By Vicki Hickman, VCE Southside Master Gardener
There are an estimated 350,000 types of pollinators in the
world. This pollinator universe is primarily made up of bees, wasps, beetles, moths,
butterflies and some birds, most notably the hummingbird. During the month of
September is the awe-inspiring Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
migration from North America to remote mountains in Central Mexico. The
National Wildlife Foundation’s Monarch migratory map is online: www://butterfly.nwf.org.
This five banded wasp (Myzinum quinquecinctum) on the native Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) shows the relationship between plants and insects. The wasp needs the nectar for food and the plant needs the wasp to move pollen from a male flower part to a female flower part to continue the species.
We rely on pollinators to fertilize our gardens, farmlands
and orchards and without them the entire ecosystem that produces our food supply
would collapse. Protecting, and in some cases bringing individual species back
from the brink of extinction, can start by understanding the symbiotic
relationship between pollinators and what we cultivate or protect in the wild.
There are many different approaches we can take to be a part
of this amazing interdependent world. Among these are planting for the seasonal
needs of pollinators with flowering annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees --
preferably natives -- that provide food sources and/or are host species in
their reproduction cycles. Here in Virginia some suggestions are, but not
limited to:
Trees: Serviceberry, Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Paw Paw, Black
Cherry, Tuliptree Poplar, Maple and Oaks
Shrubs: Buttonbush, Viburnum, Spicebush, Elderberry, Sumac,
Wild Azalea and Mountain Laurel
Perennials: Phlox, Boneset, Asters, Beebalm, Mountain Mint,
Milkweed, Helianthus, Goldenrod, Rudbeckia
Early spring and late fall are the most important seasons
for providing food sources for newly emerging and migrating pollinators. Even
the common dandelion is a critical food source as are early blooming trees like
the Redbud, Black Locust, native Crabapple and Sourwood which emerging bees
seek out.
Planting host plants like the well-known relationship
between Monarch butterflies and milkweed is a rewarding way to help increase
the population of specific pollinators. Recent research has seen Monarchs rebound
because of the renewed attention to the importance of milkweed in their life
cycle; and, it’s important to note that there are many varieties of milkweed if
flower aesthetics are a factor in choosing where and what to plant in your
landscape. In the vegetable garden you can find the Black Swallowtail caterpillar
feeding on dill, parsley and carrots. A local tree, the Paw Paw, known for its
unique fruit, is the host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail. The native,
Ironweed, is the host plant of the Painted Lady butterfly. There are literally
hundreds of other examples.
Here are some links to start your journey into developing a
pollinator-friendly landscape. Virginia Tech/Virginia Cooperative Extension has
a link to developing a Native Friendly Garden: www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-798-native-plants-in-the-landscape-incorporating-native-plants.html.
They also have a link to developing a butterfly garden: www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT-59/HORT-59.html.
In addition, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond published a
caterpillar identification download: www.lewisginter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Caterpillar-ID.pdf.
The Virginia Native Plant Society has a list online of Native Plant Nurseries: https://vnps.org/native-plant-nursery-list/.
Court House Natives, located in Charlotte Court House, is a good local source
for native plants and often participates in the Halifax Farmers Market and are
listed in the above-referenced nursery list.
Always remember to research each plants’ needs regarding
sunlight (full sun means 6-8 hours and no amount of soil amenities will make up
for light requirements), PH and structure of the soil and moisture
requirements.
