Summary
A featured blog post from our friend and edible plant expert, Lisa Taylor! Pollinators and beneficial insects are attracted to a garden with many flowers.
This blog post on Flowers for Pollinators is a featured collaboration with our friend and edible plant expert, Lisa Taylor! Learn more about Lisa!
Pollinators and beneficial insects are attracted to a garden with many flowers. In their adult stage, many beneficials need to sip flower nectar to survive. Also, they will choose such a place to lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, the larvae will stay around and get fat feeding on summer insect pests and plants. Let some of your favorite vegetables go to flower to invite more pollinators to your garden.
All members of a plant family share similar flower characteristics, and there are some families that are especially favored by beneficial pollinators.
Something to consider before planting something you’ve never worked with before: check the Washington State Noxious Weed List. It’s always a good rule of thumb to know what the consequences can be of planting something that will out compete native plant species and destroy local habitats. These recommendations are based on plants we have worked with, but don’t always recommend free-seeding onto your property. Gardening is a privilege and a responsibility we have the honor of experiencing. Lets continue to be smart gardeners!
Plant names highlighted in purple are Shooting Star Garden’s addtional recommendations!
Onion Family Amaryllidaceae
Often called alliums, onions form a flowerhead that consists of many individual flowers providing numerous feeding opportunities on a single plant. Chives , Garlic Chives, Welsh Onion, Leeks, Bunching Onions, Nodding Onions
Cabbage Family Brassicaceae.
These valuable spring flowering plants provide nectar for hummingbirds, lacewings and lady beetles. Alyssum, Arugula, Bok Choy, Kale, Mustards, Broccoli, Nasturtium, Radish, & Cauliflower
Carrot Family, Apiaceae
This family is so popular with beneficial insects that sometimes you can’t see the flower for the bugs! carrots, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, lovage, coriander & celery.
Pea Family, Fabaceae
Pea flowers supply nectar through their secondary nectaries providing food very early in the spring, before most flowers have started blooming. Fava beans, snap peas, shelling and snow peas, & dry beans, lupine, clovers & false indigo.
Sunflower Family, Asteraceae
These nectar-producing marvels are far and away the best family for providing nectar. Choose single-petaled varieties for insect attraction. Zinnias, calendula, marigolds, dandelions, yarrow, sunflowers, asters, chamomile, coneflower, cosmos, lettuce, tickseed & so much more!
Buckwheat Family, Polygonaceae
Summer bloomers with hundreds of tiny flowers are favored by beneficial wasps and hover flies. Garden sorrel (plant with caution, it is an aggressive spreader), perennial buckwheat, annual buckwheat & rhubarb.
Pink Family, Caryophyliaceae
The sweet smell of carnations for the gardener and the delicious nectar for beneficial insects. Baby’s breath, carnations, dianthus & rose campion.
Teasel Family, Dipsacaceae
The pincushion flowers are beloved by the many hover fly species that live in your garden. The hover fly is a pollinator and its young are voracious eaters of aphids. Scabiosa or pincushion flower. Note: Common Teasel is a Class C Noxious Weed, please do not plant it.
Mint Family, Lamiaceae
Members of this family make flower stalks that consist of many tiny flowers. Some, such at Motherwort, have secondary nectaries along the stem. Bee balm, catmint, oregano, sage, thyme, hyssop, salvia, basil & lamb’s ear. Note: We do not recommend planting any mint in ground because it is an aggressive spreader.
If you liked this and you want to hear more from Lisa, check out her personal website, gardeningwithlisa.com!