By Terry Foxx, PEEC Co-Founder
They came again! No, not a bee or butterfly or hummingbird–my daughters. They came again this year to help me set up my pollinator garden, just like they did last year. What a beautiful Mother’s Day gift, two years in a row! Couldn’t be better. My youngest daughter, Kerri, admonished me for removing any plants or debris. “That’s where the insects are,” she said, so I left the garden as is. Every plant and every overgrown weed. I patiently waited as it became ugly, and now it’s beautiful and full of life. Things are blooming and growing! My daughters are miracle workers, and you can be too!
You might be wondering, “What is a pollinator? Why are they so important? How much space do I need to help them?”
I’ll answer your questions! Pollinators are insects (bees and butterflies), birds (hummingbirds and other birds), and sometimes mammals that visit various plants. Science determines which flowers are the most necessary for the ecosystem to thrive.
Why are pollinators important? 75% percent of fruits, vegetables, and nuts are pollinated. Nearly 80% of all flowering plants are pollinated. Do you like veggies? Without pollinators, they’re doomed. Sadly, pollinating insects are disappearing from our planet. The population of insects has plummeted year after year. The human population has altered over 75% of the landmass. Habitat change is responsible for the loss of insects, such as bees and butterflies. Urban sprawl, the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, is also significant.
How much space is necessary for a pollinator garden? The fortunate answer is: not much. It can be your patio, balcony, or oodles of land. Bees, butterflies, and birds, as well as other pollinators, roam over a large area in search of food and water. One container with the right plant, or many acres of land, are both important to conservation of these essential organisms.
My husband and I sit out on our patio and enjoy our pollinator garden regularly. “There’s a hummingbird, or a white-winged dove!” he’ll exclaim. Even the scientist in him is learning from the effort my daughters gave to our pollinator garden. It is full of life, and I love sitting quietly on my patio!
This story is dedicated to my wonderful daughters and the pollinator garden they knew I would enjoy! Thank you for my pollinator garden, Erin and Kerri.
Photo: Female Tarantula Hawk by Marc Bailey
This article was featured in the Summer 2025 Edition of Nature Notes, PEEC’s quarterly newsletter mailed to members. PEEC activities and events are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.