What Are The Best Plants For A Sustainable Wildlife-attracting Garden?
Summer is here and it is the perfect time to bring your garden to life with beautiful plants that will also attract wildlife. Not only will these plants add color and texture to your garden, but they will also provide a habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Here are some of the best plants to encourage wildlife into your garden this summer.
Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant herb that is loved by bees and butterflies. Its small, nectar-rich flowers attract these creatures and provide them with food. Additionally, lavender’s fragrance is a natural insect repellent, keeping pests away from your garden.
Plant lavender in a sunny spot in your garden and water it regularly. It doesn’t require much maintenance and will bloom throughout the summer, providing a beautiful and fragrant addition to your garden.
Bird-Friendly Plants
Birds are an important part of any ecosystem, helping to control insect and pest populations. By planting bird-friendly plants in your garden, you can attract a variety of birds to your yard.
Some plants that are loved by birds include sunflowers, which provide seeds for birds to eat, and fruit trees such as cherry and apple trees, which provide fruits for birds to snack on. Additionally, planting native plants can attract a variety of birds, as they are adapted to the local environment.
Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush is aptly named, as it attracts butterflies with its large clusters of fragrant flowers. The plant produces nectar-rich flowers that provide a valuable food source for adult butterflies. Additionally, the bush provides a place for butterflies to lay their eggs, as the leaves are an ideal spot for caterpillars to transform into chrysalises.
The butterfly bush is easy to grow and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. It blooms from mid-summer to fall and can grow up to 10 feet tall, providing a focal point for any garden.
Bee Balm
Bee balm is another plant that is loved by bees and other pollinators. The plant produces brightly colored flowers that are high in nectar and pollen, making it an important food source for bees and butterflies.
Additionally, bee balm is easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of conditions. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade and requires regular watering.
Coneflowers
Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are popular garden plants that are beloved by bees and butterflies. Their vividly colored flowers provide a valuable food source, while their seeds attract birds.
Coneflowers are easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of conditions. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade and require regular watering.
Sage
Sage is an herb that is beloved by bees and other pollinators. Its fragrant flowers produce a rich source of nectar that is important for the survival of bees and butterflies.
Sage is easy to grow and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. It requires regular watering but can tolerate some drought and is relatively low maintenance.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many plants you can use to encourage wildlife into your garden this summer. By planting these varieties, you can create a beautiful and vibrant garden while also providing a habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Not only will you add to the diversity of your ecosystem, but you will also be promoting the health of the environment around you.
So go ahead and get planting. Your garden will thank you, and so will the wildlife that visits it.
