Caption: Skipper butterfly on a yarrow plant. Credit: Carrie Jensen

You might have heard that pollinator and insect population are in decline (more about that below). But the good news is that you can help pollinators in your own yard. Installing pollinator-friendly plants can provide much needed habitat and resources. Here are a few publications for suggested plants to consider for Nevada.

Northern Nevada

• Gardening for Native Bees in Utah and Beyond
• Xerces Society's Native Plants for Pollinator's and Beneficial Insects: Great Basin Region
• Pollinator Partnership Selecting Plants for Pollinators: Intermountain Semidesert and Desert Province
• Pollinator Partnership Selecting Plants for Pollinators: Nevada-Utah Mountains Semidesert Coniferous Forest Alpine Meadow Province
• Nevada Bugs and Butterflies Native Pollinator Plant Sourcing List for Northern Nevada
• One Truckee River's River-Friendly Landscaping Pollinator Plant List

Southern Nevada

• Pollinator Partnership American Semidert and Dessert Province
• Xerces Society Recommended Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects: California Deserts & Southern Nevada

Planting Tips

When installing pollinator plants keep in mind these additional tips:

1. Choose a Variety of Plants
   • Diverse Blooms: Pollinators are attracted to different types of flowers. Try to plant a variety of species that bloom at different times throughout the growing season (spring, summer, and fall). This ensures there’s food available for pollinators year-round.
   • Native Plants: Native plants are often the best choice because they provide the most beneficial food sources for local pollinators. Research plants native to your area to make sure you’re supporting local species.
   • Include Different Flower Shapes: Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, are attracted to different types of flowers based on their shape and size. Include a variety of flower shapes, such as tubular (for hummingbirds), open (for bees), and flat-topped (for butterflies).
2. Provide a Continuous Supply of Nectar & Pollen
   • Choose plants that produce nectar and pollen, as these are the primary food sources for pollinators. Common pollinator-friendly plants include coneflowers, sunflowers, lavender, milkweed, and goldenrod.
   • Color Matters: Pollinators are attracted to certain flower colors. Bees are particularly attracted to blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers, while hummingbirds prefer red, orange, and pink.
3. Create Layers of Planting
   • Plant a mix of low-growing ground covers, mid-height plants, and taller flowering trees. This will provide a variety of habitats and encourage different pollinators to visit.
4. Try to Avoid Windy Locations
   • This may be difficult in Nevada, but to the extent possible, provide pollinator habitat that is protected from the wind to help pollinators conserve energy while foraging.
5. Provide Water and Shelter
   • Pollinators need water too! Set up a shallow water dish with stones or sticks for them to land on and drink from. A birdbath or shallow dish with pebbles can work well. Just be sure to clean out regularly.
6. Avoid Pesticides
   • Pesticides are harmful to pollinators, so try to avoid using them in your garden. If pest control is necessary, use the least toxic option and apply treatments as instructed by the product label.
7. Plant in Clusters
   • Pollinators tend to visit flowers in clusters. Planting groups of the same plant together will make your garden more appealing to them. This is especially true for bees, which are attracted to large, concentrated patches of flowers.
8. Pollinator Gardens Can be Big and Small
   • Pollinator gardens don't have to be large. You can plant in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, or even along fences and walkways. Every little bit counts!

By creating a welcoming environment for pollinators, you not only help sustain them but also contribute to the health of local ecosystems and food production. Happy planting!

Pollinator Decline

You might have heard that pollinator and insect populations are in decline. This decline is alarming because pollinators play a critical role in fertilizing plants, which provides us with many food sources and maintains healthy ecosystems. 

Several factors contributing to pollinator decline:

• Pesticides: The widespread use of pesticides has been shown to harm pollinators, either by directly poisoning them or by impairing their navigation and reproduction.
• Habitat Loss: Urbanization, agricultural expansion, and deforestation have destroyed or fragmented the habitats where pollinators thrive, reducing food sources and shelter.
• Climate Change: Shifts in climate patterns, such as temperature changes and extreme weather events, can disrupt the timing of flowering plants and pollinator activity, making it difficult for them to synchronize.
• Diseases and Parasites: Pollinators, especially bees, are vulnerable to various diseases and parasites, such as the Varroa mite, which can weaken and kill entire colonies.
• Monoculture Crops: Large-scale monoculture farming reduces the diversity of plants available to pollinators, limiting their food sources and making them more susceptible to diseases.

Read more about the insects on decline