I'm a suburban gardener in New England who's out there all day and I can count how many bees I see during the day on one hand and have three or four fingers left over. Liked and I'm going to recommend this video, if for nothing else, how you cover the entire season with your selection. I've researched and that information is hard to come by. Even Xerces and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center doesn't pull it off this clearly. Great work by the author and thanks for sharing it.
Last fall my asters were the absolute favorite of the pollinators. I could walk past and brush against the plant and a literal swarm of bees and butterflies would temporarily lift off the plants. They were fantastic.
Really enjoyed this video. Going to add some of the plants this spring. I like that you mentioned them in chronological order based on when they bloom!
Awesome video! I would replace the non-native clovers and legumes with native Desmodium and Lespedeza species, the Tick-trefoils and Bush Clovers. They provide valuable wildlife food in the form of large seeds and pollen, and are a host plant for various butterflies and moths. Bird's Foot Trefoil is also highly invasive and will push other plants out.
Basil, great comments on replacing species with more native plants. Pheasants Forever mixes are custom made and determined by location. Those listed in this video are made for areas in Nebraska. Bird's Foot Trefoil is not a problem here in the state so it continues to be used.
I've just finished a season, and found that native american thistles, like Cirsium texanum, are a tremendous draw for pollinators- I counted 4 clearwing moths, and numerous bumblebees and honeybees coming to the flowers. I also had amazing success with Bidens alba- a small flowered aster member-- even in late October, I have all my plants in full bloom- attracting every bee and small butterfly in the area.
African blue basil" one of the two best pollinator attractors on the planet. It's a sterile hybrid of two other Basil plants. Must be started from a cutting.
Depending on your location, one of the best wildflowers I've ever grown is purple tansy 'Phacelia tanacetifolia' . A native annual of the western states, it blooms in early april here in California and bees go nuts for it. Also, my wisteria sinensis is covered with bees in may. The only good thing about global warming is that we haven't had a late bud killing freeze in years.
Phacelia tanacetifolia ( also called Bee's Friend) is an annual. It can be started from seed in early to mid summer to provide blooms for fall. My experience here in South Dakota is that it is Much Loved by Bumble Bees!
Great start! Keep up the good work of providing pollinator habitat! If you ever want to expand, consider contacting Jake Koenig, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist in Wahoo. He can work with you to build a customized mix to meet your goals. www.NebraskaPF.com/Contact.
Hello Henrique! While we do have seeds available on our website, nebraskapf.com/habitat/nebraska-grass-seed-program/, we recommend planting native plants to your area. Planting natives helps your local wildlife more as they are often more adapted/co-evolved with the plant species in your location.
UGA University gave us seeds to plant for pollinators. I got my garden full of these flowers (Bee balm especially) and not one honey bee on it. Same for my beekeeper friends..... come to find out the pollinator scientists didn’t know lab hybrid attract zero bees no matter what plant you have. Started to find old seeds (pre monsanto) and bees are all over them. It is sooo hard to find honey bee loving plants
Honey bees are a lot easier to work with than some other species. Consider working with a local USDA or NRCS office, or contacting a Pheasants Forever team in the state. They can help customize native seed mixes that will satisfy many pollinators, including your honeybees. Pheasants Forever also sells Pollinator Specific seed mixes. Consider checking that out: www.pfhabitatstore.com/
We have all four seasons, but focus on the fall and spring for native flower planting to achieve the highest success rates. Planting in the fall allows for the seeds to go dormant and receive a germination trigger. Planting in Nebraska during the spring can be tricky with late frosts and snows, but can also be successful, especially following a fall chemical spray clearing the way for our future native habitat projects!
I'm a suburban gardener in New England who's out there all day and I can count how many bees I see during the day on one hand and have three or four fingers left over. Liked and I'm going to recommend this video, if for nothing else, how you cover the entire season with your selection. I've researched and that information is hard to come by. Even Xerces and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center doesn't pull it off this clearly. Great work by the author and thanks for sharing it.
Last fall my asters were the absolute favorite of the pollinators. I could walk past and brush against the plant and a literal swarm of bees and butterflies would temporarily lift off the plants. They were fantastic.
Excellent video!
Really enjoyed this video. Going to add some of the plants this spring. I like that you mentioned them in chronological order based on when they bloom!
I quite enjoyed that honey!! Thanks!!
Nice thank YOU for posting.
