Pollinator gardens are getting a lot of attention as more Canadian homeowners look to incorporate one in their backyard. Industry experts say that they are seeing the demand grow for pollinator gardens every year. What are the best plants to have in order to attract pollinators to your outdoor space?
Anyone can have this type of garden, regardless of the kind of home that they live in. Shaun Booth is the owner of an Ontario-based garden design firm. He recently told Forbes that any property is suitable for a pollinator garden. “It’s not so much about determining whether your property is suitable for a pollinator garden, but rather, determining which plants and design techniques are suitable for your specific site“.
Booth reiterates that even city dwellers who don’t have yards can have pollinator gardens. They simply need to make the most of their outdoor living spaces, such as a porch. If you strategically fill this space with certain types of plants, you can create an inviting haven. This may even attract delightful pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds for a charming visit.
Zinnias
Incorporating greenery into any space requires some planning. Regardless of whether you’re thinking about doing some gardening on your porch or adding plants to your commercial property. For instance, if you’re choosing plants for your business premises, pick ones that are suitable for your planting zone. This will give them a better chance to thrive. Meanwhile, if you’re choosing plants specifically to attract pollinators to your porch, select ones that can be planted in containers. Pick flowering plants that spread nicely and bloom well throughout the summer months.
One of the best porch plants that are a favourite among hummingbirds and butterflies is zinnias. These hardy and vibrant plants come in different variants. You can have zinnias with a single row of petals or ones that are shaped like pom-poms or domes. They also come in a variety of colours such as red, orange, purple, white, lilac, and chartreuse. Their vivid hues make them attractive to pollinators.
To grow these plants at home, plant zinnia seeds in nutrient-rich soil, and keep the seeds moist until they germinate. Transfer the seedlings to containers and place them in a spot where they’ll get full sun. To keep them blooming, cut off the flowers regularly just above the bud nodes. This encourages the growth of new branches and blooms.
Red Salvia
Adding Red Salvia to your porch is a must if you love bright red flowers. This plant, also known as Salvia Splendens, can be grown in pots and they typically start blooming in early Spring. They’re known for being a pollinator-friendly plant. It’s common to see hummingbirds and cloudless sulphur butterflies hovering around this herbaceous perennial. Another thing that’s so great about this flowering plant is that it’s easy to care for and requires no deadheading. This makes them an excellent choice if you’re a container gardening novice.
For the plant to flourish, place it in an area that gets at least six hours of full sunlight. Regularly fertilize the soil with all-purpose garden fertilizer, and water as much as needed to keep the soil moist. If all goes well, you’ll get to see bunches of vivid red, tubular blooms throughout the summer and autumn months.
Lavender
Want to fill your porch with a nice fragrance? Consider adding a few pots of lavender to your outdoor area. Lavender is often used to create edging along raised wall beds and herb gardens. However, it also grows well in containers. This plant comes in different types, with English lavender having the strongest scent and beautiful, deep purple flower spikes. Meanwhile, Seal lavender offers a softer fragrance, and it has long, violet-blue flower spikes on leafless stems.
Many butterfly species are attracted to lavender. You may enjoy seeing Large White, Western Tiger Swallowtails, and Horace’s Duskywing butterflies fluttering around the area! Hummingbirds also love them. Remember that bees may also want to visit your outdoor living space if you have many lavender plants. Bees tend to be attracted to blue, purple, and violet blooms.
To have lush and healthy lavender plants, see that they’re planted in well-drained soil. Then, move the containers to areas that get full sun. Avoid overwatering them since they’re prone to root rot. Water them once or twice a month to keep them healthy and thriving.
Give your porch a touch of magic by adding these flowering plants to attract pollinators to your outdoor space. Keep them in full sun, and water as needed to enjoy a profusion of blooms. Then, sit back and enjoy the hummingbirds and butterflies that visit your home.
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