Plants for pollinators

A program this evening in Johnson City, TN, for a lovely group of folks, sponsored by the Southern Appalachian Plant Society (SAPS), has me continuing to think about the importance of strengthening the ecological food webs in our urban, suburban, and rural environments.

I hope I provided inspiration and encouragement around planting for pollinators. (Both an older version of the presentation that I gave, as well as the handout, are on the sidebar).

Ultimately, I think that gardeners are going to make the difference, as we move forward in a human-influenced age on our planet, by planting native plants that help re-knit the fabric of our altered ecosystems in cities and towns.  Ditto, in "rural" landscapes.

Taking a detour towards historic Jonesborough, I drove past more small houses surrounded by nothing but lawn than I'd like to see in a rural area.  Where were the trees and shrubs?

Let's plant (or encourage volunteer) native trees that support pollinators and other insects. Oaks, yellow poplar, black gum, black cherry, sweetgum, etc.

Why not use shrubs that "work for a living"? -- that is, why not consider if they provide food for pollinators, herbivores, as well as shelter for birds?  There are lots of great choices.

pocket meadow late August 2013

And herbaceous perennials that support pollinators -- well, there are lots of them, as long as we avoid ornamentals that don't produce much or any nectar or pollen  -- these include highly modified perennials (bearded irises, gladiolus, tulips, peonies, mop-head hydrangeas, etc.)