Gardeners who want to support pollinators do not need a complicated, elaborately planned landscape.

“A container with blooming annuals on a porch, a small bed along a walkway or even a couple of hanging baskets can provide valuable nectar and pollen,” said Eddie Smith, host of Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Southern Gardening. “Plants like lantana, pentas, salvias and even herbs, when they are allowed to bloom, can turn a simple space into a pollinator stopover.”

Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds, bats, moths, wasps and other insects, play an essential role in ecosystems. According to the Xerces Society, they are responsible for transferring pollen on more than 85% of the world’s flowering plants, which provide food for humans and wildlife.

That statistic may sound overwhelming, but gardeners can make a significant impact in a small space by following a few simple guidelines.

Smith shared five tips for those interested in increasing pollinator-friendly plantings:

■ Focus on continuous blooms. Try to have something flowering from early spring through fall. Pollinators need reliable food sources throughout the seasons, not just during one peak period.

■ Plant in groups or clusters instead of scattering individual plants. A mass of color is easier for pollinators to spot and more efficient for them to forage.

■ Limit or avoid pesticides, especially insecticides. Even products labeled natural can harm beneficial insects. A few holes in leaves are often a sign a garden is functioning as it should.

■ Provide a water source. This can be as simple as a shallow dish with pebbles for landing spots. Pollinators need water like other wildlife.

■ Include a variety of flower shapes and sizes. Different pollinators have different feeding habits, so diversity helps attract a wider range.

Jeff Wilson, an Extension horticulture specialist, said it is important to research plants before purchasing or planting them, especially for those new to gardening.

“Read our Extension publications and other materials from trusted sources on which pollinator plants are best for your area,” he said. “Also learn which ones are best as a pollen source versus shelter and habitat. Then decide which pollinators you want to attract and place plants in the proper location based on sunlight requirements.”

Gardeners who want to support native pollinators may need to include native plants, which evolved alongside these species and provide compatible nutrition and habitat, Smith said. However, nonnative plants can also benefit pollinators.

“Many nonnative plants, especially those that are not invasive, produce abundant nectar and pollen and are heavily visited by pollinators,” he said. “In Southern gardens, plants like zinnias, cosmos and certain salvias are excellent examples. They can help fill bloom gaps and extend the feeding season.”

“The best approach is a balanced mix,” Smith added. “Use native plants as your foundation, then complement them with well-behaved, pollinator-friendly nonnatives. This creates a diverse, resilient landscape that supports a wide range of pollinators over a longer period.”

Another tip for supporting pollinators: Leave the landscape a little messy.

“A perfect-looking yard can actually be less beneficial,” Smith said. “A landscape that’s overly tidy with no leaf litter, no spent blooms and no stems left standing removes habitat and food sources.

“Many native bees nest in the ground or in hollow stems, and butterflies often rely on specific host plants that may look a little chewed up,” he added. “Supporting pollinators sometimes means embracing a bit of natural messiness.”

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