How to Attract Native Pollinators to Small Urban Gardens.

Table of Contents

What are native pollinators and why they are important for cities

Pollination, a process in which pollen grains travel from one flower to another and produce egg, then seeds. These grains are carried by living organism called pollinators. Hence it becomes important to attract native pollinators to small urban gardens to expand them. Garden Owner should know how to attract bees and butterflies in urban gardens. To attract them, he should grow best plants for pollinators in small city gardens

Native pollinators are specific species of pollinators on a particular region or area where they have been evolved. It includes solitary bees, like moson bees leafcutter bees. Butterflies , beetles, flies and even moths. Unlike honeybees these native pollinators doesn’t require human made nest or shelter they make their own house in soil, tree cracks , hollow stems or wall cracks.

Why they mattar for urban gardens ?

Over 90% of flowering plants rely on animal pollinators and many food crops get benefits from them. A report from U.S. forest service tells that 75% of world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators to some extent for reproduction. 35% of global food crops rely on pollinators especially bees- by food and agriculture organization. Urban gardens that support pollinators can produce 70 more food than gardens without pollinators – source, journal of applied ecology. India is home for over 700 native bees species and many of them perform better in city garden- National bee board of india. A study from banglore showed that community gardens with flowering native plants increased crop yield by 40%- source Indian Institute of science banglore

Before knowing how to attract native pollinators to small urban gardens, know why they mattar for urban gardens-

1. Efficient local pollination : native pollinators are adopted with the surrounding plants they are uniquely synced with local environment, these advantages makes them more effective.

2. Encourage chemical free gardening: some pollinator dependent plants like marigold, attract native pollinators, which can easily repel pests like aphids and whiteflies. Overall reducing pesticides usage in your garden.

3. Urban nature educators: Native pollinators offer a real time biology class for the kids. Urban areas with visible native pollinators shows more interest in the environment and local green activity.

4. They support green branding : presence of native pollinators in green buildings is now a metric. Rooftop and terraces with pollinator friendly zone are used for eco marketing and urban branding for sustainability.

5. No maintainance : I like imported pollinators, native pollinators can survive pollution, heat, noise and limited green space. They even don’t required have you maintenance you can just give them space to make nest flowers and water that’s all.

How to attract native pollinators to small urban garden

Grow native plants by color blocks : according to your area grow native plants which can survive the current condition of your region. Plant 3-5 of same flower species in color blocks. Example_ a dense corner of yellow marigold, Purple basil on the centre.
Create micro habitat: leave a mix of dead twigs, wood pieces, dry leaves and stones and patchy soil on the corners. This represent their natural habitat. Native bees loves dry, cracked surfaces and hollow stems.
Use urban surfaces for Nesting allies: use old terracottas bricks with holes aur cracked tiles, please them near the planted zone. Many solitary bees gives their eggs into the deep cracks in the wall, main agali species in your garden as a pollinating friendly soon
Add pollinator plants in vertical garden : In your vertical garden include nectar rich climbers and native herbs. Butterfly pea morning glory and ajwain are some examples. These plants attract native pollinated even in a tight balcony garden. Butterflies often rest on vertical trellises.
Make a clay mud pool for ground nesters: place a low clay bowl with moist soil. Mist it lightly every 2 days. Mining bees, ground nesting bees, use it for making their nest and setting up a colony becouse some bees need moist clay or mud to build tunnels.
Evening bloomers for night pollinators: plant moonflowers or Jasmine near wall or fences. These type of flowers helps to attract pollinated at night time specially in heat zone areas where day time is hard for pollinators. This plant give out fragrance.
Avoid over cleaning : In urban areas people loves clean environment the focus on cleaning their garden more. But their is an issue becouse native pollinators want their favourable environment not clean environment. Don’t remove every weed , fallen leaves or dry stem

How to attract bees and butterfly in urban gardens

Even if your garden is small then still you can make your garden buzzing paradise. You can still attract native pollinators to small urban garden just by following these method and choosing best plants for pollinators in urban gardens :-

