No need to poison plants for pollinators
The controversy over pollinators and pesticides has been simmering near the boiling point for years. At issue: Garden plants chosen precisely because their pollen attracts bees and other pollinators but then those plants are treated with pesticides. The pollinators die along with the pests, not exactly what we envision when we plant a garden for pollinators.
At the center of the controversy are systemic insecticides — particularly the class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids. The toxic substance in these pesticides travels throughout the whole plant and sticks around for quite a while.
To save the bees, gardeners are advised to substitute contact pesticides such as insecticidal soap or horticultural oil and spray only in the evening when bees aren’t active.
But here’s a novel alternative approach to the problem: Choose only bee-friendly plants thst aren’t attacked by any insect pests or diseases and therefore never require treatment with any kind of pesticide. It’s a win-win solution: Safe food for the pollinators, less work for the gardeners.
Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) tops my list of trouble-free, pollinator-friendly perennials. This Midwest native has clusters of white flowers attractive to bees, butterflies and wasps the entire summer. The foliage always looks fresh and green, without damage from any insect pest or disease. Deer and rabbits shun the aromatic leaves.
Mountain mint grows 2 to 3 feet tall and prospers in full or part sun. It does fine in normal garden soil, but unlike many perennials it also tolerates “wet feet” and is a good candidate for a rain garden. Winter’s cold doesn’t faze this hardy plant.
Mountain mint does have one flaw: Like most mints, it likes to seed itself around. If you get more baby plants than you can use or give away, you can always clip and remove clusters of browning flowers before they drop their seeds.
Great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica) is another trouble-free wildflower that is a favorite with bees, particularly bumblebees. Its spikes of deep-blue flowers stand about 3 feet tall and bloom from July through October. This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade and moist soil. Like mountain mint, it will seed itself around, but can you ever have too many blue flowers?
Some of the best plants for pollinators can be found in any herb garden. Oregano, for example. It’s a dependable bee plant that is easy to grow, with scented foliage undeterred by rabbits or deer.
While the smorgasbord for bees is plentiful in summer, it’s often a little skimpy in spring. Siberian squills help fill the void. So do pussy willows, redbuds and wild geraniums.
Write Jan Riggenbach at 2319 S. 105th Ave., Omaha, NE 68124. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you’d like a personal reply, or visit midwest gardening.com.