Written by Cathy Ridgeway, Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer
Why pollinators matter
Pollinators such as birds, bees, butterflies, and some small mammals help produce about one out of every three bites of food we eat. By helping plants reproduce, they also support ecosystems and many of the natural resources people depend on.
As pollinators move from plant to plant, they carry pollen that transfers genetic material between flowers. This process enables many flowering plants to produce seeds and fruits, giving us fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other raw materials. Pollination also contributes to healthier ecosystems by helping prevent soil erosion and carbon emissions from warming the Earth.
How flowers attract pollinators
Flowers attract pollinators by offering rewards such as pollen, nectar, and floral oils. They may also provide shelter and gathering places for insects. Because many plants depend on repeat visits, flowers have evolved features that encourage pollinators to return.
Color, shape, and scent all play a role in attracting the right pollinators. For example, ruby-throated hummingbirds are often drawn to orange flowers, while many fly species visit purple blooms. Bees and butterflies tend to favor colors such as pink, white, yellow, and orange.
Flower shape matters too. Lipped flowers create a landing platform for bees, while tubular flowers suit hovering pollinators such as hummingbirds. Scent also helps guide pollinators: some flowers mimic the smell of rotting meat to attract flies, while others release sweet fragrances that appeal to bees. Together, these adaptations show the complexity and beauty of plant-pollinator relationships.
The role of bees and other threatened pollinators
Bees are often considered the most important pollinators because they are especially well adapted to gathering and transporting pollen. They rely on flowers to feed their young, so they actively seek out blossoms. Their fuzzy bodies and branched hairs help female bees collect and carry pollen efficiently.
Today, many pollinators including bees, flies, moths, beetles, wasps, and butterflies—face serious threats. These include habitat loss, limited food sources, disease, pesticide exposure, invasive plants, climate change, and a lack of suitable nesting sites.
How you can help
Wild pollinator populations are declining, but gardeners and communities can take meaningful steps to support them. Native plants are especially valuable because they have co-evolved with local pollinators over thousands of years. They provide the nectar and pollen these species need, serve as host plants for caterpillars and larvae, and offer shelter for overwintering insects.
- Grow a variety of flowers in different shapes, sizes, and colors to attract many kinds of pollinators.
- Plant flowers in sunny groupings so pollinators can find and feed more easily. Grouping the same plants together also helps pollinators conserve energy by reducing the distance they travel between blooms.
- Include host plants such as parsley and dill for black swallowtail caterpillars and milkweed for monarchs.
- Add flowers such as zinnias, cosmos, or sunflowers near vegetable gardens, or grow herbs like basil, oregano, and borage to attract pollinators.
- Choose locally native plants whenever possible, because they provide the nectar, pollen, and nutrients native pollinators need most.
The Value of Protecting Pollinators | Xerces Society
Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative
Holden: June is Pollinator Month
Ohioline: Attracting Pollinators to the Garden
Ohio State University Extension Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer program. As Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, our articles will never endorse specific products or companies. Questions/comments/suggestions/want to find out more/become a PCMGV: 330-296-6432 • OSU PCMGV web • portco.mgv.oh@gmail.com • FB PCMGV • PCMGV Speaker’s Bureau