In recent decades, the number of pollinating insects has dropped dramatically and many species have become endangered. The main reasons for a dwindling population of pollinating insects is due to several factors, including declining wildlife and the use of pesticides.
To do your share in accommodating wildlife, it is important to grow plants in your garden that attract more pollinating insects. Besides doing something very important for nature, this is an especially pleasant task if you want to have a greater diversity of plants.
What space do you have available?
If you only have a patch of greenery, you can use the space vertically by adding hanging plants that bees and butterflies love. In many gardens the space is too small and the soil too poor, but a balance in the variety of plants will work wonders. All you have to take into account before planting flowering plants is how and where to plant, and how big and wide the plants will grow.
If you have more space, the minimum space for a group of plants should be 1 square meter in size. In a spot, you can plant 3 to 5 different species. If you want to create the impression of layers, you need an area at least 3 m long and 1 m wide.
Consider the colors
If you want a good color combination, you may think pink, blue and purple. For example, patches of echinacea, verbena and lavender behave like a magnet for bees during the summer. Another good combination is red, yellow and orange.
When choosing your plants, opt for species that have a single flower on the stem rather than hybrids, and do not forget plants that bloom several times a year and thus provide more pollen for bees.
Lawn borders
For an easier maintenance of the lawn and for most striking effect, you can choose plants with blue, purple or bright green flowers, especially species that bloom several times a year. Plants with thorns may serve as refuge for insects.
The middle of the lawn
In the middle of lawn spaces, it is best to plant flowers of medium height, such as perennial sage, roses or Cirsium. Of course, you have innumerable other options besides these.
Behind the lawn
Here, choose to plant flowers that grows quickly and offers nectar to butterflies and bees, but also color and various shapes that insects are interested in and that also look good in your garden.
Other rules
According to experts, the key to a bee and butterfly paradise is to keep in mind that native plants grow the most vigorously and produce the most nectar and pollen. Besides these, aromatic herbs such as lavender, rosemary, marjoram and chives are also excellent, as they provide pollen and nectar from early spring to late autumn.
Don’t forget to plant trees, if you can. Apple, pear, cherry, peach and other blossoms will provide a lot of food for pollinating insects. In addition, the large variety of colorful plants and flowers will attract not only butterflies and bees but also bumblebees and insects that are able to extract nectar from almost any type of flower.