Pollinators seek ideal flowers | The Press

Not long ago they inspired disgust. Today, most are fashionable. The public has realized that pollinating insects are responsible for much of what ends up on our plate and that much of agricultural production absolutely needs their intervention. But many of these invertebrates are in decline and need a helping hand. Overview of a small winged world and some suggestions for benevolent plants.

Who are they ?

Apart from honeybees, large hairy bumblebees and wasps, especially known for their painful stings, pollinating insects are little known. There are tens of thousands of species, but their pollinating efficiency varies greatly.

The group of bees is a past master in the field due in particular to a hairy body that allows the passage to collect pollen and transport it from one plant to another, thus ensuring their fertilization. There are 350 species of wild bees in Quebec, which play an essential role in the flora of Quebec. Usually solitary, they have very few offspring and are active for a short period. The champion pollinator remains the honeybee, active throughout the summer season, and whose numbers can reach more than 30,000 individuals per hive during the summer.

Flies (syrphid flies and hoverflies, in particular) are among the small creatures that most often visit flowers. They sometimes look like little bees and also play a major role, especially in plants that are not popular with real bees, such as carrots and onions.

Butterflies (136 diurnal species and 3000 nocturnal species) and the huge group of beetles, some of which, it must be said, are better known as insect pests, such as these garden and lawn devouring beetles, also work on plant sustainability.

Hard-to-find native plants

Of the long list of plants conducive to pollinators, native plants are always the most recommended, because they particularly favor the local entomological fauna while also being appreciated by the honeybee. The catch is that the selection of native potted plants is often very limited at garden centers. Most of the time, it is recommended to proceed with a sowing grouping together several species which should bloom at various times of the summer season. Also available on the Internet, these seed kits require good site preparation and possibly tight management, otherwise your beautiful wildflower garden will quickly become a field of dust.

A nursery specializing in the production of native plants for years, Aiglon Indigo, from Lourdes, in the Centre-du-Québec region, favors large volume sales. But she also retails (online only) some interesting potted plants. By going to its site and visiting the agricultural catalog, you will discover a tab that mentions the choices of species attracting pollinators and their availability.

From mountain ash to tiny crocuses

Among trees and shrubs favoring pollinating insects, serviceberry, ornamental cherry, elderberry, viburnum, physocarpus and mountain ash are often the most recommended. The choice of herbaceous plants, meanwhile, is considerable. Still relevant even if it dates back several years, the document Honey plants of Quebec suggests over 200 native or horticultural species, including trees and shrubs, in order of importance. Also, don’t forget that some extremely early bulbous plants often represent a lifeline from April. Crocuses, squills, pushkinias and the splendid erthes are among them. The Daniel-A Garden. Séguin also gives us some suggestions.

The choice of Maxim Larrivee

Director of the Montreal Insectarium, Maxim Larrivee personally cultivates certain plants with the avowed aim of attracting particular insects, in particular a butterfly, the great hairstreak. He also invites the public to visit the new pollinator garden opened last June opposite the Insectarium and designed especially for insects.

To encourage all pollinators, Mr. Larrivee recommends first planting species that will flower in turn from the first days of spring until fall. The objective is to ensure the production of nectar for many insects whose presence varies during the summer season. In order of flowering, he recommends clover and dandelion (some municipalities ask their citizens to avoid grass cutting in May), followed by highbush blueberry, lilac, mint, liatris, then yarrow , monarda, native milkweed, coneflowers, coneflowers and fragrant buddlejas. The fall bouquet will consist of asters, goldenrods and sedums.