Gardeners like you are the key to creating pollinator habitats!
Of the Oregon bees that have been studied, 1 in 4 species are declining. Some species on the other side of the Cascades are declared extinct and 3 species are in trouble.
Gardeners can help! Because of our proximity to river, streams and protected open spaces, we have a perfect location to add flowering plants which collectively can combat habitat loss for local birds, bees, butterflies, bats and bugs.
We also have tons of the native species and open spaces that pollinators need, and with some smart garden practices we can multiply this advantage for the very insects that pollinate our fruits, flowers and vegetables. Plant4Pollinators is here to let you know what flowers really work. Let's garden smarter!
What is smart gardening?
Butterflies, moths
& Hummers
Learning about what you have
You can create better habitat by knowing more about who lives in the different spaces on your lot. Discover which animals frequent your site and what their lifestyle is like. Look at what plants you currently have that are growing well and attracting bees and butterflies and plant more of that or ones that are similar.
Planting what pollinators need
The plant stores are pulling out their 'good for pollinator' signs next to plants that bees and butterflies love. Planting any of those is a good first step. The second step is to add in native plants. Native plants fill all the needs of our native insects whereas many showy flowering plants only provide nectar. Most bees are generalist and can visit any that flower that supports the length of their tongue, but many of the other insects around us they can only eat or lay eggs on native plant leaves.
Leaving a little mess
Beyond food, bees and other pollinators need places to burrow and nest, old flower stalks and leaf piles in which to lay their eggs and over-winter. Set aside places on your lot that let leaves pile up, allow stumps to peel down their bark and berries to linger for birds.
Under redesign!
This summer was my first year working on a pollinator garden and I learned so so so much! The first thing I leaned was - plant wildflowers in the FALL.....so please come back soon and see what to plant! Plus other garden lessons I learned this year!
Carol