Bring Pollinators to Landscapes
As you probably already know, last week was National Pollinator Week. According to the Pollinator Partnership, Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what growers, retailers, gardeners and all plant lovers can do to protect them.
I was thrilled each day last week as I received so many emails from various organizations and businesses taking part in the celebration through various promotions and events. Gardeners are becoming more and more aware of pollinator health and how pollinators affect our environments, and these campaigns are a great way to get them involved.
Did you take part in the celebration last week? Or do you have any plans to promote pollinator health to your customers in the future? While Pollinator Week is an excellent opportunity to spread the word, there are plenty of ways you can celebrate pollinators year-round.
Pollinator gardens are becoming increasingly popular, and you can do your part by offering pollinator-friendly plants in your garden center. Create a bench of just bee-loving plants, or print out handouts to educate customers.
So, which varieties will attract pollinators to gardens? If you’re trying to decide which plants to offer those customers looking to create buzz in their landscapes, look no further:
Angelonia ‘Angelface Perfectly Pink’
Proven Winners
This all-season bloomer features grape-scented foliage and requires no deadheading. It is a heat-loving plant that will grow most vigorously when the heat is on.
Salvia ‘Summer Jewel Red’
American Takii
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An All-America Selections winner, ‘Summer Jewel Red’ is an early and exceptionally floriferous variety. The bright red flower spikes are covered with half-inch blooms.
Eucomis ‘Aloha Lily Kona’
Golden State Bulb Growers
Aloha Lily varieties are naturally compact and have an excellent shelf life. ‘Aloha Lily Kona’ blooms in early to late summer and presents four to six pineapple-shaped spikes hosting hundreds of small florets.
Calamintha ‘Variegata’
Hishtil
This aromatic, evergreen perennial has a rounded habit and small lilac-blue flowers. Cream-white splashes appear on its green leaves.
Agastache ‘Kudos Ambrosia’
Terra Nova Nurseries
Low, tight mounds are lovely as a mass garden planting. ‘Kudos Ambrosia’ presents creamy coconut, pale orange and light rose-pink spikes. Flowers change color constantly, blending well with almost any color in the spectrum.
Lavender ‘LaVela Dark Violet’
Selecta
Hardy to Zone 8, LaVela flowers four weeks earlier than most Lavandula stoechas. It features a tight habit, great branching and tall flags on lots of flowers.
What are your top-selling pollinator attractants? Is this a growing category for your business? Shoot me an email and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
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