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June is Pollinator Month

This month, we’re celebrating pollinators and all they do for our ecosystem, landscapes, and agricultural crops. When mentioning pollinators, we normally think of bees, but did you know there are over 200,000 species of pollinators on our planet? Butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, birds, bats, beetles and other small mammals help plants to reproduce by carrying pollen from the anther (male part) of a flower to the stigma (female part).   This action is the first step in the process of seed and fruit production.

Nearly 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce, and many pollinator populations are rapidly declining due to a loss of habitat and rise in pollution.

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden in your landscape or backyard is an excellent way to provide habitat for bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and more! Start by adding native plants and flowers they enjoy visiting. Adding other larger natives such as Gray Dogwood, Black Cherry, and Oak Trees helps to build a sustainable habitat. Below are several suggestions for the pollinator-friendly garden.

Abelia

A deciduous shrub with white to light pink, fragrant blooms from May - September. Prefers full sun to part shade. Enjoy beautiful transitional foliage colors in fall.

Agastache

A herbaceous perennial with light to medium purple blooms in June - September and fragrant foliage. Prefers full sun to part shade and a well drained soil.

Aster

A herbaceous perennial with pink - purple flowers. Blooms in August - September. Prefers full sun and a rich, moist soil.

Echinacea

Also known as Coneflower, a low maintenance herbaceous perennial that comes in a variety of colors. Prefers full sun to part shade. Blooms June - August.

Eupatorium

Also known as Joe Pye Weed, a herbaceous perennial with mauve-pink blooms in July - September. Prefers full sun and a medium - wet soil. An excellent choice for a rain garden.

Leucanthemum

Also known as Shasta Daisy, a herbaceous perennial with bright white blooms in July - September. Prefers full sun and a dry to medium soil.

Phlox

A herbaceous perennial with white and pinkish-purple blooms in summer. Prefers a rich, moist, well drained soil and full sun - part shade.

Salvia

A low maintenance, herbaceous perennial with with striking, purple blooms from June - September. Prefers full sun and a well drained soil.

Jun 10th 2020 Esbenshade's Garden Centers

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