If I have native plants that attract pollinators can I add in annuals and still become certified for a pollinator friendly garden?

Question:

 If I have native plants that attract pollinators can I add in annuals and still become certified for a pollinator friendly garden?

Answer:

Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional

What a great question!

Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification focuses on the essential things you need to have in your garden but no garden has to be exclusively those things.  Think of native plants (most of which are perennial) as the foundation of the garden.  They are there to provide pollinator food and habitat throughout the year so there is always something for pollinators.

Annuals can be the “decoration” or an addition to the offering for the pollinators.  Bear in mind that many annuals are bred for color or fragrance or longevity so these hybrids may not have a lot to offer pollinators.  If you’re going to add annuals, the best thing to do is to get as close to the species as possible.  Look for terms like “open pollinated” on the seed packs of annuals and vegetables. There are many great “old-fashioned” annuals that are still sold as species.   For example, good old-fashioned sweet alyssum is a magnet for syrfid flys and when planted around a bed or at the front of the border, it will “hum” on a sunny day with pollinator visitors.  Syrfid Flys (sometimes known as hoverflies) are not only pollinators but are aphid eaters! Many tender perennials do this as well but you will have to treat them as annuals in our climate.

If you are adding annuals make sure you are mindful that they not only look pretty but also attract pollinators or do some other “work” in the garden.  There is a lot of information out there and clicking on the blue underlined text in this email will take you to links that will lead to more information.  Enjoy the research now and then when plant sale season starts you will be ready!