Flower Pollinators for Your Garden

Hi, Sweet Friends,
 I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Flowers & Fruit are great sources of pollen.

Now that our garden is in its 2nd year, I've been planting seeds that will attract pollinators to the gardens. 

What are Pollinators? Pollinators are birds, insects, and vertebrates that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains. Insect pollinators include bees,; pollen wasps; ants; flies including bee flies, hoverflies and mosquitoes; lepidopterans, both butterflies and moths; and flower beetles. Vertebrates, mainly bats and birds, but also some non-bat mammals and some lizards pollinate certain plants. Among the pollinating birds are hummingbirds, honeyeaters and sunbirds with long beaks; they pollinate a number of deep-throated flowers. A pollinator is different from a pollenizer, a plant that is a source of pollen for the pollination process. Wikipedia

What does all that mean? Well, most plants need pollinators to fertilize the plants or the seeds won't develop. How they do this is by attracting pollinators to them with vivid shades of color and a wonderful fragrance that will attract the pollinators.
 Not long ago, we in North America had the loss of millions of bees. The bees were dying and local gardeners were determined to bring back the bees.

Chickory

It is much better now, but the bees still need pollinators to make the honey and take care of the hives.

Sunflower from my 2017 Garden, CJD.Sign

I've created a list and photos to go along with the list of Pollinators that are good for the birds and the bees. Plant some of these in your gardens, in potted gardens, and in ornamental planters around your yard to encourage pollination.

Pollinating Plants by Category and Easy ID

Herbs For The Birds & Bees

Dill

Mint

Hyssop

Lavender

Rosemary

Yarrow

Calendula

Chives

Bronze fennel

Annuals For Birds & Bees

Cosmos

Nasturtium

Poppies

 
Bachelor’s buttons

Sunflowers

Celosia

Perennials For Birds & Bees

Purple & White Coneflower

Butterfly bush

Salvia

Bee balm

Lantana

Black-eyed Susan

Coreopsis

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Squash

Beans (on a trellis or “teepee” structure w/poles)

You don't have to plant all of these, they are suggestions. However, a few each year will bring more pollinators to your garden and that will inturn bring bigger flowers, fruit, and vegetables for you! It's a Win/Win for everyone!

Enjoy!

Let’s connect!
Aside from email, social media is another great way to pick up updates from me.
Follow me on Twitter
Like my Facebook page
Pin my Pics on Pinterest
Follow me on Pinterest 
Follow me on Instagram 
Follow me on Photography Talk

 Our Sponsor: Custom Gem Cutter

 Amethyst Lavender with hints of Citrine

 Amethyst Royal Purple .64ct