Grow variety of native plants- if you want pollinators to come into your garden then you have to plant native flowers and not just only one type of flower grow native flowers that bloom in different seasons so some pollinated will always be available.Examples of these type of plants are- marigold and calendula for spring season, For summer season grow lemon balm or hibiscus and for winter season grow Mexican sunflower or goldenrod.
Scent layering with multi height plants pollinators like bees and butterflies follows scent trails. Grow aromatic plants at different height level which create a scent level that disperse perfectly in winds. This helps pollinators to dive deeper into your garden.
Provide shelter area- butterflies like warm and Sunny spot, you can add flat stones where they can rest. Same as with solitary bees they make their nest in soil patches or tiny holes in wood. for helping them you can leave some bare ground or install A handmade Bee hotel
Offer water safely- we know that pollinated need water but they can drown easily in deep bowls, you can use a shallow dish with pebbles so they can land safely and drink water. Keep your water plant near the flooring area but in partial shade to prevent algae.
Avoid fancy flowers- some hybrid flower plants look beautiful they can attract pollinators but they don’t have nectar and pollen. Use simple and open flowers so that pollinators can actually feed on.
Use reflective surface behind nector plant, bees are more likely to find nector rich plant when their scent is amplified. Place your nectar rich plant near white tiles or mirror which reflects heat and light and this helps in releasing and spreading of flower’s scent.
Add butterfly fruit feeder – this step has dual advantages. Butterfly love overripe fruit so you can place a plate with mised banana oranges lights and other food parts and these foods also attract fruit flies which are a food source of some special bees.
Plant noise buffering species, in urban areas there is a lot of noise, like traffic, these unfavourable noise confuse native pollinators. Plant some sound dampening species like bamboo lemongrass or thick shrubs. It helps to reduce low frequency City noises and create a calm micro habitat

Best plants for pollinators in city garden - which plants harm pollinator.

Since urban gardening is not professional then it is not just about choosing plants, it’s about choosing the right one which requires low maintenance and it can also attract bees butterfly and even tiny hoverflies. Where is the complaint guide to grow the perfect plant for your urban garden and avoid the harmful or less effective plants. If you have small balconies then here are best plants for pollinators in urban gardens which can attract native pollinators to small urban gardens

Marigold – easy to grow loved by bees and butterflies also favourable for Sunny spot.
Lemon balm – it releases a strong sent that attracts honey bees and it grows well in partial shade.
Tulsi (holy basil) – it is a sacred plant and it is excellent for native bees.
Hibiscus – large and colourful flower you can see its’ pollen naturally.
Aparajita – beautiful wine that attract small pollinators it is great for vertical balcony spaces.
Lantana – it is multi coloured blooms attract both butterfly and bees. Use Indian Native latana, avoid hybrid one.

Avoid these types of plants –

Hybrid double bloom flower – it looks pretty but lack of nector and pollen. Hybrid marigold and show roses are such examples

Non native invasive species- it can dominate space and reduced biodiversity.

Plant treated with systematic pesticides – if these plants even bloom then they can poison nector and pollen. That’s a big threat for your garden ecosystem.

Pure lawns or grass only area – it offers zero value to the pollinators. Instead of growing then, hello clover dandelions and flowering herbs to grow on the edge.

How to attract bees without getting stung

Choose non aggressive native bee species plants, there are certain flowers which attract solitary bees like leafcutters or carpenter bees. This type of bees don’t until you trap or disturb them.
Place your flowering plants along the edges of your garden not in the walking path or your seating zones. If you don’t block their bath there is no chance of their attack.
Avoid strong perfumes and dark clothes. Bees are attracted towards the strong smell and there often confused by dark clothing a thing that you are a Predator. Remeber that you have to attract native pollinators to small urban gardens not on your ownself.
If a bee, by chance, come near to you then don’t panic or swat and don’t try to hit them before it bite you. Let them fly away. If they will stung you then they would also die.
Don’t put nest near human activity, avoid placing be hotels Shelters or water dishes write next to the seating zones or entrance area.

Ending Up

At last know you are ready to attract native pollinators to small urban gardens without any risk and problems. Now we know how to attract bees and butterflies in urban gardens. One of most important point is that remeber to pick best plants for pollinators in small city gardens becouse plants are the backbone/Heart of the whole ecosystem in your garden. When you see some results after following all steps then go through the last heading to avoid injuries caused from bees attack. Stay healthy visit our other post. Thanks for your precious time

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