#BackyardHabitat

[harmonyhealinghub]

Cultivating Ecosystem Harmony: The Best Flowers to Plant for Insects and the Environment Shaina Tranquilino April 6, 2024

In a world where biodiversity is increasingly threatened, every little action to support our ecosystems counts. One powerful way to make a positive impact is by planting flowers that not only beautify our surroundings but also serve as vital resources for insects and other creatures. As we delve into the realm of gardening, let's explore some of the best flowers to plant to foster a thriving ecosystem.

Understanding the Importance of Planting for Insects

Insects play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They pollinate plants, decompose organic matter, and serve as a vital food source for various animals. However, habitat loss and pesticide use have led to a decline in insect populations worldwide. By choosing the right flowers for our gardens, we can provide essential resources for these beneficial insects, helping to sustain their populations and support overall biodiversity.

Top Flowers for Supporting Insects and the Environment

Lavender: Loved for its fragrant blooms and drought tolerance, lavender is a favourite among gardeners and insects alike. Bees are particularly drawn to its nectar-rich flowers, making it a valuable plant for pollinator gardens. Additionally, its aromatic foliage repels pests like mosquitoes and moths.

Sunflowers: With their towering stems and vibrant blooms, sunflowers are not only a sight to behold but also a magnet for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and even birds flock to these cheerful flowers to collect nectar and seeds. Opt for native varieties to provide the most benefit to local wildlife.

Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm): As the name suggests, bee balm is a bee favourite, attracting a variety of pollinators with its colourful blooms. This native perennial not only adds beauty to the garden but also provides a valuable food source for bees and butterflies throughout the summer months.

Goldenrod: Often unfairly blamed for causing allergies (it's actually ragweed that's the culprit), goldenrod is a powerhouse of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its bright yellow flowers light up the late summer and early fall landscape while supporting diverse insect populations.

Echinacea (Coneflowers): Coneflowers, with their distinctive spiky centers and daisy-like petals, are not only visually striking but also highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Their sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make them a low-maintenance addition to any garden.

Milkweed: No list of insect-friendly flowers would be complete without milkweed. As the sole host plant for monarch butterfly larvae, milkweed is essential for supporting declining monarch populations. Planting milkweed provides a critical habitat for monarchs to lay their eggs and nourishes caterpillars as they undergo metamorphosis.

Yarrow: Yarrow's flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers are a favourite among pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. This drought-tolerant perennial is easy to grow and adds a delicate beauty to gardens while supporting local insect populations.

Tips for Creating an Insect-Friendly Garden

Choose Native Plants: Native plants are adapted to the local environment and provide the best resources for native insects. Research native species in your area and incorporate them into your garden.

Plant a Variety of Flowers: Different insects have different preferences, so aim for a diverse selection of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season. This ensures a steady supply of nectar and pollen for pollinators.

Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides can harm beneficial insects along with pests. Instead of relying on chemicals, practice natural pest control methods and encourage a healthy balance of predators and prey in your garden.

Provide Shelter and Water: In addition to flowers, consider including other elements in your garden, such as shrubs, trees, and water features, to provide shelter, nesting sites, and sources of hydration for insects.

By planting flowers that support insects and the environment, we can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and create havens of beauty and life in our own backyards. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a small balcony, every patch of green can make a difference in nurturing our precious ecosystems. Let's cultivate harmony with nature, one flower at a time.

#EcoFriendlyGardening #BiodiversityConservation #PollinatorGarden #InsectFriendlyFlowers #NativePlanting #GardenForWildlife #SaveTheBees #ButterflyHabitat #SustainableGardening #PlantForThePlanet #WildlifeHabitat #NaturalPestControl #GrowNative #GreenThumb #FlowerPower #GardenForNature #SupportLocalWildlife #HarmonyWithNature #BackyardHabitat #FlowersForInsects #GardeningTips #EcosystemSupport #InsectSanctuary #Flowers #ConservationGardening #BeesLoveFlowers #Flower #Plants #Garden

[dweiums]

So . . . She's just out here grittin' on me like "I wish you WOULD add more rocks & plants to My pond. Go ahead and add 'dem fish & see what happens." Probably mad 'cause I named her Gorn. I will def 'Kirk-out' if she goes full on bullfrog mode and eats my fish. #naturewoes #tinypond problems #backyardhabitat Meanwhile, the tree frog is back under the rhodededron selling invisible wolf tickets. #Anthromorphism is a thing. https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEJ02Eu0_Q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#naturewoes #tinypond #backyardhabitat #anthromorphism

[backyardgardeningadventures]

June 19:

First monarch of the season 💜

Happy Father’s Day!

