Native
Plantings
for a
Buzzing
Backyard
Plantings
for a
Buzzing
Backyard
By Hannah Hooks, Horticulturist, Memphis Botanic Garden
Pollinators are very important to the growth of our food, our ecosystems, and our overall biodiversity. Pollinators are essential to the reproduction of plants, which support these numerous facets of our lives. We tend to think of bees and butterflies when we think of pollinators, but we can’t forget about wasps, flies, hummingbirds, beetles, and many more!
Many native plants, or plants that naturally occur within a specific region and have adapted to the specific environment, are hosts for our local pollinators. These host plants support the life cycles of numerous organisms by providing them with food, shelter, or even a place to lay eggs. Many butterflies and moths use certain plants to lay larvae or munch on their leaves as caterpillars. Bees and wasps will collect nectar and pollen from these plants as a food source for themselves and their young.
While choosing my favorite pollinator plant seems akin to choosing a favorite child, below you will find those that are just a bit more special in my eyes! Spring in full swing and Summer just around the corner, it's the time to be on the lookout for your favorite pollinators! You can find countless pollinators all over the Memphis Botanic Garden. From My Big Backyard all the way back to the Pollinator Garden, crossing all 96 acres, you’ll find a wealth of captivating wildlife.
Pollinators are very important to the growth of our food, our ecosystems, and our overall biodiversity. Pollinators are essential to the reproduction of plants, which support these numerous facets of our lives. We tend to think of bees and butterflies when we think of pollinators, but we can’t forget about wasps, flies, hummingbirds, beetles, and many more!
Many native plants, or plants that naturally occur within a specific region and have adapted to the specific environment, are hosts for our local pollinators. These host plants support the life cycles of numerous organisms by providing them with food, shelter, or even a place to lay eggs. Many butterflies and moths use certain plants to lay larvae or munch on their leaves as caterpillars. Bees and wasps will collect nectar and pollen from these plants as a food source for themselves and their young.
While choosing my favorite pollinator plant seems akin to choosing a favorite child, below you will find those that are just a bit more special in my eyes!
Milkweed / AsclepiAs
There are several kinds of milkweed including, but
not limited to, butterfly weed, swamp milkweed
and common milkweed. Monarch butterflies rely
on milkweed in their migration. They use it for
both
the caterpillar stage and the adult stage of
their life cycle.
Passion Vine
This showy vine is known for attracting the Gulf
Fritillary caterpillars, which munch on their leaves
for food.
Goldenrod / Solidago
You are probably familiar with the classic Canada Goldenrod, but there are many other species of Solidago that aid various insects, particularly butterflies and moths. This is an example of Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’.
Pipevine / Aristolochia
This vine is a food source host to the Pipevine
Swallowtail Butterfly. It's unique, pipe-shaped flowers
attract hummingbirds and other insects as well.
Golden Alexander / Zizia Aurea
This spring-blooming perennial is a host to the Black
Swallowtail and Ozark Swallowtail butterflies. The
caterpillars use the leaves for a food source.
Little Bluestem /
SchizaZAchyrium scoparium
This native grass is a beautiful showy addition to a garden, with blades that start out with a blue hue and fade to almost purple in the fall. Numerous skipper butterflies call this grass their host. It also creates good habitat for insects that need to overwinter.
Mountain Mints
There are also several amazing species of mountain
mint. Between the two genera Pycnanthemum and Monarda, the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds have a feast! Their beautiful blooms are a hot spot for pollinators.
All of these examples can be found in My Big Backyard, but there are so many more to discover all over our 96 acres. You can find the bees buzzing in the Urban Home Garden, the caterpillars crawling in the Arboretum, and the butterflies bouncing around in the Pollinator Garden! You can also help support your local pollinators and wildlife by planting some of these plants in your home garden. Happy hunting!