Incorporating pollinator plants in your landscape could make you the bee’s knees.
More than 80% of the world’s flowering plants need insects such as bees to spread pollen and help the plants produce fruit and seed, according to farmers.gov. Some of the most common pollinators — bees, butterflies and moths — also serve as a snack for animals. The plants that lure pollinators also help stabilize the soil and filter water.
But what about gardeners who want beneficial plants but are allergic to bees? There are native plants that will attract butterflies, moths, dragonflies and hummingbirds — but not bees.
The buzz on bees and butterflies
Bees cannot see the same spectrum of colors that butterflies can, according to a “Selecting Plants for Pollinators” guide by the Pollinator Partnership, one geared to the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province ecological region.
Bees make a beeline for bright white, yellow and blue blossoms, so avoid plants with these vivid colors. Also consider the shape of the flower. Bees have round bodies and prefer flowers that allow them to land and drink the nectar. Avoid plants with shallow, tubular flowers such as fuchsia, trumpet vine and columbine.
Butterflies, however, can see a wide range of colors and gravitate toward bright red, yellow, orange, pink and purple flowers.
The Butterfly Society of Virginia suggests planting the following, which are accustomed to Southeastern Virginia’s climate: lantana and abelia shrubs; perennials such as verbena, purple coneflower, butterfly weed, Joe Pye weed, sedum and garden phlox; and annuals such as zinnia, impatiens, cosmos and vinca.
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Moths to flame
Moths also play a role in pollination. They gravitate to flowers that have strong, sweet scents and open in the late afternoon or night. Bees cannot see red or pink very well, but moths do. To attract moths, include plants with pale, dull red, purple, pink or white blossoms. Moths also prefer a tubular flower shape without a lip. Try planting impatiens, petunia and moonflower.
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Don’t forget hummingbirds
These birds are experts at siphoning nectar from the long tubular flowers of bee balm, salvia, coral honeysuckle and cardinal flower, according to the pollinators guide. Hanging red hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water (mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar) will also lure these birds to the landscape, adding a supplemental nectar source — and entertainment for the gardener.
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Where to plant, and other stinging pests to consider
Where to plant and how to tend to gardens should also be considered when keeping stinging insects at bay. Gardening enthusiasts, regardless of whether they wish to avoid bees, should keep flowering, bee-friendly plantings away from communal areas such as patios, garden paths and play areas.
Trimming back overgrown trees and shrubs annually will deter bees and wasps, and sealing exterior holes or cracks in the home’s foundation will keep insects from building nests. Check for suspicious-looking holes in the ground or in hollow logs, which could be home to insects, including yellow jackets and hornets. Keep an eye out for wasps’ nests under sheds, in crawl spaces and in crevices around the home’s exterior. And be careful when mowing the lawn or trimming vegetation, activities that might arouse nesting bumblebees and other stingers.
