Published in the News-Review on March 7, 2025

By: Julie Burchstead

“Diversity Makes Pollinator Gardens Thrive”

Question: What is the most important aspect of a pollinator garden?

Answer: Diversity. Planting a diversity of plants (including some native plants) best supports a diversity of animal life.

As temperatures warm and plants begin their spring wake-up, so do pollinators. It is a bit early for most butterflies, but bees are getting out there! According to an OSU resource, honey bees can be active in warmer weather year round. Native bees, such as Mason bees, can be active as early as February if daytime temps begin reaching 50-55 degrees. When and whether you see these gentle and highly effective pollinators in your garden, is completely dependent on what you are offering at your home garden buffet. Many native plants such as the manzanita in my yard began pushing out tiny, but prolific blooms just after Valentine’s Day. Since then, crocus, daphne, and native red-flowering currant have followed. 

In the natural world, diversity has always been what makes ecosystems thrive. Monocultures planted for the sole propagation of one plant; in agricultural practices (crops), cultural practices 

(lawn), and timber management (trees); all demand a lot of resources, human intervention and sometimes chemicals to thrive. Monocultures are more vulnerable when climate changes, pests, or disease create challenges, and they often create food deserts, particularly for native pollinators, one of the possible contributors for pollinator decline. Diversely populated ecosystems support pollinators.

While honeybees and monarch butterflies tend to be pollinators that come to mind for most people, honeybees aren’t native. Honey is a delicious trade-off for their hive-protective nature, but they can’t hold a candle to the pollinating productivity of many of Oregon’s lesser known, more even-natured solitary bees. Monarch butterflies, while both native and lovely ambassadors, aren’t frequent visitors here in Douglas County. If you want to attract the locals: ceanothus silkworm and white-lined sphinx moths, skipper and swallowtail butterflies, bee mimic syrphid flies, mason bees and more, you need to make sure your garden offers a smorgasbord late winter into fall. Planting a diversity of plants, including some natives, is key. Thinking of diversity in other ways can help too. 

Diversity in color: Though there are always exceptions, research has shown bees tend to be attracted to white, yellow, blue, or ultraviolet flowers. Hummingbirds prefer red, orange, pink and yellow. Night-opening flowers tend to attract pollinator moths. Planting groups and swaths of color tends to attract more pollinators than single plants. 

Diversity in flower shape: Plants and insects evolved together. Many families of flowers have specific relationships with specific insects with traits that enable them to tolerate, access, and pollinate their blossoms. The monarch and milkweed relationship is a well-known example. But beware: plants human-cultivated for traits like flowers with showy double blossoms, for example, might actually impede access to pollinators. Some pollinators are generalists who can access food from a wider variety of plants, but many, especially native pollinators, are specialists and rely on certain plant families, even specific species. If you grow plants with a wide variety of bloom shapes, you ensure you will have something for bees to hummingbirds.

Diversity in bloom time: Research the pollinators you want to attract and find out when they are active. Map out the bloom times for what you currently have in your garden. If you have gaps, plant things that will fill them. Native plants may not be as showy as some of your old favorites, but tucking some into corners of your yard really makes a difference in attracting a wider variety of pollinators. Research which plants attract which pollinators (OSU Extension has some excellent free resources for this). And beware, some plants cultivated for a certain look, may no longer produce pollen. Many ornamental sunflowers are pollenless, so purchase with care. Such plants may be blooming, but offering an empty plate.

Diversity in leaf types: Leaves offer shade, shelter, caterpillar food (I know what you are thinking, but pollinator moths and butterflies all go through this hungry larval stage. No caterpillars-no butterflies). And in the case of leafcutter bees,  a cutting of a soft leaf provides a cap to the cavities that house their overwintering young. Diversity in leaf types, colors, and shapes not only creates visual interest, but leaf types can serve different purposes for pollinators as well.

Diversity in plant types and growing habits: Think of your garden as a habitat. Gardens with layers of growth – groundcovers to flowers to shrubs and trees – offer both food and shelter. The more needs your garden can meet for pollinators, the more likely they will stay. 

If you want to attract more pollinators, keep diversity in mind. At minimum, try to have three different types of plants blooming at all times, late winter to late fall. For many kinds of plants, deadheading spent blooms can significantly extend overall bloom time. A diverse garden that provides a welcoming haven is equally a feast for our gardener’s hearts. And you will be doing our world a favor as well.