Buzzworthy tips to attract more garden pollinators

Most flowering plants in our gardens rely on pollinators to produce fruit and seeds. These plants depend on insects or other animals to move pollen from one flower to another. Many vegetables and fruits, such as cucumbers and mangoes, will not produce without pollination.

In Hawaii, the most common pollinators for gardens are bees, flies, butterflies and moths. Birds, beetles, geckos and other creatures that visit flowers can also be pollinators.

Flowers offer insects two important foods: nectar (sugar) and pollen (protein). Only flowers with nectar will attract pollinators. Flowers that are wind-pollinated, such as corn and most grasses, do not make nectar and will not attract pollinators.

Some common ornamental plants, such as bird of paradise, may be very colorful and attractive but are meant to be pollinated by birds and will provide little food for insect pollinators.

Composite flowers, such as daisies and sunflowers, are popular with insects because the compound flower heads offer up hundreds of tiny flowers or “florets” tightly packed together, allowing a pollinator to visit many flowers in one stop. These flowers also offer a landing pad where they can rest, and the small florets allow easy access to nectar.

Open bowl-shaped flowers, such as poppies and ilima, are easy to access and attract pollinators because they have a lot of pollen in the middle of the flower.

Umbrella flowers, such as parsley and dill, provide small, flat, open flowers in bunches. These flowers appeal to many types of pollinators because they are easy land on and their nectar is easy to access from the small, shallow flowers.

Lipped flowers, such as mint or peas, are specialized flowers with a lip at the front of the flower that acts as a landing platform for insects. As the pollinator pushes its head into the flower to get at the nectar, it brushes against the flower, picking up pollen on its back, ensuring it will carry it to the next flower.

Other plants have tubular flowers and appeal mainly to moths and butterflies, which can push their long, thin tongue into the center of the flower to drink the nectar.

These and other pollinator-friendly plants can be arranged in your garden for maximum attraction. Some pollinators, such as honey bees, learn flower patterns, colors and how to best access flowers. They want to be as efficient as possible and not waste energy.

The larger the floral display, the more noticeable and attractive the patch will be to pollinators. Increase your garden’s flower power by planting in groups or clusters, not just singular plants. Vary plants in size to increase visual appeal and provide a diversity of flowers in a small space.

A variety of plant types also will ensure something is always in bloom and offer food for all types of pollinators.

Choose plants, such as rosemary and other herbs, that are less susceptible to pests to reduce the need for pesticides. If you do use a pesticide, even those labeled organic, select the least toxic formula and spray in the evening, when most insects are not active.

Read the label and instructions carefully to minimize exposure to pollinators. Pesticides that can harm honey bees and other pollinators will have a red “Bee Advisory Box” that contains a honey bee icon. It will highlight any use restrictions and how to minimize the risk to pollinators.

For more information on pollinator plants and how to use them in your garden, contact your local University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service office.

Cynthia Nazario-Leary is an urban horticulture extension agent and Master Gardener coordinator with the University of Hawaii’s Cooperative Extension Service on Maui.