A large number of other species rely on pollinators for survival: animals, birds, and ultimately US!
Pollinators are an indicator species:
The health of the pollinator population gives a glimpse into the health of the entire ecosystem.
Plant species in groupings of at least 3 per species. No need to separate them with mulch. This provides a good ‘target’ for pollinators to find.
Planting for Pollinators
Give pollinators a good ‘target’ by placing like species in groups of at least 3.
Pollinators can spot it quickly, and move from one flower to the other and collect a full load of pollen to bring back to their nest
Let your plants fill the bed – no need to separate plants with mulch. Pollinators can hop from one plant to the next so much easier!
Plan for a succession of overlapping blooms from spring to fall.
There are native plants for pollinators that bloom before the first, and after the last, frost!
Our native bees are important pollinators. They have specific flight ranges so the needed plants must be within that range.
Bumblebees can fly a mile or so.
Leafcutter bees can fly 400-500 yards
Small sweat bees: 200 yards
The tiniest bee of all: only a couple hundred feet!
Include plants that bloom all season. Asters are important for late season pollinators, and bloom even after a frost!
Managing a Pollinator Landscape
Limit the use of pesticides
Minimized mowed lawn area
Offer nesting and egg laying sites such as un-mulched bare ground, snags, rock piles, and brush piles.
Don’t forget trees and shrubs – pollinators need them too!
Be sure to included native warm season grasses
They provide nesting materials and nesting sites
Some butterflies rely on them for larval food
Include nesting and refuge sites for pollinators by providing brush piles and un-mulched soil.
TL/DR
Plant a diversity of native species.
The easiest way to provide pollinator habitat is to leave your native garden alone. Dead trees, overgrown areas, rock piles, and brush piles are all good.
Estudio EA