With the spring weather finally here and flowers starting to pop up in gardens across Nova Scotia, seasoned gardeners and newbies alike are thinking about how their yard can welcome and support the pollinators that visit and call it home.

Bees are always top of the list, with Nova Scotia farmers depending on them to pollinate our fruit and vegetable crops for a successful harvest.

Pollinators don’t just include bees, though; insects like wasps, butterflies, moths, flies and beetles, and even hummingbirds and bats, all help pollen travel between plants. Providing a safe space in your yard to feed and shelter pollinators can boost the productivity of your garden and support agriculture in your community.

Plant native species
To attract pollinators, opt for native and heritage varieties of plants and shrubs. In Nova Scotia, these include rhododendron, northern bush honeysuckle, Joe Pye weed, primrose, aster, cone flower, brown-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, goldenrod, wild bergamot, sedum, serviceberry, pussy willow, lilac and salvia.

Keep an eye out for them at the perennial section of your garden store, at community plant sales or from a generous green-thumb neighbour. Gardeners are always separating, cutting back and moving perennials (especially in the spring!) and they’re often happy to share.

If attracting butterflies is your main goal, don’t forget to have host plants that will support the caterpillar stage of their development – things like violets, vetch, clover, plants from the parsley family and milkweed. Milkweed is the only plant where endangered monarch butterflies can lay their eggs.

Choose vibrant blooms
Plant a variety of blooming plants so you’ll have flowers from spring until late autumn. Pollinators love vibrant blooms that are red, orange, yellow, purple and blue. Some options include bee balm, bachelor buttons, sunflowers, weigela, hydrangea, cosmos, zinnias and foxglove.

Make it cosy
If you have space, create some sheltered wild areas in your garden or yard where pollinators can rest and nest. Butterflies love large flat rocks where they can warm themselves. If you want to attract bumblebees, try making your own bee hotel.

Avoid lawn and garden chemicals and pesticides
Pesticides, even so-called organic ones, are harmful to bees and other pollinators. Attract beneficial insects like soldier beetles, lacewings, ladybugs and hoverflies that will eat slugs and aphids, including their eggs. Growing things like nasturtium, sweet alyssum and calendula will help draw the good bugs to your garden.

Note: If you’re not keen on having bumblebees nest in your yard, don’t grab the pesticide – contact someone who can safely remove the bees. The Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association keeps a list of members who can remove swarms. To help prevent nests, including wasp nests, hang up a decoy nest (just a brown paper bag stuffed with paper will do the trick).

Messy is best
Don’t rush to clean up your yard in the spring and fall. In the spring, wait until there have been at least five consecutive days of warm weather (above 10 degrees Celsius) before removing the dead leaves and plants left from winter. In the fall, let dead stalks and plant debris overwinter in your garden, giving insects a place to burrow and material for bird nests. Rake leaves onto your garden beds to provide extra protection.

Remember: What might seem like a small contribution – a tiny patio planter or a small garden plot – can make a big difference to the pollinators and beneficial insects in your area.

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