Picture yourself sitting in your favorite chair, relaxing in your yard, watching butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy your colorful flower garden. If this sounds terrific to you, we suggest you consider planting for the pollinators. They're easy to attract; here are some tips. 

A pollinator garden includes vibrant flowers that are often native to the area or part of the natural environment. These gardens provide a great source of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. The flowers tend to be brightly-colored with a pleasant scent. Not only are pollinator gardens visually appealing, but these creatures will remember the scent and location of your garden and return regularly throughout the season. These gardens help our environment too by sustaining pollinator populations that work hard helping to produce over one-third of the foods we eat including fruits, vegetables, nuts and greens. 

Tips for attracting your pollinator guests:

If there are specific types of pollinators you are interested in drawing to your garden, think about their favorite types of nectar. Butterflies are attracted to plants such as common milkweed, butterfly weed, hollyhock, lilacs, marigold and petunias. Honey bees enjoy the nectar of sunflowers, coneflowers, lavender, black-eyed Susan and peony. Hummingbirds tend to go for phlox, cardinal flower, catmint, lily, snapdragon and zinnia.

Planting a healthy mix of these flower varieties will draw an abundance of pollinators to your outdoor living space. Another option – because natural and native flowers are always a great go-to for pollinators, just planting wildflower seed mix from your local garden center can provide a nice variety of flowers that will attract with their favorite foods.

Natural flower environments are a low-maintenance, beautiful way to spruce up your landscape and add interest. The pros at D.A. Alexander & Company are always happy to assist in your next outdoor project. For more information, please contact us.

Lavender nepeta - attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds