What Are Pollinators? Meet Your Garden's Heroes

Pollinators are your garden's best friends. They enhance fruit and seed production, improve the health of your soil, and attract other helpful insects to your garden. 

Oh — did we mention they can save you $900 per decade on gardening expenses? (More on that later.)

So what are pollinators? They're not just nature's pollination specialists — they are the backbone of a budget-friendly garden and landscape design. Here's what we'll cover in this guide to a pollinator friendly garden:

• Pollinators aren't just insects and birds! We all know hummingbirds and native bees aid pollination. But bats, some lizards and other small mammals can help pollinate your flowering plants, fruits and trees.
• Bees, beetles and butterflies are essential to plant reproduction. They work tirelessly to transfer pollen, which distributes seeds and fruits to create natural biodiversity and spread native plants.
• Pollinators save money for DIY home gardeners and landscapers. They reduce your overall reliance on fertilizers and increase fruit and vegetable production. Some, like ladybugs, prey on destructive garden pests.
• Native plants and flowers attract pollinators well. Go beyond marigolds and sunflowers! Use native plant species in your pollinator garden. Lavender, purple coneflower and black-eyed Susans are great for attracting these helpful animals.

How do you design a garden to attract native pollinators? Check out the best layout for your pollinator garden, and get those helpful bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to work for you!

What Are Pollinators? The Basics

Pollinators are animals that assist plant reproduction. They move pollen from the stamen (male part of a flower) to the pistil (female part) of another flower. This pollination process directly aids production of fruits, seeds, and new plants.

Your garden's pollinator population reduces your overall maintenance and upkeep. They offer 4 key types of assistance to DIY gardeners:

1. Pest Control: Many pollinators are natural predators of common garden pests — most notably, lacewings and ladybugs. More pollinators equals fewer aphids, caterpillars, and other destructive pests that harm your plants.
2. Plant Health: Effective pollination creates healthier, hardier plants. The stronger your plants, the more naturally resistant they are to pests and disease. 
3. Seed Production: Animal pollination creates natural distribution of seeds, and the creation of new seeds each year. A healthy pollinator habitat greatly reduces your need to purchase seeds and new plants.
4. Enriched Soil: Honey bees and other native bees contribute to soil health by aiding in pollination of soil-enriching plants like clover.

Types of Wild Pollinators in Your Garden

If you see the wildlife on this list near your garden or solitary trees, let them be — they're helping you!

Pollinator species are broken down into 4 primary categories:

Insect Pollinators

• Bees: This list includes honey bees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, mason bees, and other solitary bee species.
• Butterflies and Moths: Besides monarchs and other butterflies, many moth species are helpful pollinators.
• Flies: Hoverflies, bee flies, and even some house flies can assist the pollination process.
• Beetles: Scarab beetles, weevils, flower beetles, longhorn beetles and soldier beetles.
• Wasps: Solitary wasps are incredibly helpful pollinators.

Bird Pollinators

• Hummingbirds: The “poster children” of pollination and signs of a healthy pollinator garden.
• Orioles: Orioles transfer pollen on their bodies and beaks while searching for nectar.
• Finches: Nectar-seeking finches, like orioles, can also transfer pollen among flowers.
• Woodpeckers: Woodpeckers' role in the transfer of pollen grain is being studied.
• Doves: Specifically, the white-winged dove pollinates cacti and other arid climate plants.

Mammal Pollinators

• Bats: Bats are wonderful nocturnal pollinators that work on your garden while you sleep.
• Opossums: Once considered “accidental pollinators”, opossums are now being studied for their nectar-eating habits.

Reptile Pollinators

• Geckos: These lizards facilitate pollen transfer in warm, humid climates like the southeastern US and Hawaii.
• Skinks: Skinks can inadvertently transfer pollen when eating nectar.

How Pollinators Save Gardeners Money

Pollinators save gardeners and DIY landscapers money in 3 ways:

• Natural seed transfer and fruit growth: Gardeners spend less money on seeds, new plants and fruit purchases by cultivating plants that attract native pollinators.
• Natural pest control: Ladybugs and lacewings are born to eradicate many garden pests and invasive species. It's estimated that gardeners with strong ladybug and lacewing populations spend 30-50% less annually on pesticide.
• Sustained garden and native plant growth: Animal pollinators facilitate biodiversity and the creation of new plants over time. This reduces the need to purchase new perennials and biennials.

Can Pollinators Save You $900 Per Decade?

Even a modest pollinator population has a positive effect on your gardening budget. Let's look at some statistics:

Pest Control Costs

The Pesticide Action Network reports that U.S. homeowners use 80 million pounds of synthetic pesticides per year on their lawns and gardens. That's roughly one pound per household.

The average lawn and garden pesticide spray costs between $12-$20 for 16 fluid ounces, which roughly equates to a pound. 

If pollinators reduce your overall pesticide needs by 25-50%, that equates to $10 per year — or $100 per decade of your garden.

Plant Purchase Costs

The average American household spends roughly $125 per year on garden plants. Nearly 70% of these are fruits, vegetables, or annuals. 

Pollinators reduce the need to purchase new annuals and fruits through seed transfer and pollination. Well-managed pollinator gardens become self-sustaining — owners only need to replace plants as they naturally die.

Assuming a modest 80% sustainability rate of a pollinator garden, you'll save $800 per decade on buying new plants.

Put those numbers together, and wild pollinators effectively save gardeners $900 a decade on expenses.

Add These 8 Native Plants to Your Pollinator Garden

So, how do you attract these money-saving, plant-loving pollinators to your garden?

Native plant selection is vital to establishing a thriving pollinator garden. Native species are naturally acclimated to your soil, climate and weather conditions. And animal pollinators in your region evolved to seek out these plants.

Here are 8 fantastic native plant species that act as pollinator plants for your garden:

1. Marigolds
2. Sunflowers
3. Purple coneflower
4. Black-eyed Susan
5. Milkweed
6. Lavender
7. Butterfly weed
8. Wild geraniums

Native plants are the backbone of a successful outdoor space. Learn why smart homeowners are investing in native landscaping, and how the right plants can save you thousands of dollars on landscape design.

Conclusion

A pollinator garden is a budget-friendly way that put wild pollinators to work for you! Enlist these helpful animals to spread seeds and pollen — you'll create a low-maintenance landscape that assists in bird and invertebrate conservation.

• Don't shoo bumble bee, honey bee and wasp species from your flowers! They're a natural way to improve your garden's biodiversity and overall health.
• Rely less on chemical pesticides, and more on your pollinator population. You won't just save money, you'll save your plants (and family) from harmful pesticide ingredients.‍
• Incorporate native pollinators into your garden. Purple coneflower, butterfly weed and black-eyed Susans work beautifully in region-specific pollinator gardens.