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PLANT OF THE MONTH
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Plant five or more to attract pollinators
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As one of our top pollinator plants, foxglove beardtongue ( Penstemon digitalis) attracts bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds. Small hairs on the stamen (the male part of the flower) make it look like a bearded tongue.
Tubular white flowers flare open to reveal violet lines on the bottom petals. These lines guide long-tongued pollinators like bumble bees and leaf-cutter bees to the nectar within. Some shorter-tongued bees, like carpenter bees, bite a tiny hole at the back of the flower to reach the nectar.
The flowers begin to bloom in June and can last for up to one month. As the blossoms fade, oval seed capsules form. As fall approaches, the leaves turn a deep burgundy red, extending their beauty in the garden late into the season.
Foxglove beardtongue is a clump-forming perennial that grows 90-120 centimetres tall. It does well in all soil types and prefers full sun or part shade. It’s drought, compaction, and salt tolerant, making it ideal for urban yards.
Plant in groups of at least five to make the flowers easy for pollinators to find. Combine with wildflowers that bloom at different times, such as wild strawberry, prairie smoke, butterfly milkweed, dense blazing-star and white heath Aster. You can also combine with short grasses like little bluestem to give even more species of caterpillars a place to grow.
Discover more pollinator-friendly additions for your yard with our Pollinator Plant List. |
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CARING FOR YOUR YARD
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Some wasps are also pollinators
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Wasps can be aggressive if you disturb their nest. They can also be annoying when you’re trying to enjoy a drink on the patio. But many wasps play an important role in our gardens, like insect pest control and pollination. Here are some natural ways to reduce wasp encounters while letting them continue their important work in our yards.
Remove food sources
In spring and early summer, wasps are attracted to foods that contain protein. Remove any foods left outdoors and keep garbage and compost bins covered.
In late summer, wasps become more aggressive and interested in sweet foods. Cover drinks and avoid walking barefoot near fruit trees. Remove any fallen fruit rotting on the ground. Use native plants instead of hummingbird feeders to attract hummingbirds.
Repel them naturally
Spraying a blend of essential oils (including peppermint, clove, geranium, or lemongrass) and water on surfaces outside your home including under eaves, porch roofs, and other ledges and crevices, may prevent wasps from building nests in those locations. Pots of spearmint, thyme, marigolds, and citronella around outdoor seating areas may also help.
Seal entry points
Keep wasps out of your home by patching up torn screens and cracks around windows and door frames. Check siding for gaps where powerlines and cables enter your home.
Avoid swatting
When some wasps are swatted or squashed, they release a distress pheromone that attracts nearby wasps. It’s best to walk away from a hovering wasp.
Photo of great golden digger wasp by Melissa Creasey
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DID YOU KNOW
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Sweat bees love black-eyed Susan
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Pollination through Insects
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Nectar, the tasty treat hidden inside a flower, feeds many small mammals, birds and insects. Most importantly, it attracts pollinators. Pollinators are the creatures that help plants produce the fruit and seeds that are needed to create more plants.
The reproductive parts of a plant are often conveniently located near the nectar. When a bumble bee visits a flower for nectar, it also picks up pollen from the male part of the flower. Fertilization occurs when it transfers this pollen to the female parts of the same or different flower. Once a flower is fertilized, it can produce seeds.
Pollinators come in different shapes and sizes, reflecting the diversity of the flowers that attract them. The most common pollinators include native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. But some moths, beetles, bats, wasps, and flies also pollinate.
Attract your favourite pollinator to your yard by planting these top flowering plants:
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This flower’s long tube-like stalk lets hummingbirds hover and extract nectar using their long tongues. The bright red colour attracts these high-energy birds.
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Did you know butterflies taste with their feet? The hundreds of disk florets on black-eyed Susan blooms create a butterfly buffet. The large, flat blossoms also provide a place to rest while feeding.
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Not all bees can reach the nectar found in this cone-shaped flower. But small species or those with long tongues can easily take a sip. Multiple blooms on each plant invite many to dine at once.
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Photo of sweat bee by Erika Nardone
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EVENTS
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CVC's Butterfly Blitz
May 8 - September 18
Join us for CVC's third annual Butterfly Blitz. This summer-long citizen science project is a great way to connect with nature and spend time outdoors. No experience is necessary. All you need is a smart phone or tablet and curiosity to explore. Learn more or register for a training event at cvc.ca/butterflyblitz.
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At Credit Valley Conservation, we create connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We lead the protection, restoration and enhancement of our local natural environment, and we inspire a deep appreciation for the role of nature in keeping us connected, healthy and happy.
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