Here’s How You Can Attract Bees And Butterflies To Your Garden

blackdiamond67 - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
blackdiamond67 - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

When the weather gets warmer, all the animals begin emerging from their hibernation, including those pesky insects. Insects are thought of as nothing but a nuisance, and they can wreak havoc on your bed of flowers or crops.

But not all little critters are unwelcome. Some bugs are beneficial to your plants and are actually a pleasure to have around.

For instance, the summer season just would not be complete without the traffic of buzzing bees and colorful butterflies in your garden.

These hardworking creatures support plant life and are essential to the environment’s health. We rely on pollinators to contribute to the growth of fruits, vegetables, and other produce.

But climate change and the rampant use of pesticides in recent years have led to the destruction and loss of the areas they call home.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that the number of honey bee hives in the country has decreased from six million in the 1940s to about two million today.

And the monarch butterfly is now considered an endangered species, its population experiencing a decline of 85 percent over the past two decades.

It’s tough to imagine a future without the busy bee and beloved butterfly. The world will deteriorate without the work that they do.

But if you’ve got a garden, no matter how small, you can help them thrive. So if you want to attract more bees and butterflies and watch your garden flourish this summer, here’s how you can do it.

blackdiamond67 – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Plant a variety of flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes to attract pollinators. The key is to group several flowers together. They will be drawn to a bigger cluster of plants rather than individual blooms.

Furthermore, choose flowers that bloom heavily from early spring to late fall so they’ll have a lot more options to choose from when springtime comes.

Annual flowers are the easiest to grow. They pop up each year, lasting for an entire season. They’re the perfect plants to start out your garden with. Cosmos, sunflowers, and zinnias are known for attracting bees and butterflies.

Perennial plants are an excellent way to expand your garden over time. They bloom for a few weeks to a few months and return for many seasons. Consider planting the nectar-rich salvia, milkweed, and coneflowers.

Native plants are also good to include. The modern obsession with perfectly manicured green lawns has eradicated much of the wildlife that pollinators have evolved with and adapted to. Research shows that native plants are four times more likely to attract pollinators than non-natives.

Something else to add to your garden is edible plants. Herbs like chives, dill, and cilantro are popular among pollinators.

Lastly, provide a water source for the bees and butterflies. A birdbath or shallow dish of water will suffice. Even better if you’ve already got a natural water source, such as a stream or pond.

If you follow these tips for attracting the bees and the butterflies and limit the use of chemicals in your garden, you will create a welcoming space that the pollinators will be sure to return to every year.

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan

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