What Are The Best Flowers For Pollinators?

Have you ever wondered why bees and other pollinating insects are so attracted to certain flowers? It might seem like there are infinite varieties of florals, but not all blooms are equally attractive to pollinators.

By understanding which flowers will attract the most pollinators, you can cultivate an eco-friendly garden and ensure that more than 80 per cent of the plants in your yard will continue to give back year after year. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best flowers for pollinators and provide some helpful tips on how to attract them.

What Are Pollinators?

The vast majority of flowering plants produce ample nectar, which is the liquid substance that attracts pollinators. But a handful of flowers produce a high concentration of pollen, which is the male reproductive tissue. These flowers are called pollination plants and they are crucial to the global food chain.

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats are the most common pollinators. Birds are also quite useful for pollination, but they tend to visit the same few plants. Weather conditions, geographic location, and the specific species of pollinator also play a role in the number of plants that are visited by a given species. Many variables can affect pollination levels, but the majority of species can be found on a typical diet of only a few types of flowers.

Why Are Pollinators Important?

The vast majority of flowering plants produce ample nectar, which is the liquid substance that attracts pollinators. But a handful of flowers produce a high concentration of pollen, which is the male reproductive tissue. Pollination is essential to the reproduction of many crops as well as many native plants, including garden flowers, fruit trees, and medical herbs.

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats are the most common pollinators. Birds are also quite useful for pollination, but they tend to visit the same few plants. Weather conditions, geographic location, and the specific species of pollinator also play a role in the number of plants that are visited by a given species. Many variables can affect pollination levels, but the majority of species can be found on a typical diet of only a few types of flowers.

Which Flowers Are Attractive To Bees And Other Pollinators?

While many types of flowers are good for pollinators, some in particular are particularly appealing to bees. These flowers are often diverse and abundant, and they often bloom throughout the year.

• Wait – This Hawaiian native is a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 through 12 and has fragrant white and purple flowers that bloom during the summer. This plant is easy to grow and has yellow-variegated leaves.
• Echium – This Mediterranean native is a perennial with large daisy-like flowers that bloom in shades of blue and purple and are particularly appealing to moths and butterflies. It’s an easy-to-grow perennial and can be grown in USDA zones 6 through 10.
• Rhododendron – This Asian native is a shrub that grows up to 25 feet tall. Its flowers are red, pink, or purple and bloom during the summer. It’s a shrub that’s easy to grow and can be grown in USDA zones 6 through 9.

How to Attract More Pollinators to Your Garden

There are several ways that you can increase the number of pollinators in your yard.

• Grow native plants – Many of the best flowers for pollinators are native wildflowers. By planting native wildflowers in your yard, you’re ensuring that your plants will be pollinated by native bees and other pollinators, rather than non-native species that may be more attractive to birds.
• Plant flowers in groups – Many pollinators are attracted to blooms that bloom together in groups. This can be done by planting a variety of different blooms in your yard, or by grouping your flowers within a low fence.
• Create a bee garden – This is one of the best ways to attract more pollinators to your yard. Bee gardens consist of a variety of flowering plants that are pollinated by honey bees. These gardens can be created in any size yard and are a great way to cultivate a healthy eco-friendly garden.
• Add flowers to your home – If you live in a small apartment or don’t have the space for a full-sized garden, you can still grow beautiful flowers in your home. This can be especially beneficial for pollinators if you add flowers to balconies or patios.

Conclusion

The world is currently experiencing a pollinator crisis. This is largely because we are losing many of the pollinating species that we have previously relied on. To restore pollination, many people are now growing wildflowers in their yards.

Whether you prefer to grow native wildflowers or cultivate blooms from more exotic zones, several types of flowers are excellent for attracting bees and other pollinators. So whether you’re interested in increasing the number of pollinators in your yard or simply want to cultivate beautiful blooms from a variety of flowers, this article provides extensive information on the best flowers for pollinators.