It's hard to care about every national fill-in-the-blank day/week that rolls around, but I'd like to make a case for Pollinator Week. It reminds (and invites) us to truly engage with our gardens. After all, gardening is about cherishing each little view that makes all the hard work worth it. And pollinators are high on the list of things that make us smile. So, to make the most of the celebratory week (June 19-25) in your garden, there are three ways you can prepare now:
1 - Identify the plants in your garden that attract the most pollinators and are in full flower now.
Make a list ahead of time, so you'll know which plants to make a beeline to when you're free to observe! You'll have more time to devote to simply watching butterflies and bees actively sip nectar or gather pollen.
Shrubs pollinators love that might be blooming in your garden right now:
Provide water with a shallow bird bath (with landing places like rocks) or a little watering station (a small, shallow dish filled with rocks). Bees specifically rely on water, so once they find your supply, you'll have another way to support and regularly observe them. Add water routinely and change it when necessary.
3 - Share the space.
Whether you have friends who garden or family that humors you, make some plans to enjoy time together in your space. Here are a few ways you might invite loved ones into the garden to observe (and celebrate) these essential creatures:
- Morning coffee. Which pollinators are out at this time?
- An insect scavenger hunt! Make a list of types of bugs to look for. Observe while they do their jobs, noting which bugs are on which plants (hummingbirds on tubular flowers, beetles on spirea, etc.)
- Garden picnic. Observe nearby plants. Do they happen to attract pollinator larvae to feed on foliage?
- Spot moths after dark! Bring a flashlight outside, leave a porch light on, or set up this neat activity.
If you'd like to get involved in some local activities, check this list to see if anything is happening near you.
Now, is there anything to do after all of the excitement of pollinator week has passed? Yes! The Pollinator Partnership has shared a list of seven things you can do to make a difference.
Check all the boxes with this native shrub! Its cheery yellow blooms draw in pollinators in the summertime and its dramatic foliage actually serves as food to their larvae. It's also super easy going. Little pruning. Drought tolerant. And performs well in clay soil!
full sun (6+ hours of direct sun) to full shade (4 hours or less of direct sun)
They are 100% friends. You'll often see their larvae and think they must be a pest, but they'll soon grow into their typical ladybug form and get right to work eating aphids. If your garden has ladybugs, count yourself lucky!
Hop on Spotify to get watering advice from Stacey and Rick in their Gardening Simplified podcast.
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Written by Kristina Howley, Proven Winners ColorChoice Horticulturist
Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs are bred, tested and selected to bring you more success with less effort. From longer bloom times and easy-care petite sizes to lush foliage and grand blossoms on sturdy stems, the most enviable gardens begin with our distinctive white pot.
Spring Meadow Nursery, 12601 120th Avenue, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417, United States, 800-633-8859
