Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
A pollinator garden can be designed to take over an entire yard, or you can simply carve out a corner to provide respite and food for visiting insects and birds. The following tips can help you design your garden.
1. Choose Natives
Although there are many horticultural flowering plant varieties that put out impressive blooms, these plants may provide little in the way of pollen and nectar for the native pollinator insects in your region. Instead, choose mainly native flowering trees, shrubs, and plants for your pollinator garden. These are often more attractive to the wild bees and native insects in your area. Plus, native wildflowers can be quite impressive when planted in dense strips.
2. Cluster Plants
Pollinators go to the plants that require the least amount of energy loss to harvest. By clustering plants together, you create an area of easy feeding that is also quite attractive to look upon. Layer the clusters by putting in low-growing wildflowers around medium-height shrubs that are then nestled under low-flower tree varieties. This provides plenty of choice for the pollinators and packs quite a visual punch for you.
3. Diversify Food
Some pollinating insects are drawn to flowers to feast on the pollen, while others are nectar feeders. Providing a combination of flowering plants that appeal to both types. Plus, nectar-producing plants, such as columbine and nasturtiums, also attract bird pollinators like hummingbirds. Intersperse both types of plants among each other to create a rich tapestry of color, texture, and food source choice.
4. Plant Continuously
Pollinators are active all throughout the spring and summer growing season, with many insects still visiting the garden until frost descends in late fall. Landscape with a variety of plants that bloom at different times so that there is always a ready food source for any pollinators that visit your yard. Spring flowering trees and early bloomers like pansies can begin the show, followed by summer wildflowers and blooming shrubs like butterfly bush. Chrysanthemums, black-eyed Susans, and other late bloomers can finish out the season.
5. Provide Water
Just as birds benefit from a bird bath, pollinating insects can benefit from their own water source. Bees, in particular, need water as they work. You can use traditional birdbaths, which are available in a range of styles and designs to fit your landscape design. Simply add a layer of pretty rocks to the basin so the water is shallow enough that the insects won't drown.
Contact a garden design service if you need help with plotting out your new pollinator garden.
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