NC Extension Gardener

Beebalms are excellent plants to support pollinators and other flower visitors, like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. Everything you need to know about choosing and growing beebalms is here in the Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda/

This is Pollinator Week (but of course, every week is pollinator week for us at the Plant Toolbox). The Plant Toolbox offers you many ways to find plants that will thrive in your garden’s conditions AND support pollinators (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, etc.). You can search for specific pollinator plants (type “moth friendly” into the search box), or you can search for NC native pollinator plants (type “NC Native pollinator plant” in the search box). Don’t forget that trees, vegetables and herbs also support pollinators. Visit the Plant Toolbox:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/

Want to attract fireflies to your garden? A recent post from UF/IFAS Extension has information about what fireflies need:
🌒 Darkness. Turn off lights that are not needed.
💦 Water source. A garden pond is perfect.
🪵 Decaying wood and vegetation: Consider adding a “dead hedge” or brush pile to your garden. Thick, organic mulch is valuable, too.
☠ NO pesticides.
🌱 Let the grass grow. Don’t keep the space tidy and manicured.
🌸 Native plants, especially common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). You can learn more about common milkweed on the Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asclepias-syriaca/

UF/IFAS Extension post:
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2021/06/12/how-to-create-a-firefly-oasis/

Don’t forget the hanging baskets. In addition to bringing an elevated pop of color to our patios and gardens, they can also support pollinators. These baskets are planted with Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), which is visited by butterflies and moths. Learn more about Madagascar periwinkle on the Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/catharanthus-roseus/

We often recommend the beebalms (Monarda spp.) to attract hummingbirds to gardens, but they’ll attract other creatures, too. This is Monarda didyma Balmy™ Pink with snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) having a sip. Learn more about the beebalms on the Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda/

Now that the hummingbirds are back from their vacation in the tropics, let’s be sure they have a variety of nectar plants. A perennial favorite (and favorite perennial) is the Carolina Pink (Spigelia marilandica). It’s a perfect plant for shady, moist situations in your garden. Learn more about the Carolina Pink on the Plant Toolbox:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/spigelia-marilandica/

Although butterfly larvae are usually very specific in their food (host) plants (which is why native plants are important to support butterfly populations), adult butterflies will seek out nectar in a variety of flowers. One favorite nectar source is the pincushion flower, Scabiosa atropurpurea. Learn more about the pincushion flower on the Plant Toolbox:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/scabiosa-atropurpurea/

Flies are important pollinators and should be welcome visitors to any garden. Hoverflies (or syrphid flies) love yellow flowers that provide easy access to pollen and nectar. Yellow daisy-family flowers, such as the southern ragwort (Packera anonyma), would be a great choice. To learn more about southern ragwort, go to the Plant Toolbox
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/packera-anonyma/

You know we’re a huge fan of bee-flies here at the Plant Toolbox. These fluffy, friendly flies are important pollinators of native wildflowers, but they also visit other flowers, like these chives. If you want to learn more about chives, as a culinary herb or a plant for pollinators, check out the Plant Toolbox’s listing:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/allium-schoenoprasum/

Containers of colorful annuals are a great way to add color to the garden, AND they can also support pollinators. The annuals flowering here are marigolds and petunias, which are easy to grow in a sunny location and readily available from garden centers. Learn more about these annuals on the Plant Toolbox:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tagetes-erecta/
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/petunia-x-hybrida/