Palm Beach County Is Counting Pollinators. Here's How Your Yard Can Help.

Your backyard can be part of the count.

Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation is participating in the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, encouraging residents to document pollinators throughout the county. Observations can come from parks, natural areas, and even your own backyard.

It is also a great reminder that pollinator habitat doesn't have to be limited to large gardens or conservation areas. A few thoughtfully chosen plants can make your yard more useful to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.

Start with flowering plants

Pollinators need flowers because they provide nectar and, depending on the plant, pollen. Adding flowering plants throughout your landscape gives pollinators more opportunities to find food.

Some Jungle Plants favorites include Firebush, Blue Plumbago, Hibiscus, Sunshine Mimosa, and Crossandra.

Plant more than one type

Different pollinators are attracted to different flower shapes, colors, and sizes. Instead of filling an entire bed with one flowering plant, consider combining several varieties.

A mix of flowering shrubs, groundcovers, and larger plants can create a more diverse landscape.

Think about bloom timing

A landscape that has flowers at different times of year can provide a more consistent food source. When planning new beds, think beyond what is blooming today and choose plants that will give you color and flowers across different seasons.

Let your landscape do more

A pollinator-friendly yard can still look polished and intentional. Flowering plants can be incorporated into hedges, foundation beds, borders, and entryways without sacrificing the overall design of your landscape.

The next time you see a butterfly or bee in your yard, take a closer look. Your landscape may be doing more than you realize.