GIFT A POLLINATOR GARDEN THIS YEAR.
Save all types of bees and butterflies as well as many other pollinator insects and get an amazing flower garden most of which is also good for you as herbal medicine. For this package we have chosen plants that are pollinator magnates, they attract bees and butterflies in swarms, but also flower at different times ensuring that there is a supply of nectar and pollen for a long period of time rather than just one lump. This ensures that the insects have a good food supply throughout the growing season so they can increase in numbers and stay strong. Some plants are also good food plants for the caterpillars of butterflies thus ensuring more beautiful butterflies. Help save the planet, the insects and your health all at once.
STANDARD PACK.
Its not just for cats! Catnip has amazing flowers that are adored by all kinds of pollinators. Honey bees and butterflies are especially attracted to catnip. Catnip is a short lived perennial that begins flowering in its first year and does not take too long to get to flowering from seed. The great thing about it is that after its flowered it can be cut down almost to the ground and it will regrow and flower again, attracting more pollinators. Depending on your zone this can be repeated many times during the season and can keep producing flowers right up until frost knocks it down for the winter. Leaves can also be snipped off for herbal usage or to keep the cat happy. If only a few plants are grown protect from cats or they will destroy them. Other wildlife does not eat it.
Tall beautiful plant with spikes of blue flowers that bloom for a long period of time. Its a perennial but will flower in the first year from seed although not as prolifically as in following years. Flowering begins in mid spring to early summer and can last for two months or more. If plants are dead headed flowering can be prolonged. Flowers are very desirable to many kinds of butterflies and if grown in groups these are often festooned with the lovely insects. Plants are very aromatic and not eaten by other wildlife. They are also herbal and can be used in teas, salads or just to enjoy the aroma.
These are a must for anyone wanting to attract pollinators. Short plants with groups of white star shaped flowers that are truly bee and butterfly magnates. Tough perennial flowers in first year from seed and comes back every year. Flowers in early to mid fall when most summer plants have finished so these give a much needed boost to insects looking for energy and pollen to store for winter. Flowers are beautiful and the following seed heads are very decorative and can be used in dried flower arrangements. Whole plant is edible including the flowers. Grow in groups they can be very dramatic.
Bees and butterflies of all kinds love this plant. The flowers are always festooned with them. An annual plant flowers early from seed but if cut down after most of the flowers have finished will spring back up and re-flower. Grow in rows or groups and cut one section at a time so there are always flowers. Done this way it will continue to flower until frost kills it. Cut plants can be used herbally, many naturopathic doctors suggest everyone should consume some holy basil every day for good health. Has a lovely aroma and wildlife don't eat it.
A MUST have plant for anyone series about helping pollinators. Fast growing annual that flowers quickly from seed. Can reach 8 feet (2.6m) with lots of small pink flowers scattered across the branches. Bees and butterflies adore this plant especially bumblebees, many of which are now in very low numbers so anything that can be done to encourage them is excellent. Sow in early spring then continue sowing throughout the year, will produce flowers continuously from late spring until hard frost kills plant. Will easily withstand light frosts thus providing nectar and pollen late into the year. Birds love the seeds and these can be collected and used as bird food for winter feeding. Plants will reseed and grow the following year.
Beautiful bright yellow sunflower or daisy like flowers in fall when most summer flowering plants have completed. Likes moist conditions so its ideal for ditches pond sides or rain gardens. Very showy but also great for bees and butterflies. Likes full sun.
BUMPER PACK.
All the above seeds plus:
Lovely lacy ferny foliage in smoky purple and green. Tall flowers stalks of tiny yellow flowers that many pollinators love. This plant is the chosen food of the swallowtail butterfly the stripy caterpillars are very showy in their own right. The plant is very aromatic and totally edible for humans too. Great for digestive health. Have a stomach upset go chew on some fennel leaf.
Native American mint grows in clumps of tall stalks that produce masses of white to light pink flowers in fall when many other plants have stopped flowering. Pollinators love it but wildlife don't eat it due to the strong minty aroma. Can be used in place of other mints in cooking and digestive issues and it does not spread out like other mints staying in clumps. It will self seed however but spread is slower and can easily be removed. Can also take some shade so ideal for garden edges.
Beautiful plant with blue green foliage and masses of bright yellow flowers in mid spring when little else is flowering. Spring bulbs and flowers have finished and summer flowers are still gearing up. Can produce huge masses of flowers which are truly spectacular and draws insects with high nectar content. Flowers in second year from seed. May die after flowering, but many plants can live up to five years. Easy to grow and reseed.
Beautiful perennial plant with tall spiked of white flowers in mid summer. Beloved by many butterflies especially Monarchs. Tough perennial will come back year after year.
Already have these plants? Want something else, something different. Check out all our other herbal seed option.