Make the home garden a haven for beneficial pollinators

Jackson & Perkins

Bringing beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into the home garden is not only good for the plants; it also increases the yields of home crops and beautifies the landscape. Gardeners interested in attracting more pollinators usually begin by setting up hummingbird feeders, installing a birdbath or other water feature, and planting annuals and perennials that include pollinators' names, such as Butterfly Bush, Bee Balm, and Hummingbird Mint. While these are all excellent strategies, Park Seed Company brand manager Sue Amatangelo recommends additional steps gardeners can take to make their landscape hospitable to the living creatures that help grow new plants.

When designing the garden, plan for blooms to continue from spring right through fall. Most annuals are in full show from late spring through summer, so there is no shortage of available nectar and pollen during this time. And by selecting perennials with varying bloom seasons, home gardeners can achieve a succession of flowers that continues all summer long, bringing pollinators an uninterrupted and nicely varied supply of food. Supplement the summer display with spring-flowering fruit trees such as cherry, peach, and apple, as well as fall-flowering varieties Aster and Rudbeckia to Caryopteris.

Pollinators feel at home in landscapes planted with native species. Native North American plants are low maintenance, require less water than most others, and are less prone to disease and pests. Look for native varieties of Penstemon, Helianthus, Cleome, and Gaillardia to bring in the bees. Asclepias, Achillea, Lupinus, and Salvia are among dozens of American natives that attract butterflies, while hummingbirds appreciate Lonicera, Lobelia, Campsis, and Aquilegia, among others.

Most importantly, consider the entire garden a home for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, not just the pollen- and nectar-bearing plants that attract them. Avoid using pesticides and other non-organic sprays and treatments. Some beneficial insects and caterpillars may eat desirable foliage, and many undesirables will undoubtedly remain in the garden, but it is well worth it to create a healthy, balanced environment for pollinators. Provide a source of very shallow water with rocks or other stable surfaces for alighting and basking. Pollinators will be more likely to visit a natural environment that provides shelter, water, and resting places as well as good sources of food.

Whether the goal is to create a beautiful butterfly garden, to increase the production of home vegetable crops, or to create a haven for the endangered honeybee population, home gardeners can take many simple steps to turn their landscape into a pollinator-friendly environment. Bringing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into the garden helps create a more balanced environment that improves its long-term health and productivity. Park Seed's Sue Amatangelo urges home gardeners across the country to "plant one more for the pollinators," making every garden just a little more rich in the food these beneficial visitors need.

Austin: Wizzie Brown will discuss "Natural Pest Control," September 10, 10 a.m. to noon at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Travis County, 1600-B Smith Road, Austin. Learn how to tell pests from other insects found in your backyard, learn integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid many problem pests you may experience, and learn a combination of practices to prevent or avoid pest problems rather than treating them once they occur. Stabilize your landscape so that conditions are more favorable for plants than for pests. Wizzie Brown serves as Program Specialist - IPM in the Austin metroplex encompassing Travis County and surrounding counties. Cost: $10 thru 8/31, $15 starting 09/01 and onsite, No cash accepted - checks and credit cards only. Register on line at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/TravisCounty or by phone at 979-845-2604. For additional information, contact Sue Carrasco at 512-854-9610 or sacarrasco@ag.tamu.edu.

San Angelo: The Concho Valley Master Gardeners in San Angelo, Texas will present their 4th Annual Fall Landscape Symposium, Saturday, September 12. The Symposium will be held at the Stephens Central Library Community Room, 3rd floor, 33 W. Beauregard, San Angelo. Pre-registration is required to attend. Deadline to register is Tuesday, September 8. Presentations include: Neil Sperry presenting "Myths and Mystiques of Texas Gardening: Is it Fact or Fiction?" and "Water Conscious Landscaping"; Charles Floyd presenting "Creating Mini-Habitats in Your Landscape for Desirable Songbirds"; Dr. Steve Lyons presenting "Weather & Gardens-Taking Weather Away From Plant Growing Woes"; and Cindy Burkhalter presenting "How to Start and Maintain a Butterfly Garden in the South." The cost $25 per person and includes refreshments and lunch. Sign-in from 8-8:45 a.m. The program starts at 8:45 a.m. and continues until 3:15 p.m. To register: txmg.org/conchovalley and download the registration form and mail or bring it to the Extension Office, 113 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas 76901. To pay on-line with a credit card, go to http://mkt.com/cvmg. For information call 325-659-6522. No childcare will be provided.

San Antonio: Rain Barrel Workshop will be presented Saturday, September 12, 9 a.m.-noon, at Stone Oak Property Owners Offices, 19210 Huebner Road, San Antonio. A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores water when you need it most. You conserve water and benefit your plants and garden!! Make-and-take your own rain barrel in just a few hours by attending this workshop. Fun and educational for the whole family! Bring the kids to help assemble your rain barrel - and enjoy free food and drinks for all! Also visit with SAWS and Trinity District water conservation specialists. Limit 30 - $25 per person. RSVP with payment to Angel Torres by Sept 3, 2015: 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu. Make check payable to: Texas A&M AgriLife, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio.

Sugar Land: The Great Grow, Children's Organic School Garden program presents Fall Kids Fest at the Museum. 13016 University Blvd, Sugar Land 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, September 26. Enjoy this fun filled fall festival. Explore the museum butterfly garden. See a live bee hive. Pumpkin patch sponsored by HEB. Habitat plant sale. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Info at www.TheGreatGrow.com or call Diana Miller 713-724-3113.