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Plants for Pollinators
Hybridization of plants to suit the whims of gardeners has resulted in the proliferation of plants that lack both the nectar and pollen necessary for bees and butterflies. Add to this the catastrophic impact of genetically modified crops, herbicides, and pesticides, and we are today faced with a global food crisis that, if not corrected, will not only result in widespread famine but also the loss of fruit, vegetable, and nuts for consumption by humans and others, leaving us to forage on grains.
What we can do to reverse recent trends is to plant flowers that are high in the nutrients needed by our pollinators and to plan this activity so that there is steady flowering and therefore constant availability of flowers from very early in the season until late into fall and even winter. To the extent possible, it is better to use heirloom varieties or native species because these would be favored by our hard working bees and gorgeous butterflies.
Be sure to put water near the plants so the pollinators have enough to drink and make sure the water is not too deep or treacherous so that the bees and butterflies have safe places to land while drinking.
Cross-referenced Index of Herb Names
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Asclepias curassavica
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Bloodflower Seeds, certified organic, 50 seeds
Bloodflower is a milkweed that does especially well in the south, but it's showy enough to tempt people in other regions to grow them. They are slow starters but strong once established. The seeds can be sown directly into cold soil.
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Asclepias tuberosa
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Pleurisy Root, organically grown, 50 seeds
Original seeds were collected in the Appalachias. It's a favorite for butterflies but I noticed hummingbirds on mine last year. It is the only food consumed by Monarch butterflies.
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Rumex acetosella
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Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, 300 seeds
Sheep's sorrel is the host for small copper butterly and it is also eaten by grazing animals. It can be found in quite bad soil but it prefers the same habitat as blueberries. Its leaves are high in beta carotene and have a number of uses including Essiac tea. It is a parasiticide, for intestinal parasites.
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Aconite, Aloe, Artemisia Annua, Artichoke, Asparagus, Baikal Skullcap, Bean, Bears Garlic, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Calamus, Carrots, Chickweed, Codonopsis, Comfrey, Indigo, Kale, Lamb's Quarters, Lobelia Inflata, Lomatium, Marshmallow, Peppermint, Pleurisy, Purslane, Rhodiola, Shungiku, Spearmint, Sunflower, Turkey Rhubarb, Wild Yam, Yarrow, Violet, Yerba Mansa |
