Pollinator Gardens

GREC encourages Glen Rock residents to consider planting flowering plants that attract pollinator populations in their yards.

Please visit the Demonstration Garden planted in front of the main entrance to Borough Hall by horticulturist Mrs. Elaine Silverstein.

What is a pollinator?

Pollinators are animals that help flowering plants reproduce by moving pollen from the male part of the plant (anther) to the female part (stigma) of the same species. Pollinators include many bees and butterflies, some moths, beetles, flies, and birds and a few bats.

Why are pollinators important?

Many plants cannot reproduce without the help of pollinators. The plants they pollinate provide food for humans and wildlife, such as migratory birds. Successful pollination produces seeds and fruits, examples include sunflowers seeds, almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, and apples. Pollinators are an integral component of natural ecosystems and agriculture.

Pollinators are crucial to 2/3 of the agricultural crops species worldwide (!) and to biodiversity.

Pollinators are sensitive to pesticides

Avoid/limit the use of pesticides: pesticides can kill more than the target pest. Some pesticide residues can kill pollinators for several days after the pesticide is applied. This is especially true for butterfly caterpillars that eat leaves and leafcutter bees that use leaves to build nests.

Pollinators need two essential components in their habitat:

1. flowers from which to gather nectar and pollen
2. places to nest (shrubs, bushes…)

A list of plants particularly good for attracting pollinators is found in the website and documents here attached. Native plants are the best choices because plants and their pollinators have evolved together over thousands of years, and because they are less sensitive to drought etc.

Threats to Pollinators: https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/PollinatorPages/Threats.html

Role of Pollinators: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/nj/technical/ecoscience/bio/?cid=nrcs141p2_018655. 

Pollinator Gardens: http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/Pollinators.html

Common Native Pollinators

Following is a list of a few of the common types of native pollinators you are likely to see in this area:

Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden

Glen Rock Pollinator Garden

Pollinator Victory Garden - Rutgers References