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The importance of pollinators
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May 20 is World Bee Day, and to mark the occasion we thought it essential to tell you about the importance of pollinators.
Pollinators are mainly insects, but they also include birds and mammals, which we would be hard-pressed to do without. In Quebec, nearly 40% of the food on our plates comes from their work. Without pollinators, many of the plants on which we depend could not survive, and we would soon lose access to food, medicines, wood products and textiles. Pollinators are in decline.
Did you know? Bees are the most important pollinators. Attracted by native yellow, blue and purple flowers, they can visit over 250 flowers in an hour.
The ABCs of pollination
Pollination consists in transferring pollen from one plant to another in order to fertilize the flowers. The result is fruits and seeds, which in turn enable plants to reproduce. When a pollinator comes in contact with a flower, pollen attaches itself to its body and is deposited on the next flower, enabling pollination.
In full seduction mode
The shape, smell and color of flowers are all strategies developed by plants to attract pollinators. For example, the flower of the red trillium emits a fetid odor similar to that of rotting meat. This attracts certain carrion flies.
Encouraging pollinators is easy!
The easiest way is to stop mowing a small area of your lawn. Far from being “weeds”, the wild flowering plants you'll see appearing will give the space a little countryside feel!
You can also create a flower bed with native plants that are well adapted to our climate. You'll be able to choose from a multitude of flower and foliage shapes and colours. By selecting a variety of species with different flowering seasons, you'll have flowers from spring to autumn and will attract a greater number of pollinators. To attract pollinators, plant groups of three to five flowers of the same species. Avoid transplanting plants native from the wild.
For those who would like to incorporate native flowers into their flowerbeds, click here!
Thanks for your help!
