1. Meredith Wojcik June 2013
GROW YOUR OWN
POLLINATOR GARDEN
Pollinators are declining in numbers. Fortunately, it takes just a few
simple steps to transform your garden or yard into ideal habitat for
these valuable animals. In fact, your garden probably already has
many of the features that are inviting to pollinators.
Tips for your Garden
 Ensure youhave adequate food, water, and nesting sources
 Vegetationand small woodpiles can provide pollinatorswith
cover fromwind, rain, and predators
 Purchase, build, or plant nest sites and/or shelter
 Keep some areas undisturbed so the insects have a place to
overwinter
 Include muddy puddles, animal carcasses, and dung to provide
vitalnutrients for pollinatorsthat they cannot get fromnectar
Native plants are four times more likely to
attract native bees than non-native plants and
attract three times as many species of moths
and butterflies!
 Plant a diversity of native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs
 Incorporate fullsun, partial shade, and shade plants to attract a
variety of pollinators
 Minimize the amount of mowed lawn or mow less frequently
 Grow flowers in clumps so pollinators can find them more easily
 Minimize or eliminate the use of pesticides
 Plant things that bloom at different periods so youalways have
something blooming
FUN FACTS ABOUT
POLLINATORS AND
PLANTS
An estimated 70-90% of
plants worldwide rely on
pollinators.
1 out of every 3 mouthfuls of
food or beverage we
consume required pollination.
In 2000, insect-pollinated
crops contributed $20 billion
to the U.S. economy.
At least 185 species of
pollinators are considered
threatened or endangered.
Prairie Ridge Nature Neighborhood Garden

2. Meredith Wojcik June 2013
How to attract…
Bees Butterflies Hummingbirds
PLANTING FOR POLLINATORS – NORTH CAROLINA NATIVES
Purple Coneflower Coral Honeysuckle Common Milkweed
 Leave dead snags for nesting sites
 Bees also requiresome areas of
bare ground in addition to nesting
materials like vegetation and mud
 Build or purchase a nest block for
bees
 In the absence ofa bee block,
hollow stems can attract bees
 Plant flowers that bloom in early
spring for early emerging bees
 Rotting fruit, animal dung, and
mud puddles providemale
butterflies with needed nutrients
 Butterflies require specific host
plants for their larvae(caterpillars);
if you plant these plants the
butterflies will come
 Place a few large rocks for
butterflies to bask on
 Provide hummingbirds with
nesting material:thistle,
dandelion, or milkweed down,
ferns, fireweed, or young leaves
 Have a source ofrunning wateror
even misting water
 Grow plants with tubular-shaped
flowers in reddish hues
 Hummers also glean insects from
plant surfaces
This plant provides pollen and
nectar. Itis visitedby several
species ofbutterflies, including
Monarchsand Swallowtails. The
caterpillarsofSilvery Checkspot
butterfly feedon itsleaves.
This vineis a high quality nectar
sourceforhummingbirds. Itis also
a host plant forthespringazure
butterfly. Italso attractsother
butterfly speciesand bees.
This plant is bestknown as
being thehostplantforthe
Monarch butterfly. Italso
attractsmany other butterflies
which feedon itsnectar. Bees,
wasps,flies, andskippersareall
attractedto milkweed.