Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of most of our plants and the produce we grow. The loss of commercial honeybees to colony collapse disorder has been well documented. It is urgent for gardeners to help pollinators thrive. By adding plants that produce food and shelter for pollinators, we can all make a difference to these most necessary creatures.

The pollinators in our area include bees (both native and honeybees), butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and birds. I have limited the following suggestions to some readily available plants. There are many others! A good resource for more information is the Pollinator Partnership: www.pollinator.org.

Native bees ollinate many crops in our area. The varying length of their tongues determines which flowers they can draw nectar and pollen from. They are generally attracted to plants with white, yellow and shades of red/violet blossoms. Tubular flower shapes are best. Bee favorites include summer phlox, alyssum, annual poppies, asters, even clover. Bees will enjoy your garden zinnias, too, and will flock to Joe-Pye weed. 

Butterflies refer flowering plants that are in full sun, protected from the wind and near water sources. Try to provide a bit of open ground or at least large stones where they can rest safely. Many trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants support butterfly populations. Butterflies in the larval stage may cause some damage to host plants. Examples of these larval food plants include the parsley family (Apiaceae) — carrot, celery and dill, but also Queen Anne’s lace — and milkweeds. Butterflies readily visit blue false indigo (Baptisia australis), black-eyed Susans and other rudbeckias. and New York and New England asters and other members of the Symphyotrichum clan.

Moths re active after dark, and some night-blooming plants, such as moonflower and evening primrose actually evolved to attract them. Others, like honeysuckle, flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) and tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) smell stronger at night, the better to attract these nighttime pollinators.

Beetles lso play a role in pollination, though they tend to damage plants as they eat and drop pollen here and there. They generally like large, strong-scented flowers such as various magnolias, Calycanthus, yellow pond lilies and paw paw (Asimina triloba). 

Flies re also attracted to paw paw, and can be important pollinators for other species, including goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and cranesbill (Geranium spp.). 

Hummingbirds re the primary bird pollinators in our area. Pollen rubs off on their beaks and feathers. They are attracted to bright-colored, tubular flowers. It is interesting to note that hummingbirds can see the color red, while bees cannot. Hummingbirds are often seen on honeysuckle, but they also enjoy milkweeds and lobelias and they love the red brushes of red buckeyes (Aesculus pavia).

Many plants do double duty. Nectar and pollen-rich coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are appealing to butterflies and to bees, and bees and hummingbirds like hyssops, salvias and the bee balms. Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) and sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) will attract beetles and butterflies. Both hummingbirds and butterflies will visit native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). 

To support pollinators, in addition to planting host plants, try not to be too concerned with total neatness. Leave some dead branches, leaf litter and weeds that offer shelter as well as food. Also, always provide safe access to a clean water supply.