{"id":12404,"date":"2022-11-18T03:28:02","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T03:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.earthworksjax.com\/gardencenter\/?p=12404"},"modified":"2026-02-10T23:01:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:01:33","slug":"help-save-our-pollinators-plant-a-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.earthworksjax.com\/gardencenter\/help-save-our-pollinators-plant-a-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Help Save our Pollinators-Plant a Garden!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When a pollen grain moves from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part), pollination happens. This is the first step in a process that produces seeds, fruits, and the next generation of plants. This can happen through self-pollination, wind and water pollination, or through the work of vectors that move pollen within the flower and from bloom to bloom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us\u00a0one out of every three bites of food.<\/strong>\u00a0They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce.<\/p>\n Pollinating animals travel from plant to plant carrying pollen on their bodies in a vital interaction that allows the transfer of genetic material critical to the reproductive system of most flowering plants \u2013 the very plants that<\/p>\n This nearly invisible ecosystem service is a precious resource that requires attention and support \u2013 \u2013 and in disturbing evidence found around the globe, is increasingly in jeopardy.\u00a0 Pollinator Partnership, 2021. \u201cPollinators need you. You need Pollinators.\u201d<\/p>\n Published by Pollinator Partnership, San Francisco, USA. pollinators.org<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Our pollinators are in trouble with declining numbers worldwide. There are multiple causes including, habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive plants, climate change, and diseases.<\/strong><\/p>\n In Florida, we have 300 native\u00a0bees<\/strong>, 160\u00a0butterfly\u00a0<\/strong>species\u00a0that breed here and about 200\u00a0species\u00a0that migrate through the state, and 3 commonly seen\u00a0hummingbird<\/strong>\u00a0species.<\/strong><\/p>\n Bees\u00a0<\/strong>are our most efficient pollinators. Practicing \u201cflower Constancy,\u201d searching for certain plants on their foraging trips. They go to and from the same species of flower. Pollinating a third of the world\u2019s food supply.<\/p>\n Searching for nectar,\u00a0butterflies<\/strong>\u00a0pick up pollen and accidentally pollinate, not quite as efficient as the honeybee. Yet, several plant species, like milkweed and other wildflowers, depend on butterflies to transfer their pollen.<\/p>\n Hummingbirds<\/strong>\u00a0are hungry creatures feeding most of the day. This makes them perfect pollinators for many flowers. Certain flower varieties have evolved to become even more appealing to these tiny birds.<\/p>\n Gardening for Pollinators in your own yard can help!<\/strong>\u00a0As natural habitats are being destroyed to\u00a0accommodate new development, the importance of gardening to assist bee and butterfly populations is growing. Planting a pollinator garden in your yard helps combat this loss of natural habitats.<\/p>\n BEES:\u00a0<\/strong>Honeybees prefer white, yellow, purple, and blue flowers \u2014 they can\u2019t even see the color red! Bees also need a nice-sized landing pad, so broad petal, daisy-like flowers are best. Finally, they need both pollen and nectar to feed the hive. So fruit-producing trees and shrubs, as well as native plants, fill the bill.<\/p>\n BUTTERFLIES:\u00a0<\/strong>If you want a well-attended butterfly party in your yard, invite your local butterfly species by planting their favorite host plants! Butterflies require specific host plant species to lay their eggs on, along with food and shelter. Then add some nectar plants, preferably with red, orange, yellow, and pink trumpet-shaped flowers, to feed your guest.<\/p>\n HUMMINGBIRDS:\u00a0<\/strong>Brightly colored, preferably red, tubular flowers\u00a0that hold the most nectar are particularly attractive to\u00a0hummingbirds. Plant these sugar-rich plants near and around your home and patio areas for the best opportunity to view these elusive and amazing birds.<\/p>\n Black-Eyed Susan<\/p>\n Coral Honeysuckle<\/p>\n Marigolds<\/p>\n Lavender<\/p>\n Purple Coneflower<\/p>\n Milkweed<\/p>\n Coreopsis<\/p>\n Gaillardia<\/p>\n Dune Sunflower<\/p>\n Blue-Eyed Grass<\/p>\n Liatris<\/p>\n Alyssum<\/p>\n Agastache Bee Balm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Lantana<\/p>\n Penta<\/p>\n Buddleia<\/p>\n Firebush<\/p>\n Salvia<\/p>\n Porterweed<\/p>\n Sweet Almond Bush<\/p>\n Firespike<\/p>\n Black-Eyed Susan<\/p>\n Purple Coneflower<\/p>\n Milkweed<\/p>\n Coreopsis<\/p>\n Gaillardia Dune Sunflower<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Firebush<\/p>\n Coral honeysuckle<\/p>\n Coralbean<\/p>\n Tropical Sage<\/p>\n Crossvine<\/p>\n Cardinal flower<\/p>\n Necklace Pod<\/p>\n Cigar Plant<\/p>\n Bat face Cuphea<\/p>\n Salvia<\/p>\n Jatropha<\/p>\n Bottlebrush<\/p>\n Shrimp plant Soap Aloe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Avoid using insecticides and other harmful chemicals in your garden.<\/p>\n Shop the garden centers at different times to select plants that bloom in different seasons.<\/p>\n Fertilize with organic plant foods, like compost and fish fertilizer.<\/p>\n Choose plants for butterflies that will provide food for caterpillars.<\/p>\n Common<\/strong>\u00a0caterpillar host plants:\u00a0<\/strong>Milkweed, Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Dutchman\u2019s Pipevine, Passion Vine, Azalea, Cassia\/Senna Trees<\/p>\n Butterfly adults need more than nectar from flowers. Try setting out a dish full of fruit scraps. Fill the bottom with a very shallow layer of water mixed with sea salt and watch which butterflies hang around for a snack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Useful Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Pollinator facts:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Selecting the right plants for your Pollinator Garden<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n



Important Tips:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n