
Help For Early Spring Pollinators
Posted on Feb 27, 2023 | by KK
When thinking of pollinators, images of bees and butterflies flitting and flying through a blossom-laden garden on a lazy summer afternoon come to mind. Bright zinnias and coneflowers, spectacular dahlias and sunflowers, serenely blue salvias and catmint, pastel shades of phlox and cosmos—these are just a few of our favorites that provide seasonal sustenance for these little helpers. But did you know that many pollinators arrive in our gardens much earlier? Many species of wild native bees and pollinating flies emerge from “hibernation” (the correct term in insects is “diapause”) in early spring, some of which only live for a few weeks. Bumblebee queens awaken early, searching out food to create "bee bread" for their larvae. Several species of overwintering butterflies pupate at this time. Honeybees can be active on mild days throughout the winter. These creatures can benefit from our help as well, so we’ve put together some tips to help you help them!