You don’t need a lot of space to start a pollinator garden. Even a few containers of flowers can attract hungry bees and butterflies. To plan a pollinator garden, remember the basic needs of wildlife — food, water, shelter, and places to rear young.

Good plants for pollinators include: aromatic herbs (coriander, catnip, mint, parsley, lavender), annuals (sunflower, aster, dahlia, marigold, zinnia, cosmos, salvia), and perennials (bee balm, Shasta daisy, iris, coneflower, lobelia, delphinium, lupin, bachelor button). Try to plan a combination that ensures something is blooming at all times during the growing season..

Do not use pesticides and herbicides. Even organic pesticides can be harmful to pollinators as well as pests. Herbicides may wipe out key plants (weeds) that are important food plants for pollinators. If certain plants are continually plagued with pests, replace them with less susceptible species or varieties.

Flowers with bright colours, especially blue, yellow, red, and violet are attractive to pollinators, and during the night, flowers’ fragrances are alluring. It is best to pick plants that are native to your region. They are more able to provide for pollinator’s needs than are non-native plants.
Keep in mind while planning a garden that gardens with a high density of diverse plants are most attractive to pollinators.

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden at your home is a fairly simple task to undertake. However, it is an action that has the potential to make a larger impact on the environment, and most importantly, a positive impact in the lives of essential plant pollinators.

Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS) will be planting a pollinator garden as its part of our Centennial Park and Fountain Restoration. DHS is very excited about this project and all of its community partners. World renowned artist Christian Corbet will be refurbishing the friezes of Centennial Park Fountain, May 10-24. These friezes, created in 1967 by his mentor Dr. Elizabeth Holbrook, have fallen into a state of disrepair. The public will have two rare opportunities to hear Corbet speak. On May 9 at 7pm, the Dunnville Christian School hosts Mr. Corbet; a second presentation will take place at the Optimist Hall on May 18 at 7pm, hosted by DHS.  Both presentations are free (by donation).  All funds donated go towards the restoration work of the fountain.  More information about Christian Corbet can be seen at his website www.christiancorbet.com. Visit Christian Corbet facebook page and Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook Sculpture facebook page.

If you have questions or for more information call Debbie Thomas, Dunnvillle Horticulture Society/Garden Club President (905) 774-3064 or Deb Zynomirski, VP (416) 556-9337 or vist our website at www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org and follow us on Facebook!
-submitted by Sandi Marr, Secretary DHS