Insect Community Nesting Area Mini Garden
If you're looking to attract beneficial insects to your garden, consider creating a small insect-friendly flower garden. This garden will be a haven for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, while also enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space.
Key Suggestions for Bee- and Pollinator-Friendly Flowers
To create a thriving insect-friendly flower garden, focus on planting a variety of nectar-rich, pollinator-attracting flowers that bloom in different seasons. Plant several of the same species near each other to minimize pollinator travel, and include flowers with diverse shapes and colors to attract a wide range of pollinators.
Some suggestions for bee- and pollinator-friendly flowers include:
- Honeysuckle (a climbing vine with highly perfumed flowers that needs support to climb)
- Lavender (an aromatic perennial with long summer bloom and blue to purple flowers)
- Lilac (shrubs or small trees with sweet-scented spring flowers)
- Poppies (bright, crepey flowers, annual or perennial)
- Snapdragons (bright blooms that provide food in cooler months)
- Agastache (tubular blooms in shades of peach, purple, and yellow; very attractive)
- Cilantro (an herb that flowers and attracts bees and butterflies)
- Salvia (tubular flowers, eatable varieties bloom long)
- Lamb's Ear (velvety leaves, unusual flowers loved by hummingbird moths)
Plant several of the same type in a group and include a mix that blooms in spring, summer, and fall for continuous support.
Additional Helpful Tips
Ensure good sun exposure and provide a source of water for pollinators. Avoid pesticides and chemical use to protect these insects. Provide nesting areas and allow leaf litter in parts of the garden for insect hibernation. Consider adding a bee lawn by mixing flowering plants with turfgrass to attract native bees foraging on nectar and pollen.
Product Suggestions
Look for seed or plant varieties like Lavender 'Hidcote', Agastache 'Summerlong Coral', Salvia 'Mystical Blue', or Snapdragons from local nurseries or garden centers known for pollinator-friendly plants. Many garden centers also offer pollinator-friendly seed mixes or starter packs tailored for small gardens.
Growing Wishes offers an Organic Herb Garden and a Flower Garden for those looking for specific product suggestions. Honeybee Scatter Garden is another product offered by an unspecified brand. Wildflower Farms offers a 5-pound Eco-Lawn Grass Seed for those interested in creating a bee lawn.
By following these guidelines, you create a welcoming habitat that supports insect diversity while enhancing your garden’s beauty. This approach supports essential pollinators year-round and benefits ecosystem health around your home.
Consider expanding your home-and-garden to include annual or perennial plants, such as honeysuckle, lavender, poppies, and snapdragons, to attract beneficial insects to your lifestyle. By implementing a bee lawn, you can also attract native bees, creating a thriving ecosystem within your outdoor space.
