Page 2

 

2. Perennial Favorites For Bees and Butterflies

 

 

If the idea of not replanting the entire bed each year appeals to you, then consider using perennials. Those species that bloom for relatively long periods of time will receive lots of attention from bees and butterflies.

A bold backdrop of the tall Joe Pye weed (formerly Eupatorium, now Eutrochium) and several garden phlox (powdery mildew resistant varieties) will entice the pollinators. Add a sinuous drift of black-eyed Susans; Rudbeckia fulgida v. fulgida blooms for a longer period than ‘Goldsturm’. Also, coreopsis, coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), butterfly bush (Buddleia), and perennial asters (such as ‘Monch’ or ‘Purple Dome’).

Plant several clumps of sedum (Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’ or ‘Matrona’, for example) toward the front. These drought tolerant succulents bloom later, providing color from mid summer into early autumn. The birds will feed on seedpods left standing after bloom. Birds might also take triangular bites from the leaf margins, for moisture and minerals. Deer take much bigger bites.

The sedum behaves better if you cut the plant halfway to the ground once the plant has reached about 1′ tall, in mid spring. The remaining stems will branch out, giving more flowers later. Denser growth will help prevent the plant from splaying open from its own weight. This procedure works well with tall, late blooming perennials.

 

Permanent Residents

The perennials mentioned above grow larger than most annuals, so plan on removing even more of the grass. (“No problem!”). Plant according to their mature size, to avoid having to fuss over them later. Planted too closely, perennials become susceptible to diseases, and crowding won’t enhance their flowering.

Over the years, you’ll need to divide some of the old clumps. But the flowering will be impressive, and the bees and butterflies ever grateful!

 

More Perennials

Baptisia, Buddleia (butterfly bush), clover, columbine (Aquilegia), coral bells (Heuchera species), coral honeysuckle vine (Lonicera sempervirens), Caryopteris, foxglove (Digitalis, a biennial). Goldenrod (Solidago), Helianthus, Liatris, milkweed (Asclepias), Monarda, passionflower vine (Passiflora), Salvia ‘Black and Bloom’, yarrow, and hundreds more.

 

Lavender

 

 

In order to grow lavender successfully, it is critical to do proper soil preparation. It must be gritty and drain fast. And the site must receive full sun, at least 7 or 8 hours each day. Lavender also demands excellent air circulation, so plant them out in the open, with nothing hovering over or near them.

Lavender will grow in clay soil, after ample amendments have been incorporated. This involves re-working the root zone, but if you’re determined to have lavender (pollinators love it), that is where you start. Avoid wetting the foliage.

If your conditions are less than perfect, try a few of the more durable varieties, such as ‘Phenomenal’, ‘Munstead’, or ‘Provence’. Learn how to propagate lavender in order to economically expand the lavender garden. Check with local experts or the agricultural extension service for variety recommendations in your region.

 

Herbs

 

 

The Apiaceae Family

Parsley (biennial), cilantro (annual), bronze fennel (perennial), wild carrot (easy but invasive annual Queen Anne’s lace), and dill (annual) flowers provide pollen and nectar for the pollinators.

The black swallowtail butterfly lays eggs on these members of the Apiaceae family, and the caterpillars feed on the foliage. Then the caterpillar will crawl off to a protected place to pupate in a chrysalis, later emerging as an adult or overwintering in garden debris.

 

 

The Lamiaceae Family

Herbs in the Lamiaceae family attract pollinators. Bees and butterflies, moths and flies will flock to mint, monarda, basil (annual), sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender, catnip, oregano, marjoram, and lemon balm when they’re in flower.

Some of these can be very invasive, so consider carefully whether you wish to unleash them in your back yard. Restraining them, especially the mints, to the confines of a large pot is advised.

 

Brush Piles

Piles of undisturbed leaves and twigs in the garden can serve as secure resting places for larvae and chrysalises until they emerge. Considered untidy by some, a few brush piles are important features to keep pollinators on the property. Maybe you can build a more decorative structure of branches and sticks, loosely stuffed with leaves.

Birds, insects, and small animals will welcome this cozy winter shelter. Pollinating insects overwintering here will populate your property right from the start of the growing season. Birds dart in and out of the brush pile as predators approach, and they’ll also help themselves to an insect snack.

