Purple Coneflower breathtaking beauty. Bloom colors range from yellow to blue to purple, appealing to any homeowner’s preference. Summer Blooming: <strong>The</strong> longest bloom period, these species provide food and beauty during the hot, dog days of summer. Blanket Flower, Golden Aster, Hoary Vervain, Lead Plant, Purple Coneflower, Swamp Milkweed, Ironweed, Bergamot, Black Eyed Susan, Liatris and Showy Sunflower will brighten up any property. Autumn Blooming: Helping to provide substance before migration or wintering, fall blooming plants are the last chance a pollinator has to feed before winter. Species such as Heath Aster, Goldenrod, Sky Blue Aster and Maximilian Sunflower ensure there is eye appeal and forage right up to the frost. Sky Blue Aster Small pollinator plots or native landscaping, with an eye to pollinators, are best done by planting plugs. Plugs take the guesswork out of germination and make it so even a novice gardener can grow beautiful plants. A great local source of native forbs is the United Prairie Foundation’s greenhouse in Enderlin, North Dakota. <strong>The</strong>re are also several sources of plants in Minnesota that can mail your selections right to your door. Garden Crops Many garden crops require pollination by insects, and many others provide food and habitat for them as well. Some crops, like okra, are self-pollinating. While they provide little for insects there add a splash of color to the garden. Cucumbers depend on pollinators and require insect pollination from the male flowers to the female flowers. Other crops, like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant, are mostly wind pollinated. However, bumblebees can improve fruit set and size as they vibrate the flowers and shake loose the pollen. <strong>The</strong> best way to keep pollinators in the garden is by the use of a cover crop. Cover crops can be planted between rows and can be given their own little patch in the corner of a garden. Plants such as buckwheat, mustards, field peas, crimson clover and hairy vetch not only improve the soil but attract and feed pollinators as well. M aximillian Sunflower Our Hard-Working Pollinators While native prairie stretching to the horizon is amazingly diverse, beautiful and productive for pollinators, anyone with a small patch of land, whether in the city or country, can be attractive and provide habitat for them as well. Simple, easy plantings can reap huge rewards for our hard-working pollinators. • 10 | THE GOOD LIFE
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