“A pollinator is anything that helps carry pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) to the female part of the same or another flower (stigma). The movement of pollen must occur for the plant to become fertilized and produce fruits, seeds, and young plants.” (NPS)

Pollinators are primarily insects, including butterflies, fireflies, bees, and beetles, but also includes other species such as songbirds and bats.

Our local native plants are those that were already living here prior to the arrival of Europeans.

As they co-evolved for millenia to form our local ecosystems, they are best suited to our conditions, and provide the most effective habitat for our local wildlife.

“Keystone natives,” a term coined by Doug Tallamy, are those most crucial to supporting the food web - in this case, by hosting the highest number of native caterpillar species, which are the most significant source of food for birds and other animals.

So a “keystone native plant pollinator garden” is a garden designed to do the most ecological good, by efficiently using keystone and other native plants to support, through a domino effect, our entire local ecosystem.

Doug Tallamy is an entomologist at the University of Delaware, author of numerous books on native plant gardening, and co-founder of the non-profit Homegrown National Park.

Once upon a time abundant “wilderness” did the work of supporting the insect life humans require to survive.

We no longer have enough “wilderness” left to ensure our survival, so now we need to pivot and transform our old-fashioned unproductive yards and public spaces into wildlife habitat compatible with our human habitat.

We are a town filled with nature lovers, but the development of the past twenty five years has rapidly demolished our wild spaces.

This is our chance to restore our natural abundance alongside our high density housing.

Yes, but they are pretty ineffective at doing their job - feeding pollinators.

The native bees we are trying to attract are non-stinging.

However, you are not alone in your concern, and we want you to feel confident and safe while out enjoying the flowers.

For more info on how to reduce your risk of getting stung, check out this pamphlet from Pollinator Partnership: https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/NAPPC.NoFear.brochFINAL.pdf

One of our goals at ReWild Crozet is to develop local best practices for pollinator gardening for those wary of bee stings. We’re learning alongside you!

Hot, shady, small, only in containers on a deck, etc?

Yup! Native plants evolved to thrive in a variety of situations.

Whatever site you are dealing with, we can help you install a garden that will thrive.

We hear you.

That’s why we are doing this together.

When we add all our gardens together, we can get the satisfaction of being part of something much bigger than ourselves.

By doing this as a community, the ecological benefits of our gardens can piggyback off each other.

Yes.

For it to do it’s job of being a pollinator garden, aim for a minimum of 70-75% natives, and include some keystones.

You may also choose the approach of multiple gardens if you have the space. For instance, a garden dedicated to your beloved roses in the backyard and a native pollinator garden out front.