Pollinator Plants

“Hawai’i is home to around 70 species of native bees (Hylaeus sp.) and an additional 19 species of introduced bees, including honeybees. While some are distinguished by yellow or orange stripes, others are metallic blue and green. Bees provide their nests with pollen to feed their developing young. However, not all plants are equally good at producing pollen and nectar, so planning your garden to have good sources of both throughout the year is important, particularly in Hawaii’s year-round mild climate. Many common ornamental plants are selected for their showy tropical blooms, but at the expense of nectar and pollen production. Planting native Hawaiian plants can help ensure your garden provides nutritious forage year-round!

     Not all pollinator habitats need to be ornamental. Consider this: 1 in 3 bites of food we eat relies on pollination. But we aren’t the only ones to benefit from this interaction – plants produce nectar and pollen specifically to attract pollinators. A 100 sq. ft. vegetable garden can produce hundreds of pounds of produce throughout the year! If this seems daunting, consider an herb garden. Letting your herbs bolt will attract numerous pollinators to your garden!”

Some of our favorites are Hau for great hedges and privacy, Gardenia brighamii has a beautiful small white flower, Ohia Lehua, Pohinahina, Maile, and all the Naupaka’s. What’s is great about this list is that it shows you elevation and color of the flower.

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/pollinators/BeePlants

This second article below – illustrates the importance of having a variety of different plants in your garden and the importance too of letting some herbs bolt thereby creating flowers for bees and other insects.

https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmg/news/V3-Villalobos-bees.pdf

This third link is more of an illustrative guide showing you actual photos of a native pollinator garden grown in Pearl City Oahu and can give you a good idea of some plant groupings.

https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmg/Oahu/downloads/UGGNativePollinatorGarden.pdf

We personally have seen a huge increase in pollinators in our own garden and do believe that Herb gardens has played a large part, together with my Dahlia, Sunflower, Calendula and Calla lilies. We also have native Ilima, Ohia Lehua, Maile, Gardenias, tropical hibiscus (Hau), Pink hibiscus, Mamaki, in various stages of blooming throughout the year making a diverse and rich environment for pollinators.

7 Things You Can Do for Pollinators

1. PLANT FOR POLLINATORS #

• Habitat opportunities abound on every landscape – from window boxes to acres of farms to corporate campuses to utility and roadside corridors – every site can be habitat.
• Utilize plants native to your area (or at the least, non-invasive for your area).
• Utilize the Ecoregional Planting Guides and the Garden Recipe Cards to create or enhance your pollinator garden. Decide among the plant material options – seeds, plugs, plants or a combination.
• Know your soil type and select appropriate plant material.
• Plant in clusters to create a “target’ for pollinators to find.
• Plant for continuous bloom throughout the growing season from spring to fall.
• Select a site that is removed from wind, has at least partial sun, and can provide water.
• Allow material from dead branches and logs to remain as nesting sites; reduce mulch to allow patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees to utilize; consider installing wood nesting blocks for wood-nesting natives.

2. REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THE IMPACT OF PESTICIDES. #

• Check out the Pesticides Learning Center on the Pollinator Partnership website to learn more about the interactions between pollinators and pesticides!
• Where possible, avoid pest problems in the first place by burying infested plant residues, removing pest habitat, and planting native plants that encourage natural enemies of pests.
• Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• If you are a farmer or pesticide applicator, check out our Pesticide Education Module.
• If you must use pesticides, read and follow ALL label directions carefully.

3. REGISTER AS A BEE FRIENDLY FARMING GARDEN #

• Register your home or community garden with Bee Friendly Farming Garden to showcase your commitment to pollinator health!
• Along with your registration, you can opt to receive your very own BFF Garden sign, to encourage others to do the same.
• Your registered garden will appear on the Bee Friendly Farming map, along with any photos you choose to submit.
• Apply here!
• If you are a farmer, rancher, or apiarist there are other options for you. Check out the Bee Friendly Farming Garden to showcase your commitment to learn more.

4. REACH OUT TO OTHERS – INFORM AND INSPIRE #

• Utilize all the materials available to help you tell the story of pollinators.
• Especially during National Pollinator Week
• Tell local and state government officials that you care about pollinator health.

5. SUPPORT LOCAL BEES AND BEEKEEPERS. #

• Buying local honey supports the beekeepers in your area.
• If you’re concerned about the number of chemicals use in agriculture, buy organic.
• If you’re concerned about contributions to global carbon emissions, buy local.

6. CONSERVE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES; USE LESS AND REDUCE YOUR IMPACT. #

• Pollinators are dramatically affected by extremes in weather.
• Climate change puts pressure on native ranges and overwintering sites.

7. SUPPORT THE WORK OF GROUPS PROMOTING SCIENCE BASED, PRACTICAL EFFORTS FOR POLLINATORS. #

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