 

Go Native

 

 

Planting native species and nativars (cultivars of native species) helps sustain populations of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies and other pollinators.

Small organisms, such as insects, are the foundation on which the entire food chain is established. You will see more holes in the leaves, but learn to tolerate this in order to have an ecologically balanced habitat. Envision holey or missing leaves as another brood of bluebirds and wrens, butterflies and frogs. “Well done!”

Insects and plants evolved together, and each biome has its own unique set of organisms. Find out which plants are native to your region, and plant at least some of them. And put away the chemicals, which rather defeat the purpose, don’t they? Bees and butterflies have suffered as a result of pesticide overuse. And loss of habitat has severely diminished the territory they used to call home.

 

 

 

3. A Comprehensive Garden Plan

 

Dream, Plan, and Implement

Want to dream big? Perhaps you’ve considered a dense border against the back fence, maybe 60′ or 100′ long, edged with sweeping curves. This is a great opportunity to create a layered environment that would support a diverse assortment of insects and animals. “Hmmm…there’s not much lawn left back here, so we might as well remove it…”

On the Right Path

Incorporating a pathway through the garden introduces an almost magical feature, turning the garden into your own personal parkland. Here, nature will embrace you. Don’t forget to add a bench or two. I love it already!

If you have access to a large quantity of topsoil, add another dimension to this permanent garden. Modify the elevation by sculpting gentle mounds and valleys. Any garden bed or border is enhanced by elevating it 8″ or 18″ above surrounding lawn or paved surfaces. Plants just display better this way. Varying the elevation is so much more engaging than flat land.

Incorporating soil amendments and loosening the existing soil will also add some height to the bed. But be careful to maintain drainage swales through the property without altering where they originally emptied onto neighboring properties.

Stone

 

 

Have any boulders to add? A few tips for designing with stone: use natural colors, such as gray and brown. Major lines or striations should be parallel to each other. Plant them into the ground to anchor them. And use large boulders, the ones that require machinery or a few strong backs to move them. If your boulders are too large to move (photo, above), bring in some soil and plant a garden around them.

These are optional, of course, but, wow...do they rock!

 

Diversify

Using a combination of trees, shrubs, and smaller flowering plants extends the bloom season. This will appeal to a greater number of pollinating species.

Early risers, such as honey bees, will be grateful for the crocus, grape hyacinth (photo, right), and daffodil bulbs planted in autumn. Again, plant them in masses. Annuals and perennials can be planted right over or around them.

A few deciduous native trees, clusters of shrubs, flowering perennials, and some herbs and annuals compose an attractive habitat for a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Some Native Woody Plants

Here’s a partial list of native woody plants for the southeastern U.S.:

• American holly (Ilex opaca)
• redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• flowering dogwood (Cornus cultivars)
• fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• blueberries
• spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
• Viburnum species
• Fothergilla major
• Amelanchier
• sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
• Fruit trees, such as apple, cherry, crabapple, peach, pear, and plum have beautiful flowers that pollinators love, but they do require some maintenance for good fruiting. Ask for varieties that don’t require spraying, or skip the harvest and look for ornamental fruit trees. Many of our native moths and butterflies depend on these trees to host their young.

 

 

(***Update***: One moth you might want to see in your garden is the beautiful Imperial moth (photo above). Although these spectacular moths don’t consume anything as adults, birds are eager to consume them. Larvae feed primarily on oak, maple, sassafras, sweet gum, and pine trees. The ones I raised loved the non-native crape myrtle. Quite a sight! 8/3/2020.)

 

Asking for Help

 

 

A complex layout requires careful planning. By planting fairly thickly, but still appropriately, you can create a lush environment rich with flowers blooming every season. Your own personal paradise!

But flowers aren’t the only objective. Many insects, particularly butterflies, have specific demands concerning food for their young. Monarch butterflies lay eggs only on milkweeds, and gulf fritillary butterflies (photos, below) need passionflower vines. Spicebush swallowtail butterflies need spicebushes! Don’t overlook simple “weeds” that might attract butterflies, such as plantain for the buckeyes.

Find out what the adults eat, and, more importantly, which host plants their finicky young require. Adult pollinators tend to be general feeders, seeking pollen and nectar from a much broader range of plant materials.

