Bees, butterflies and birds are dreamy and delightful harbingers of summer joy. They are also pollinators that protect our food supply. Many of us are big pollinator proponents. We want to make conscientious choices and protect those precious creatures from dwindling because of habitat loss, pesticides and disease. But honestly, some of the stuff you read makes it sound like you need a sloppy, weed-filled yard to support them. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. You can have a gorgeous, well-tended landscape that’s also pollinator-friendly. Here are some of the steps you can take to turn your outdoor space into a pollinator paradise.
How Can I Plan My Pollinator Paradise?
If promoting pollinators is your goal, it’s the perfect time to have that conversation with your landscaper. There are several mindful approaches to boosting pollinators while achieving a beautiful, well-tended lawn.
- Choose native plants: Native plants are perfectly adapted to local insects and birds to provide necessary nutrients. These native plantings usually flourish in your region’s soils and climate, so they’re a perfect choice to attract birds and desirable insects.
- Encourage plant diversity: To attract (and keep) pollinators throughout the spring, summer and fall, you want a diverse range of plants that bloom across three seasons. These include crocuses and other early-flower bulbs in spring, echinacea, daisies, and phlox in summer, and dahlias and asters in the fall. Mixing trees and shrubs with flowers is another approach that helps your garden look fabulous while providing different pollen and nectar sources throughout the three seasons. Consider early blooming trees for spring and fruit trees for summer.
- Native grasses are a gorgeous addition to your yard and provide cozy habitats for bees and other insects.
- Planting in clusters can help you create easy-to-locate spaces for bees and butterflies.
- Sun-loving varietals which are bright flowers that thrive in sunlight are a magnet for pollinators, so talk to your landscaper about incorporating some into your landscape. Or some such – maybe you can word it better.
- Pollinator features like bee hotels added to your landscape make it intentionally welcoming.
- Reducing pesticides and talking with your landscaper about natural or organic options for pest control can minimize environmental damage (and protect beneficial insects).
- Permeable pavers prevent rainwater runoff and protect your pollinator plantings when designing hardscaping. Trellises and vertical planters can also increase accessibility for bees and butterflies.
How Can I Protect and Maintain My Pollinator Paradise?
Will my pollinator garden require a lot of extra work? Probably not. Usually, the same things we do to attract those beautiful butterflies are the same things we do for overall landscape maintenance.
- Organic mulch (like shredded hardwood) is a natural weed control and helps plants and shrubs retain water. Talk with your landscaper about converting a few turf areas to mulched flower beds.
- Pruning–removes dead branches and helps your flowering shrubs and trees grow and thrive.
- Have your landscaper watch your pollinator garden to check for signs of pests or disease.
Do I Need To Give Up My Impeccable Lawn For Pollinators?
While you might have seen some of the pro-dandelion news articles circulating, having a clean, tidy lawn and a pollinator-friendly landscape is possible. Your pollinator paradise doesn’t have to be messy and full of weeds to appeal to desirable bugs. With the right design, you can have a gorgeous landscape that meets your aesthetic needs while catering to birds, butterflies and bees. At Epling Landscaping and Lawn Service, we love combining lawn care with landscape maintenance. If pollinators are your jam, we’re ready to help you find the perfect design to meet your bright, beautiful goals.
