National Pollinator Week is June 19th through 25th

The many benefits of pollinators

Many often wonder why pollinators are important in their garden. Pollinators are important because they are vital in the reproduction of flowering plants and the fruits and vegetables. So if you want large blooms, seeds, fruits, and vegetables in your garden, make it a pollinator friendly garden!

For more information on Minnesota Native Bees check out the University of Minnesota Wild Bees and Building Wild Bee houses handbook. (Wild Bee Houses near the middle of the document)

For more information pertaining to pollinator education check out the Learning Center at Pollinator Partnership.

Planting Reccomendations

To attract more pollinators to your garden be sure to ask your designer to include these flowing plants into your plan or look for these plants at your local garden center. These are not the only flowering plants that attract pollinators.

• For Butterflies:
  • Perennials: Yarrow, Coneflower, Phlox
  • Annuals: Zinnia, Aster, Dill
• For Bees:
  • Perennials: Daisy, Aster, Salvia
  • Annuals: Dahlia , Sunflower, Lavender
• For Humming Birds:
  • Perennials: Lilly, Lilac, Azalea
  • Annuals: Snapdragon, Monkey Flower, Fuchsia

For planting guides check out the Planting Guides at the Pollinator Partnership.

Pollinator Friendly Practices

In order to give the pollinators the best treatment possible in your garden use these pollinator friendly practices:

• Avoid using insecticides and pesticides
• Plant a pollinator garden
• Use native planting material
• Provide shelter for the pollinators
  • Windbreaks
  • Nesting Areas- could include nectar/pollen trees as well as nest boxes
• Control Invasive/Exotic plant species in your yard
  • Invasive Species Resource (Aquatic and Terrestrial) MN DNR Guide
• Minimize your environmental impact