Planting for Pollinators in Northern Nevada: It's Not Too Late

Pollinator Week may be over, but supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators doesn't have to be a one-week event.

Northern Nevada's growing season still offers opportunities to add flowering plants, shrubs and even vegetables to your garden during summer. The key is choosing plants suited to our high-desert conditions and giving new plantings a little extra attention while they establish.

Add Long-Lasting Perennials

Perennials can form the backbone of a pollinator-friendly garden. They return year after year, and choosing varieties with different bloom times can provide food for pollinators throughout more of the growing season.

A few plants to consider include:

• Blackfoot Daisy – A compact, heat-tolerant plant with cheerful white flowers.
• Gaillardia (Blanketflower) – Colorful, drought-tolerant and well suited to sunny locations.
• Penstemon – Available in many varieties, with tubular flowers that are especially attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators.
• Milkweed – Best known as an important host plant for monarch butterflies. When selecting milkweed, look for species appropriate for our region and growing conditions.

Summer planting tip: Newly planted perennials need more attention during hot weather than established plants. Plant during a cooler part of the day when possible, water thoroughly, monitor soil moisture while roots establish, and use mulch where appropriate to help moderate soil temperatures.

Your Vegetable Garden Can Feed Pollinators, Too

A productive vegetable garden and a pollinator-friendly garden can easily be the same space.

Many summer vegetables produce flowers visited by bees and other beneficial insects. Squash, cucumbers and melons in particular depend heavily on pollination to produce a good crop.

Depending on timing and growing conditions, summer gardens may include:

• Summer squash
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Peppers
• Melons

Because Northern Nevada's growing season and first-frost dates vary by location and elevation, consider the number of days a vegetable needs to mature before planting later in the season.

Think Beyond Flowers: Add Shrubs & Small Trees

Shrubs and flowering trees add structure to the landscape while providing longer-term food, shelter and habitat.

Some options worth exploring for Northern Nevada landscapes include:

• Apache Plume – A beautiful western native shrub known for white flowers followed by distinctive feathery pink seed heads.
• Desert Willow – A heat-loving small tree with showy flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
• Caryopteris (Blue Mist) – Known for its late-summer blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

The right choice will depend on your property's sun exposure, soil, available water, mature plant size and microclimate.

Keep Something Blooming

One of the best ways to support pollinators is to think beyond a single plant or season. A garden containing different plants that flower from spring through fall can provide a more consistent food source throughout the growing season.

You don't need a huge yard, either. A garden bed, patio container or small sunny corner can become valuable pollinator habitat with thoughtful plant choices.

Stop by Bonsai Blue Garden Market if you'd like help choosing plants for your Northern Nevada garden. Our inventory changes with the seasons, and we're happy to help you find options suited to your space and growing conditions.