Creating a welcoming habitat for pollinators and wildlife
Fads in gardening come and go, but one trend that has become central for many gardeners is creating a haven for wildlife, especially pollinators.
Entomologist Douglas Tallamy’s 2009 book, “Bringing Nature Home,” was a tipping point in inspiring gardeners to put the well-being of the planet front and center in their landscapes. He and his wife spent 14 years coaxing back to life 10 acres of what
had been farmland for nearly four centuries, achieving diversity by adding layers to its monocultural botanical architecture. Tallamy’s latest book, “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard” (Timber Press, $14.99), provides a rubric to achieve biodiversity in a garden of any size, from a small city plot to a typical suburban yard or many acres of land. Here are some of his tips:
• Shrink the lawn. Lawns are a great American tradition. An expanse of shorn turf is perfect for an active family and can set off a border beautifully. But, if your goal is to bring wildlife to your garden, a lawn is not the most hospitable choice. For more biodiversity, reduce your grassy footprint and add groundcovers or mixed plantings of native shrubs, grasses and perennials. Also allow some flowering “weeds” to grow in your lawn to reduce the use of chemicals.
• Emphasize native plants. Tallamy provides data showing that native plants sustain insects while introduced plants do not. All of the estimated 164,000 insect species in the United States depend on plants for food and reproduction. Caterpillars are especially nutritious and sustain the breeding bird population. Hungry baby birds rely on caterpillars to feed them to maturity. A dearth of insects impacts birds’ ability to mature and survive.
Native oak ( Quercus), cherry ( Prunus) and willow ( Salix) trees are havens for caterpillars. Oaks are particularly important. According to Tallamy, 557 caterpillar species are supported by oak trees. Their acorns also support mammals such as squirrel, bear and deer. Properties that include these trees greatly support the food web, including birds and bats. A gardener who plants these species is making a major contribution to wildlife.
• Remove invasive species. Don’t purchase widely sold invasive plants such as Callery or ‘Bradford’ pear, privet, burning bush, barberry and Norway maple. If you have inherited a property with these species, eliminate them. Other pervasive invasive species include bush honeysuckle and Oriental bittersweet.
• Plant for pollinators. Some of the best plants for native bees are native perennial species of sunflower ( Helianthus), goldenrod ( Solidago), aster ( Symphyotrichum) and milkweed ( Asclepias). Start with one or two of these plants. If they do well in your garden, plant more next year. Large groupings are more beneficial than one or two isolated plants. Blueberries ( Vaccinium) are good woody plants to encourage native bees in the garden. While they are self-fertile, be sure to select two different varieties for better fruit production.
• Use integrated pest management. Reduce the use of pesticides that kill insects indiscriminately. IPM is a strategy for managing pests that takes into account pests’ natural behaviors and biology, considering prevention, avoidance, monitoring and suppression with the least use of toxic chemicals. Native plants typically require less fertilizer than introduced species. Tallamy recommends compost instead.
• Provide water for wildlife. Depending on the size of your garden, a pond or rain garden is appreciated by birds and butterflies. If space is a concern, a bird bath or puddling station will do. Conserve water by using drip irrigation.
• Spread the word: A small private garden planted in this manner supports wildlife and may inspire your neighbors. Tallamy encourages conservation corridors where these principles are repeated, creating large swaths of biodiversity. It falls to gardeners to create landscapes that inspire, and to educate communities on the importance of our native insects and birds.
Dianne Machesney is a Penn State Master Gardener. This volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension. Have a gardening question? Email it, along with photos, to the Garden Hotline, staffed by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Allegheny County at alleghenymg@psu.edu. They are answering emails from home.