 

 

These garden ideas might motivate you to improve your landscape. If you prefer to have a professional design and/or plant it for you, visit the next home and garden show. Landscape designers often set up full-scale landscapes in the exhibition halls for potential customers looking for ideas. Ask questions, and compare styles among the companies. Also, let them know you want lots of native species in the garden to benefit local pollinators. Provide a list of plants you’d tentatively like to include.

Maybe a friend or neighbor has had landscape work installed that appeals to you. Check company references, and make sure they’re properly licensed and insured.

Check With Local Sources

Do plenty of research, so you’ll be familiar with the terms used in the trade. Check online for information pertaining to bees and butterflies and other pollinators living in your region. Maybe nearby community colleges and botanical gardens offer classes in landscape design, entomology (the study of insects), woody plant materials, flower arranging, annuals and perennials, water gardening…

 

Dig In!

After having underground utilities marked, bring in the materials to improve the soil. Depending on the quality of the existing soil, you might need pine fines, peat moss, compost, aged manure, and/or coarse sand. Damp soil is easier to dig than dry soil.

Place the trees and large shrubs first. Space them out according to their mature size and light requirements. Choose shrubs and perennials that will grow under the trees; don’t expect lavender or coneflowers to survive under a shady canopy once the trees grow taller.

Keep the trees toward the north side of the garden (northern hemisphere) if you can. This lets more sun reach plants to their south. But don’t squeeze them against the fence or the property line. Make the bed wide enough to accommodate the trees and the herbaceous plants. Most perennials can be moved, though, if the garden needs to be expanded in future years.

More Considerations

For a natural appearance, avoid lining up the plants. Place the tree about one-third of the way from the edge of a bed instead of in the center. Step back and observe plant placements from all sides before planting them.

Consider your neighbors, too. You don’t want to shade the vegetable garden they’ve been enjoying for the past 10 years. Maybe that end of the garden can be planted with a group of viburnums instead of the tupelo you had been planning on.

 

Small Is Beautiful

Consider using dwarf or small cultivars. This is more convenient than having to prune plants that grew larger than you thought they’d grow. And one thing you don’t want in a “naturalistic” garden is a group of shrubs that must be sheared twice a year to keep them in bounds! Also, bees and butterflies and other residents of your new garden will appreciate not being disturbed to this degree.

Don’t plan on completing this project in only one day or a weekend; pace yourselves. Please refer to the articles about soil preparation and other subjects listed below. Doing it right from the start will lead to a much more enjoyable experience in the garden…for you and for the bees and butterflies.

 

 

Links

 

Here’s a list of informative articles in this blog, The Farm In My Yard:

How to Prepare the Soil: An Introduction

Fall Cleanup: Making Brush Piles for Wildlife

Not just for vegetables, Soil Prep 101 for Your Vegetable Garden

Aphids and Braconid Wasps

Pollinators: What’s All the Buzz About?

A Passion for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

The Imperial Moth: A Magnificent Creature

Northern Cardinals: Flashes of Brilliance

A Garden for the American Goldfinches

Improving the Landscape Is Like Painting a Picture

Dealing With Deer: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Plan Now for Spring-Flowering Bulbs

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Hardening Off: Getting Ready to Plant includes a section on using warm and cool colors.

Lavender: History and How to Plant It

Heat Tolerant Annuals and Tips for Summer Gardens

Iced Tea Pots: Cool and Refreshing

Planting Trees and Shrubs In the Landscape, Part 1

   

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

 

For more help, here’s a comprehensive website: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information about pollinators, visit the Pollinator Partnership website.

 

Happy gardening!

 

Headings

Page 1: National Pollinator Week, June 22-28, 2020, What Pollinators Need (The Missing Elements), and A Garden of Annuals for Bees and Butterflies (What Is An Annual?, What Do Pollinators Do?, Cross Pollination, Single-Double-Triple?, Sunflowers, Where To Plant?, Sun or Shade?, How Big Is Big?, Added Benefits, Vegetables and Fruits, Braconid Wasps, For the Birds, Cut Flowers)

Page 2: Perennial Favorites For Bees and Butterflies, Lavender, Herbs, Brush Piles, Go Native, A Comprehensive Garden Plan (Dream, Plan, and Implement, On the Right Path, Stone, Diversify, Some Native Woody Plants, Asking for Help, Dig In!, Small Is Beautiful), and Links

Return to the top of Page 2