#monarchbutterfly #backyardgarden #backyardhabitat #butterflyweed #swampmilkweed #asclepiastuberosa #asclepiusincarnata

[nocobirds]

These are not birds...but I am thrilled that our habitat enhancements have attracted some new residents. For several days we have seen one chipmunk. Today...

There are two...

One on top of the fence, and one on the ground.

#notabird #chipmunk #nocobirds #colorado #wildlife #nativespecies #photography #wildlifephoto #backyardbirds #backyardhabitat #habitate

[theparknextdoorwi]

Kaleidoscopic blooming. . . #backyardhabitat #backyardgarden #urbangardening #sunflowervolunteer #blooming #containergardening #colorful #pollinatorfriemdly (at West Allis, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEGtk7snJ9r/?igshid=1mjf5py8aiy8q

#backyardhabitat #backyardgarden #urbangardening #sunflowervolunteer #blooming #containergardening #colorful #pollinatorfriemdly

[shanshupork]

#flower #flowers #flowergarden #plants #plantlife #botany #backyardhabitat #Summer #nature #naturephotography #outdoorlife #exploring https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EiU3NngNN/?igshid=1wic6jdp8nfa1

#flower #flowers #flowergarden #plants #plantlife #botany #backyardhabitat #summer #nature #naturephotography #outdoorlife #exploring

[bindweedbarrows]

July 17, 2019

Today was a big day for the bee world.

This morning I discovered we have a leaf cutter bee living in the garden! Well, technically, living behind the trim on our back door. Which is in our garden. It’s not ideal, I’ll admit, but after doing research I discovered that she won’t chew through our house like a carpenter bee would. Instead, she will chew through the plants enough to make them look like Swiss cheese. Fortunately, this won’t damage the plants. She also isn’t hell bent on defending her nest— note I’m calling it a nest! Leaf cutter bees are native pollinators that live solitary lives. The males apparently die after mating, a brief but wild two weeks I’m told, and then the females set to their duty of building a beautiful floral taquito and rearing their babes in it. Gotta love the matriarchy of the bee world.

Speaking of matriarchy, I finally did my first honey bee hive exam! Julia helped me through all of it, of course, but she let me do all the hand work. First I lit my smoker using some mulch and the tissues Julia had shoved in her pocket. There were some trials but I eventually got it going. Next, I smoked the bees through the entrance- no more than 5-7 puffs I was told. The idea is to hide their freak-out signals, not choke them out completely.

Immediately upon inspection we discovered that I had the bottom board on upside down like a dingus. This explains why the entrance reducer made no sense. Next, we discovered ants in the poorly set up sugar container I threw in there. No bueno! I may need to consider putting the hive on stilts in an oil tray to prevent more ants from pilfering their hive. The sugar container is getting the boot, as Julia is letting me borrow her prized sugar top feeder until I get one of my own.

When we finally got into the main super, we discovered that the bees were basically doing whatever the fuck they wanted as far as building combs are concerned. They rejected all the frames with plastic foundation as well as the wax frames with crusty bits leftover in them. Instead, they utilized the empty frames that allowed more creative freedom. This meant that their combs were connecting frame-to-frame and made for a messy operation. I was able to examine each frame though, and I was beyond stoked to be able to spot the queen, some drones, and even larvae! I’m gonna be a granny! There were also honey stores, pollen stores, and something Julia kept on referring to as “bread” something? Remind me to ask her about that later— all in all, it was a successful swarm capture. The queen was huge and yellow, we’re assuming an Italian, and obviously has successfully been bred.

My next step is to build up my next super, continue feeding sugar through the winter, and finish acquiring the rest of my tools. I’m also anticipating a second hive, since my fellow beekeeper Rachel has more bees than she knows what to do with right now.

#leaf cutter #leaf cutter bee #leafcutters #bees #apiary #wildlifehabitat #backyardhabitat #backyardpollinator #pollinators #pollination #beekeeping #organic gardening #backyard beekeeping #cottage garden #hobby garden #pollinator garden #eureka california #humboldt county

[gardenwife]

From about 10 feet away, I noticed movement on one of the rocks by our pond. When I got closer, I could see it was two little brown jumping #spiders having a face off. They're only a little less than 1/4 inch around. How cool it is to see the little things like this! I wish my hand had been a little more steady. . . . . . #nature #mywalden #jumpingspider #arachnida #araneae  #salticidae #spider #round1 #backyardhabitat #suburbanwildlife #tinythings #naturevideo #video https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnS6xeF4QZ/?igshid=no6bafhu4hrb

