You’ve probably heard that there’s problems in populations and problems with the health of butterflies and bees. These pollinators are important to our lives. Our worlds food sources literally rely on these pollinators. We can’t solve the problem on our own, but we can do our part. Our crops and environment will thank us.

Here are a few ideas on what you can do.

Have your backyard design include some of these ideas.

Pollinators want food, water, and shelter.

 Try incorporating some areas for water such as small pools, puddles or birdbaths

 Create a windbreak

 Stop spraying pesticides

 Have an area that you let go native especially a field of wildflowers

 Butterflies and Bees love sunshine, so do all of this in a sunny area, but have trees and shrubs right nearby to provide shelter.

 Plants you’ll want to consider are not only for the adults but also for the larvae

List of plants that attract butterflies or bees:

 Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed)

 Milkweed

 Clover

 Butterfly Bush

 Monarda (Bee Balm)

 Penstemon

 Coneflower

 Rudbeckia (such as ‘Gloriosa Daisy’)

 Salvia

 Sage

 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

 Yarrow

This is just a partial list, but as you can see, there are many plants you can incorporate into your backyard design that will be pollinator friendly. Just make sure your backyard design includes the basics of food, water and shelter.