Every year I wonder if any pollinator friends will visit my gardens. I usually can count on the bees arriving early, but how about butterflies, hummingbirds and hummingbird moths?
I’ve tried to plant mostly pollinator friendly flowers and over the years I’ve seen a steady improvement in the number of pollinators in my yard. Bee Balm, Phlox, Petunias, Snapdragons, Hosta among others.
This year has been a great one for hummingbirds. Usually I’m happy if I see a couple a year (pitiful, I know), but this year they’ve been here almost daily since early summer both in my backyard and in my WI garden.
I also have had a fleeting visit from a White Line Sphinx Moth on my Jeana Garden Phlox, but it was so fleeting I didn’t get a picture.
The Bee Balm (Monarda) have been abuzz with activity from the bees. Little tiny ones, giant fuzzy ones and just regular honey bees.
So far, no butterflies to speak of in the garden. Hopefully it’s just too early.
Earlier this spring I had the special privilege of visiting with a very ill friend who’s sister created a beautiful porch sanctuary and attracted hummingbirds to her garden a full month before any of the rest of us saw them.
That was fine with the rest of us to not have hummingbirds in our own yards yet because of the joy it brought her. Amazing what peace and comfort a garden can bring in times of great sorrow.
Have you had pollinators in your garden this year? Is your garden a special refuge?
Beautiful, Stephanie.
Thanks!
We are making a big effort to attract bees into the garden these days, and I’m inspired by all the flowers on the porch there, I’d love to try as we head into spring (in Australia)
The porch flowers were really beautiful and really effective in attracting hummingbirds and bees. I would expect that the butterflies will be arriving soon as well. Good luck with your planters and hopefully they will bring in the bees for you.