How to Attract Pollinating Insects

Pollinating insects are almost always beneficial to gardens. Attracting them is easy to accomplish, even in a brand-new garden. Over time, pollinating insects such as butterflies and bees will find their own way to your garden, without any effort on your part. Be prepared, however, for the presence of wasps and bumblebees. The plants that draw butterflies and honey bees will also draw these less-than-welcome insects.

Brightly colored flowers

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase flowers from your local nursery while the buds are still partially sealed so that they will bloom after they have been planted. The more fragrant the flowers, the more likely that you will draw pollinators to your garden. Use perennials such as purple coneflower, aster and daisies so that insects such as bees will return to the plant year after year. Hollyhocks, columbines and rhododendrons draw pollinating insects and hummingbirds, as well.
- 2
  Position the flowers throughout your garden. If you wish to draw pollinating insects to a vegetable garden, place the flowers near the corners of the garden. Large plants such as lilacs and roses are good choices for corner plants. Plant annuals such as marigolds or petunias for heightened garden interest as well as to help draw pollinating insects.
- 3
  Water the flowers nightly when the weather is dry to encourage plant growth and the largest possible number of blooms.

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