On Flowers and Fluttering Things

For some reason this year, I am more impatient than ever for spring to arrive.  Perhaps this is because our cold weather has not been interspersed with many of the warm days which encourage us to hang on until spring is really here.
 
One effect of my spring fever is that I have been noticing more articles recently about gardening in ways to encourage the proliferation of bees, as well as attracting more butterflies and hummingbirds to a garden.  Since they are all useful as well as beautiful, I was curious to see if it is possible to attract all three with the same plants and methods, and did a little internet research.  It is!
 
I quickly found several good sites with information about attracting one or all of the little flyers.  Some of the general tips I consistently saw included:

• Plant types of flowers which produce much nectar or pollen.  These are typically native or non-hybridized varieties.  Also, sure you have a variety of plants which will bloom throughout the seasons.  And have a variety of flower colors and shapes.
  
• Don’t use pesticides.Use organic methods to control pests whenever possible.  Many pesticides are harmful to bees and other things we are trying to encourage in our gardens.
  
• Provide some sort of shelter.  Give the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds some place to hide from their predators.  This might be a bush, a trellis, a dead tree or even tall grass.
  
• Food and water are also key.  Special feeders are available to provide more food for butterflies or hummingbirds.  Water options include a shallow water garden, a birdbath (if it isn’t too deep), even a muddy puddle.  Make sure there is a place for little creatures to land while they drink.
  

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As I looked at the tips, and the lists of flowers for each (bees, butterflies and hummingbirds) I started noticing some flower names appearing more than once.
 
Here is a list I compiled of flowering plants which seem to attract all three:

• Bee balm
• Lupine (It attracts caterpillars, but since they become butterflies, it counts.)
• Sage
• Verbena
• Zinnia

 
Here are more flowering plants which attract at least two of the three:

• Aster
• Cosmos
• Delphinium
• Four o-clocks
• Hollyhock
• Lavender
• Liatris
• Nasturtium
• Paintbrush
• Phlox
• Scabiosa

  
I hope these lists inspire you to plant a few of the flowers above in your garden this year, or even in a window box.  Our colorful little flying friends will appreciate it.  And if you enjoyed this blog, please sign up for my email list.  I will appreciate that. 
 
In the meantime, try to enjoy spring (I hope it exists wherever you are) and I will return next week with my next blog.

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