Why Pollinator Gardens? Supporting native pollinators is important for many reasons. Offering a garden space that contains native host plants for caterpillars and successively blooming flowers for pollinators is a simple and beautiful way to help these small creatures survive. With increasing development, higher use of pesticides and herbicides, and more frequent plantings of genetically-modified, monoculture crops, the pollinators in North America are struggling to survive.
Encouraging population growth of pollinators is also important for providing food for young birds! Baby birds rely almost exclusively on insects while they are growing. Caterpillars are the preferred meal, as they are easily digested due to a relatively thin exoskeleton, and are very high in protein.
Choose native plants to further support pollinators and insects who are dependant on certain plants. For example, black swallowtail caterpillars rely on Queen Anne’s Lace as their host plant. The ever-loved monarch caterpillar famously dines exclusively on milkweed.
Wildlife Movement & Habitat |
Consider the trees! Birds nest in all types of hollows, branches, and trunks. Standing dead trees or “snags” also host many birds. Leaving these trees if they are not of a safety concern is good practice. Additionally, oak trees support more caterpillar species than any other plant in North America. The space beneath oak trees is a place to be mindful of, as many insects can be found there. Reducing mowing or grazing beneath oak trees might be a practice to consider, so more pollinators can be supported.
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