What if your garden could help save the world? Pollinators are crucial to our ecosystem, but they’re disappearing fast. Learn how simple planting choices can make a big difference for our pollinator friends.

Pollinators Are Vital to Our Ecosystem

Pollinator is the term used for animals that help plants reproduce.  These small animals play a vitally important role in our ecosystem.  Indiana DNR lists pollinators in the Hoosier State as bees, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, and bats.

While some of these animals and insects may seem like a nuisance, we should thank them for the work they do. According to the Indiana DNR,  more than one out of every three bites of food is thanks to pollinators.

Pollinators are responsible for up to 35 percent of global crop production, which equates to more than one out of three bites of food people eat. The need for pollinators increases as the human population grows, but many pollinator populations are declining from habitat loss, nutritional deficiency, parasites, pathogens, chemical exposure and extreme weather. Insect pollinators play a role in the natural food web as prey for many bird and wildlife species, including rare, threatened and endangered species.

Make Your Home Inviting to Pollinators

Recently, I've found a new hobby, I've started gardening, and I'm really enjoying it! Since I've been focusing more on my garden,  I've been wanting to try and make my yard more inviting to pollinators.  feel like it's one small thing I can do to help the environment (and also selfishly, because I think butterflies are really pretty).

After doing some research, I've found a few plants that are good for inviting pollinators to your yard, but you also need to make sure you have a variety of things to make your yard extra inviting.  Purdue has some great information on how to make your yard inviting for all pollinators, here.

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The Best Plants to Get Butterflies to Your Yard in Indiana

First and foremost, native plants are by far the best ones to plant in your yard, especially when you're hoping to attract pollinators.

Purdue says that the following plants provide nectar to a wide variety of butterfly species in Indiana and would be a great starting point for inviting these insects to your yard.

• Mints (Mentha Spp.)
• Bluemist Spirea (Caryopteris Spp.)
• Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Spp.)
• Milkweeds (Asclepias Spp.)
• Some Thistle Species (be aware of invasive thistle if going this route).

According to Purdue, these plants are a great starting point to making your home inviting to pollinators, especially butterflies.  You can check out more information from Purdue on making your home an oasis for butterflies here.