#spiders #nature #mywalden #jumpingspider #arachnida #araneae #salticidae #spider #round1 #backyardhabitat #suburbanwildlife #tinythings #naturevideo #video

[sabridge62]

A tattered beauty 🦋📸😎👍🏼 #butterfly #pollinator #backyardhabitat #butterflygarden #nativeplants #greggsmist #mistflower #bluemist #naturephotography #canon #rebelt6 #flight #wildlifephotography (at San Antonio, Texas)

#mistflower #butterflygarden #bluemist #naturephotography #canon #wildlifephotography #rebelt6 #nativeplants #butterfly #flight #greggsmist #backyardhabitat #pollinator

[brighteyesalive]

We can’t believe our #cherryblossoms2018 survived an entire day of pelting rain and fairly heavy wind! PH said it must be the vitamins it got from #bartletttreeexperts! They also take care of our #hollytrees which are so important to our local #bees. Happy Spring everybun and hoom! Good night! #backyardhabitat #backyardwildlifehabitat

#hollytrees #backyardwildlifehabitat #cherryblossoms2018 #bees #backyardhabitat #bartletttreeexperts

[chiggerfinger]

It's safe to say I am obssessed with this tiny indigo bunting. He's taken up residence in the backyard for the past week, and I hope he never leaves. #birdsofinstagram #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #backyardbirds #backyardhabitat #Ilovehimsomuch

#birdsofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #backyardbirds #backyardhabitat #naturephotography #ilovehimsomuch

[artbyrayleen]

#rose #peablossom #greenbeanblossom #marigold #shastadaisy #rayleenhalldesigns #instagood #instagoodmyphoto #instapic #picoftheday #pnw #westernwashington #camanoisland #backyardhabitat #artbyrayleen #samsung9plusphotography #phonephotography #flowersofinstagram #flowers (at Camano Island, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwnlkUlMpY/?igshid=2x4uosrrmep9

#rose #peablossom #greenbeanblossom #marigold #shastadaisy #rayleenhalldesigns #instagood #instagoodmyphoto #instapic #picoftheday #pnw #westernwashington #camanoisland #backyardhabitat #artbyrayleen #samsung9plusphotography #phonephotography #flowersofinstagram #flowers

[backyardgardeningadventures]

Oct 10:

Took a break from a Fall gardening project to watch the little goldfinches from our deck today. They love black-eyed Susan seeds. These are some seed heads I left up for them by our deck steps.

#femalegoldfinch #blackeyedsusans #backyardhabitat

[tinyurbanwilderness]

Plant native trees & you too can support nature #graytreefrog #backyardhabitat #homegrownnationalpark #midwest #thisisthelife #nature #frogs #nativeplanttok

#frogs #gray tree frog

[brickstory]

Enjoy your Mother's Day today, whatever you do - hopefully at home with some peace and tranquillity. . Shared from @1930s_house . Oh, this backyard...It is currently in the very ugly stages of a metamorphosis. This photo is from last year--before things got real ugly and real out of hand. Lol. Over the winter we took out two massive pecan trees, and we have spent months cleaning up that enormous mess. I have a vision in my head of what it will be, but we are soooo not there yet! If you saw my stories, you saw I was splitting wood yesterday. This weekend we will be working to get the last of the wood split and stacked. Then we need a fence, and weeding, and stump grinding, and planting and landscaping, and....yeah...it's a lot. One step at a time, though. Happy Saturday (while my arms still kinda work)! . #backyardhabitat #flowers #springgarden #springflowers #purple #wildflowers #wildflowermeadow #wildflowergarden #backyard #sunlight #betterhomesandgardens #countryliving #cottage #cottagegarden #countryhome #southernlivingmag #brickstory #capecod #oldhouse #1930shouse #yardwork, #storyteller, #mothersday . Tell us your story... (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/brickstorycom/p/BxXzasDAh2b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13vhvydtnk4po

#backyardhabitat #flowers #springgarden #springflowers #purple #wildflowers #wildflowermeadow #wildflowergarden #backyard #sunlight #betterhomesandgardens #countryliving #cottage #cottagegarden #countryhome #southernlivingmag #brickstory #capecod #oldhouse #1930shouse #yardwork #storyteller #mothersday

[theparknextdoorwi]

A bit of backyard bokeh.

#sonya6400 #lensbabytrio28twist #backyardhabitat #backyardgarden #backyard bokeh #lensbaby #flowersblooming