Great video about pollinators! Thank you for posting. Greetings from Amsterdam!
Thank you. Very helpful
Awesome information! TFS!👍
Great production value and information! Thank you!
Great video! I would like to add Liatris, especially Meadow Blazing Star and Echinacea. They are some of my top pollinator plants in SD.
How can I get the seeds. I'm from Tanzania- East Africa
I lovve you
Awesome video! I would replace the non-native clovers and legumes with native Desmodium and Lespedeza species, the Tick-trefoils and Bush Clovers. They provide valuable wildlife food in the form of large seeds and pollen, and are a host plant for various butterflies and moths. Bird's Foot Trefoil is also highly invasive and will push other plants out.
Basil, great comments on replacing species with more native plants. Pheasants Forever mixes are custom made and determined by location. Those listed in this video are made for areas in Nebraska. Bird's Foot Trefoil is not a problem here in the state so it continues to be used.
Good job!!’
Thank you!
I've just finished a season, and found that native american thistles, like Cirsium texanum, are a tremendous draw for pollinators- I counted 4 clearwing moths, and numerous bumblebees and honeybees coming to the flowers. I also had amazing success with Bidens alba- a small flowered aster member-- even in late October, I have all my plants in full bloom- attracting every bee and small butterfly in the area.
Thank you!
African blue basil" one of the two best pollinator attractors on the planet. It's a sterile hybrid of two other Basil plants. Must be started from a cutting.
Get some wild quinine. This perennial native blooms in September and will draw every pollinator imaginable. It blooms just before adjacent goldenrod.
Depending on your location, one of the best wildflowers I've ever grown is purple tansy 'Phacelia tanacetifolia' . A native annual of the western states, it blooms in early april here in California and bees go nuts for it. Also, my wisteria sinensis is covered with bees in may. The only good thing about global warming is that we haven't had a late bud killing freeze in years.
Phacelia tanacetifolia ( also called Bee's Friend) is an annual. It can be started from seed in early to mid summer to provide blooms for fall. My experience here in South Dakota is that it is Much Loved by Bumble Bees!
Good selection.
On my acreage in Saunders County,,I have a patch of Yarrow,Poppymallow,Columbine, MaxamilionSunflower,and Butterfly Milk weed..
Great start! Keep up the good work of providing pollinator habitat! If you ever want to expand, consider contacting Jake Koenig, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist in Wahoo. He can work with you to build a customized mix to meet your goals. www.NebraskaPF.com/Contact.
Rock star!!!
Hi, could you please mention those plant names in the description?
The description has been updated with the plant names, common and scientific.
Where is country Only 2 Season? :(
Hello. I'm from Brazil, your video is amazing. How can I get some seeds? Are There any website where I can obtain those seeds?
Hello Henrique! While we do have seeds available on our website, nebraskapf.com/habitat/nebraska-grass-seed-program/, we recommend planting native plants to your area. Planting natives helps your local wildlife more as they are often more adapted/co-evolved with the plant species in your location.
Doesn't Pheasants Forever, Hqtrs in Minnesota sell these mixes?
I am trying to grow mustard round the year about 1 hector ...
Does anyone know how I can get the book in this video: wildflowers of central Nebraska
You can order it from our website at nebraskapf.com/product-category/materials/. Enjoy!
UGA University gave us seeds to plant for pollinators. I got my garden full of these flowers (Bee balm especially) and not one honey bee on it. Same for my beekeeper friends..... come to find out the pollinator scientists didn’t know lab hybrid attract zero bees no matter what plant you have. Started to find old seeds (pre monsanto) and bees are all over them. It is sooo hard to find honey bee loving plants
Honey bees are a lot easier to work with than some other species. Consider working with a local USDA or NRCS office, or contacting a Pheasants Forever team in the state. They can help customize native seed mixes that will satisfy many pollinators, including your honeybees. Pheasants Forever also sells Pollinator Specific seed mixes. Consider checking that out: www.pfhabitatstore.com/
1:44 Not a bumble bee its an american carpenter bee. NOT THE SAME!
Where is country Only 2 Season? :(
We have all four seasons, but focus on the fall and spring for native flower planting to achieve the highest success rates. Planting in the fall allows for the seeds to go dormant and receive a germination trigger. Planting in Nebraska during the spring can be tricky with late frosts and snows, but can also be successful, especially following a fall chemical spray clearing the way for our future native habitat projects!