Creating a Pollinator Paradise in Your Backyard

Pollinators play a vital role in healthy ecosystems and food production by transferring pollen between flowers, allowing plants to produce fruits, vegetables, seeds, and flowers. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating species support the growth of thousands of plant varieties, but many face challenges from habitat loss and declining food sources. By creating pollinator-friendly gardens, homeowners can help sustain these important species while at the same time enjoying more vibrant and productive landscapes.

When selecting plants for a pollinator garden, choose a mix of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and flowering herbs that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Native species are especially valuable because they have evolved alongside local pollinators and often provide the greatest ecological benefit.

Some excellent pollinator-friendly plants include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, bee balm, salvia, lavender, catmint, coreopsis, asters, goldenrod, and Joe-Pye weed. Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, serving as the only host plant where they lay their eggs and their caterpillars feed. Flowering herbs such as oregano, thyme, chives, and basil are also highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects when allowed to bloom.

Including a variety of flower shapes, colors, and bloom times helps attract different pollinator species while ensuring nectar and pollen are available from early spring through late fall. Trees and shrubs such as redbud, serviceberry, buttonbush, summersweet, and native hydrangeas can also provide valuable food sources and habitat.

Insecticides should be used with caution in pollinator gardens, as many products can unintentionally harm bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. Whenever possible, gardeners should rely on integrated pest management practices, such as removing pests by hand, encouraging beneficial insects, or selecting disease-resistant plants before considering the use of chemicals. If treatment is necessary, choose products specifically labeled as safe for pollinators, avoid spraying blooming plants, and apply them in the evening or early morning when pollinators are less active. Always follow label directions to minimize impacts on wildlife and the surrounding environment.

Including features such as shallow water sources with stones is a great idea to provide safe landing spots. “Plant selection and bloom timing are important considerations for supporting pollinators,” said Stuart Leventhal, owner of Down to Earth Living. “Ensuring your garden is pollinator-friendly will also ensure you have a healthier, more robust garden.

Recommended practices include:

• Plant species that bloom at different times of the season.
• Include native or well-adapted plants when possible.
• Plant in clusters rather than as single specimens.
• Include host plants for butterfly species, including milkweed for monarchs.
• Select full-sun locations when possible.
• Provide shallow water sources with stones or similar materials.
• Avoid insecticide use in planting areas.
• Maintain natural areas or organic debris, such as leaves or small brush piles, for habitat.

Once established, many pollinator plantings need less maintenance. New plantings should be watered regularly until they are established.

Down to Earth Living Garden Center encourages customers to bring inspiration, such as online images, magazine clippings, or photos of their space, for personalized guidance. The team assists with selecting plants, shrubs, containers, and statuary to achieve the desired look. The expanded indoor plant showroom is open for the summer season, and free repotting is available with any plant or pot purchase to enhance the shopping experience.

Down to Earth Living, now in its 56th year, is a Garden Center serving Rockland, Bergen, and Orange counties and the Hudson Valley, offering 12.5 acres filled with perennials, flowers, shrubs, and trees, with new plants arriving weekly. The 10,000-square-foot showroom features a selection of contemporary, classic, traditional, and transitional teak, aluminum, and all-weather dining and deep-seated furniture. Located at 1040 Route 45 in Pomona, N.Y. For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit www.dteliving.com.

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