Create Gardens that Contribute to the Ecosystem

Bahama Senna

April 5, 2019

On March 18, Jaret Daniels spoke at the Preservation Foundation on “The Impact of Butterfly and Pollinator Gardens.” He discussed the important environmental impact we can all have by adding the right (read: native) plants to our landscapes.

Eighty percent of all flowering plants rely on insect pollinators — and these plants ensure food, in the form of seeds and fruits for all of us. Without insect pollinators, agriculture, our second largest industry in Florida (tourism being No. 1), would fail. There has been a steep decline in pollinators in North America over the last four decades; we are seeing massive losses in not just bees but all the pollinators that make up our diverse ecosystems. This insect apocalypse would mean the end of life on Earth as we know it.

Insects are “the little critters that drive the planet.” It is up to us to boost awareness and understand that everything we do can make a difference.

The three requisites to a healthy ecosystem are easy: floral resources, nesting resources and no pesticides. In planting for pollinators, provide a mix of flower shapes and colors, provide flowers throughout the growing season, plant in groupings for horizontal and vertical diversity, and incorporate native species. And chose the right plant for each location. Your gardens will be beautiful, interesting and colorful — and will provide a sustainable ecosystem for birds and pollinators. The bottom line is that every landscape we create is critically important to the overall environment.

— Kim Frisbie

Original article on the Palm Beach Daily News is HERE.