragrance. Photo by Minter Country Garden /PNG

Annuals, too, have changed. When warm summer weather arrives, many early annuals tend to fade away, and the heat-lovers take over. New, colourful lantanas are a prime example of this, as are the many varieties of fragrant heliotropes. And just try to keep pollinators away from a wide range of new salvias. Both bees and butterflies love these plants.

More and more folks are planting small trees, like Japanese maples, in containers for both shade and privacy. They have great foliage colour, look magical with night lighting and attract birds looking for shelter, especially on patios.

All these plants will attract and support beneficial wildlife and make an important contribution to any size garden. This evolving trend is a good step in the right direction, and it is a delight to see.