Why Plant for Pollinators?
Pollinators are responsible for 33% of food you eat. To put it bluntly, when the pollinators go, sadly so will us humans. This is because animal pollinators are tremendously vital in flowering plant reproduction and in turn, the production of fruits and vegetables we eat. About 80% of all flowering plants and over 75% of the staple crops (which feed the human population) rely on these animals. The native Colorado pollinators and plants that coexist in harmony are also responsible for various environmental benefits like cleaning the air, purifying the water, and preventing soil erosion in our own backyards. If done correctly, not only will you create a beautiful garden for yourself, but the garden will greatly benefit the Colorado ecosystem in which you live.
How to Start a Pollinator Habitat?
Just like humans, pollinators love a nice and secure, homey environment they can call their own. Creating a habitat for these animals will aid them in the process of pollinating. Colorado’s native animals and plants have evolved together to provide security, reproduction, food, and overall survival for one another. To create an ideal habitat, it will need to contain a mixture of plant species so that bloom times range from early spring to late fall. This way pollen is provided to the various animal species for their various active seasons.
Location of the new habitat is certainly important. Most of Colorado’s native pollinators generally prefer sunny areas, in turn the plants most likely will require full sun. They prefer large, connected habitats to small patchy ones. LandCrafts and most landscape designers will recommend connecting your front yard and your backyard using flowering plants. This allows the pollinators to work one area more thoroughly and efficiently. This will take some design and thought, but always remember to have variety of flowering species and planted in groups rather than as single plants.
Other things to consider are, what type(s) of pollinator do you want to attract? If you have a disposition to bumble bees, than we recommend a plant species that is known to attract Butterflies and or birds! Also, remember to never use pesticides or herbicides on these types of gardens. They are harmful not only to the pollinators, plants, and other species in the ecosystems, but will contaminate our food supply, directly harm you!
***Did you know...? ***
Not only is Colorado home to 946 different species of Bees, 250 species of Butterflies,1000 species of Moths, but also numerous Hummingbirds, Song Birds, Beetles, Wasps, Lemurs, Possums, Lizards, Geckos and Skinks, Slugs, Gnats, True Bugs, and Milkweed Bugs, all which help to pollinate plants and in our home state!
Our Favorites:
Here are 4 native Colorado plant species that we regularly include in our landscape designs to attract pollinators around Denver.
Sand Cherry, Western
In May, mases of single, white flowers totally cover this hardy, native plant. Silver-green foliage turns copper in fall. Edible, purplish black fruit. Max. Elev: 8,000ft Mature Ht: 5’ Mature Spd: 5’.
Pitcher Sage
A native variety of Salvia with wands of blue/purple flowers. A favorite treat for hummingbirds and perfect choice for fall color. Max. Elev: 7,500ft. Mature Ht: 1.5’. Mature Spd: 1.5’.
Plains Coreopsis
Semi double, intense yellow flower with red center June-September. Max. Elev: 8,500ft. Mature Ht:12-20”. Mature Spd: 18”.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Deep lavender-blue flowers from June-August. Very drought tolerant and makes a great cut flower! Max. Elev: 11,000ft. Mature Ht: 2’. Mature Spd: 1.5’.
Useful Links: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616/
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