WE NEED POLLINATORS

In North America, 99% of pollinators are insects and most of those are bees. Other pollinators include butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, flies, and wasps.

Flowers provide pollen to pollinators. Specific plants, known as host plants, are eaten by the larvae of pollinators such as butterflies.

In the Botanical Garden, many host plants are available including Parsley, Fennel, Dill, Carrot, Snapdragons, Milkweed, Passionflower vine, and Hollyhocks.

Pollinators are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce.

Pollinators travel from plant to plant carrying pollen to the reproductive system of most flowering plants – the very plants that bring us countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts for our meals.

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Gardening with native plant species can increase critical habitat for both larvae and adult butterflies.Minimize the use of pesticides. Chemicals that kill insect pests also kill butterflies and beneficial insects. Pesticides can be toxic to birds, too, and runoff can contaminate streams and water systems.

BEES

Plant continuous blooms of different flowering plants throughout the growing season, especially in early spring and late autumn.

Offer clean water for bees.

Provide a variety of habitat for nesting and mating.

Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals. If you must use pesticides, never spray blooming plants and spray only in late afternoon when bees have finished foraging for the day.