Climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss are a few key factors that are contributing to the population decline of pollinators. Bees and Butterflies play a critical role in our everyday life and with a little help from us we can make a big difference. “They pollinate the food we eat by consuming pollen and nectar as food, then taking the pollen from one flower to another nearby flower. Neither would be able to survive without the other.” Attract pollinators by planting milkweed, native nectar plants, and pollen-rich flowers zoned for Central Oregon. Also minimize your impact on native plants when gardening; our weeds, bushes, and trees all play a role in providing and maintaining a habitat. Lastly, consider providing shelter, food, and water. Whether you let an area of grass grow tall, start a lawn clippings’ pile, let a log decompose in a sunny area, leave a dead tree standing, or build a DIY home you will be aiding in the protection of pollinators from predators and the elements of mother nature which will benefit and increase their population.

Plant These For The Bees

ANNUALS:  Asters, Callipsis, Clover, Marigolds, Poppies, Sunflowers, Zinnias

PERENNIALS:  Buttercups, Clematis, Cosmos, Crocuses, Dahlias, Echinacea, English Ivy, Foxglove, Geraniums, Globe Thistle, Hollyhocks, Hyacinth, Iris, Lily, Rock Cress, Roses, Sedum, Snowdrops, Yellow Hyssop

TREES:  Alder, Almond, Black Locust, Buckeyes, Catalpa, East Redbud, Hawthorns, Hazels, Holly, Linden, Magnolia, Maples, Mountain Ash, Poplar, Sycamore, Willows

FRUITS & VEGGIES:  Apples, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Cucumbers, Gourds, Eggplant, Fruit Trees, Peppers, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Wild Garlic

HERBS:  Bee Balm, Catnip, Cilantro, Fennel, Lavender, Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

SHRUBS:  Blueberry, Butterfly Bush, Honeysuckle, Kinnickinnick, Privet, Rhododendron

Butterfly Attractants

Alfalfa, Aster, Azalea, Bee Balm, Black Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Butterfly Bush, Catmint, Catnip, Columbine, Coneflower, Coral Bells, Creeping Baby’s Breath, Currant, Daisy, Dandelion, False Indigo, Hollyhock, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Lilacs, Lily’s, Lupine, Marigold, Milkweed, Mint, Morning Glory, Oregon Grape, Pansy’s, Passion Flower, Phlox, Rabbitbrush, Red Hot Poker, Sedum, Speedwell, Sweet Pea, Yarrow, Wildflower Seed

We do not sell all of the above mentioned plants, but we do carry some at McPheeters Turf. Give us a call or come on out to see what is available.

Photos courtesy of Google