Understanding Nectar, Pollen, and Pollinators
Nectar and pollen are essential resources that plants produce to attract pollinators. Nectar is a sweet liquid secreted by flowers to entice creatures like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It serves as a quick energy source, encouraging pollinators to visit multiple flowers in search of more nectar and providing the carbohydrates that fuel migration, and reproduction. While nectar is known for its sweetness, it also contains vitamins, oils, amino acids, and other beneficial compounds.
Pollen, on the other hand, is a protein-rich powder that plants produce for reproduction. While all non-cultivar flowers produce pollen, not all flowers produce nectar. Pollen is produced in the male parts of flowers, called stamens, and needs to reach the female parts, or pistils, for fertilization to occur. This transfer can happen via wind, water, or pollinators. Some pollinators collect nectar, while others—like bees—are more interested in pollen, which they gather to feed their larvae. In the process, these animals inadvertently transfer pollen from one flower to another, allowing plants to reproduce.
Why Natives Matter in Your Pollinator Garden
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden starts with choosing the right plants. Ideally, 75% of the plants in your pollinator garden should be locally native or native to your eco-region. This ensures that your garden supports the widest range of native pollinators, especially specialist bees, which depend on specific types of pollen to rear their young.
Native plants have evolved over thousands of years in a specific region, adapting to local climate, soil, and wildlife. These plants are vital for the survival of many native pollinators, particularly specialist bees like sweat bees, leaf-cutter bees, miner bees, mason bees, and bumble bees. These bees require or prefer pollen from native plants to raise their young. Without these plants, native bee populations can struggle. In contrast, generalist pollinators like honeybees and butterflies are less selective and can forage on a wide range of flowers.
Another key reason to prioritize native plants is timing. Native plants bloom in sync with the life cycles of local pollinators. For instance, if you introduce a plant from the correct family but with a bloom time that doesn’t match your local ecosystem, it might not coincide with the reproductive cycle of the specialist bees that rely on it. This mismatch can result in a lack of essential pollen when these bees are raising their young.
A Note on Cultivars: Proceed with Caution
Cultivars are cultivated varieties of plants bred for specific traits like flower color, size, or bloom time. While they may add visual appeal, they often prioritize aesthetics over ecological value. If you must include cultivars in your garden, be aware that many may still provide some nectar but generally have reduced pollen quality, may be sterile (offering no pollen at all), or lack the specific nutrients needed by native pollinators. However, we strongly encourage focusing on locally native and plants native to your eco-region for their proven benefits to local pollinator species.
Creating a Balanced Pollinator Habitat
Plant Diversity: Include a mix of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that bloom at different times to provide continuous food sources.
Focus on Native Plant Communities: Incorporate plants that naturally grow together in your region for a more resilient garden.
Pesticides: Protect pollinators from harmful chemicals. There is rarely a good reason to spray insecticides in a pollinator garden.
Add Water Sources: A shallow dish with pebbles can provide hydration for butterflies.
Create Habitat: Leave some areas of your garden undisturbed for nesting sites, 70% of native bees nest in the ground.
By prioritizing native plants, you’re not only adding beauty to your landscape but also supporting vital pollinator species that contribute to a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
