Page 28 - Harnett Life Fall 2021

Fall Is for the Birds and the Bees

By Mack Johnson,
Let’s plant a pollinator garden! It is an excellent time to plant Extension Horticultural Agent
a garden specifically for the birds and the bees. Pollinators in
this area include birds (like hummingbirds), butterflies, moths, likely will not require the use of pesticides to perform well in
wasps, beetles, bats, and yes, bees. The honey bee is probably the landscape. There are many trees and shrubs that will fit
the most commonly known pollinator, although it is native to in your pollinator garden, but we commonly think of flowers.
Europe. North Carolina is home to over 500 species of bees When choosing plants for your garden pay, attention to bloom
that all serves as pollinators. Many are solitary, which means time. It is important to provide continuous bloom from early
they don’t live in colonies like the honey bee. spring through fall. Even what some folks refer to as weeds
in their spring lawn, like henbit and dandelion, are an excellent
Consider over 75 percent of the worlds flowering plants, in- source of food for pollinators early in the year.
cluding fruits and vegetables, rely on animal pollinators. Now
take a look around your neighborhood. Many landscapes now Remember, diversity is paramount in planning for a diverse
are seemingly pollen free. Lots of evergreens and grasses have guest. Think varied heights and an array of colors. Flowers in
replaced what was once a natural ecosystem that provided a shades of blue, purple, white, and yellow are better to attract
diverse menu for a diverse ecology. We can change this be- bees. Red, yellow, orange, pink, and purple blooms are better
fore it is too late! We can go drastic and replace our entire for attracting butterflies. Look for simple, open-faced flowers
landscape with excellent native pollinator plants, or we can go that will grant easy access to their pollen and nectar. Avoid the
more subtle by just adding a small area of pollinator plants in newer nativars with double and fuller flowers. These actually
our landscape. Whichever you choose, I am sure it will make seem to hide the valuable food source, making it hard for the
a difference in the future of our pollinators. pollinators to access. Even foragers enjoy a buffet, so plant
your garden in groups of three or more and drifts of the same
Let’s discuss some tips to start a pollinator garden. Begin by variety for easy feeding. One little caveat many gardeners may
planting native plants. Local pollinators are more familiar with not relish is to plan for larval-host plants that will be defoliated.
native plants since they evolved together. An added bonus for I have milkweed in the back of my flower border so it won’t be
the gardener is that native plants will be easier to establish and as noticeable every year when it is decimated. Ironically, I am
Page 28 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2021