Selecting

Plants

for

Pollinators

A Guide for Gardeners, Farmers, and Land Managers In the

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands

Bridgewater Table of CONTENTS

Why Support Pollinators? 4

Getting Started 5

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 6

Meet the Pollinators 8

Plant Traits 10

Developing Plantings 12

Farms 13

Public Lands 14

Home Landscapes 15

Plants That Attract Pollinators 16

Habitat hints 20

Habitat and Nesting requirements 21

This is one of several guides for S.H.A.R.E. 22 different regions of North America. We welcome your feedback to assist us in making the future guides Checklist 22 useful. Please contact us at

[email protected] Resources and Feedback 23

2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Selecting Plants for Pollinators

A Guide for

Gardeners, Farmers,

and Land Managers

In the

Southwest

Nova Scotia

Uplands

Bridgewater

A NAPPC and Pollinator Partnership Canada™ Publication

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 3 Why support pollinators?

In their 1996 book, The Forgotten Pollinators, Buchmann and “Flowering plants Nabhan estimated that pollinators are needed for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. Each of us depends on these industrious pollinators in a practical way to provide us across wild, with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the intricate web that supports the biological diversity in natural ecosystems that helps sustain our quality of life. farmed and even

Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set and quality, and increase fruit size. In farming situations this increases urban landscapes production per hectare. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife food sources increase. Fruits such as blueberries and apples, in addition to vegetables and field crops such as alfalfa, are grown in Nova Scotia and actually feed the rely on native bees and honey bees for pollination. Honey bees pollinate more than $4 billion worth of crops in Canada each year. terrestrial world, Unfortunately, the numbers of many native pollinators are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss, disease, climate change, and the excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides. As a result research and conservation and pollinators actions supporting native pollinators are increasingly active. Honey bee colony losses have significantly impacted beekeepers. Parasites, disease, are the great pesticide use, insufficient nutrition, and transportation practices all impact honey bee health, and this in turn can impact the commercial pollination services honey bees provide. The efforts to understand the threats to connectors who commercial bees should help us understand other pollinators and their roles in the environment as well. enable this giant It is imperative that we take immediate steps to help pollinator populations thrive. The beauty of the situation is that by supporting pollinators’ need for habitat, we support our own needs for food and support diversity in the food system to natural world.

Thank you for taking time to consult this guide. By adding plants to your work for all who landscape that provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout their active seasons and by adopting pollinator friendly landscape practices, you can make a difference to both the pollinators and the people that rely on them. eat... Including us.”

Val Dolcini – Roger Lang, Chairman, President and CEO Pollinator Partnership Pollinator Partnership

4 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Getting Started

This regional guide is just Framework Report. The National Long before there were homes one in a series of plant selection Ecological Framework for Canada and farms in the Southwest Nova tools designed to provide you with is a system created as a management Scotia Uplands, natural vegetation information on how to plant local tool and is used to predict responses provided essential opportunities native plants for pollinators. Each to land management practices for wildlife, including pollinators. of us can have a positive impact throughout large areas. This guide Farmers, land managers, and by providing the essential habitat addresses pollinator-friendly land gardeners in this region have requirements for pollinators management practices in what is a wide palette of plants to use including food, water, shelter, and known as the Southwest Nova in the landscape. In choosing enough space to raise their young. Scotia Uplands. plants, aim to create habitat for pollinators that allow adequate food, Pollinators travel through the The seasonal cycle of sun and shade shelter, and water sources. Most landscape without regard to within the forests has created a pollinators have very small home property ownership or provincial changing pattern of bloom time for ranges. You will make a difference boundaries. We’ve chosen to use food plants and shelter needs for by understanding the vegetation the ecoregional classification system foraging, nesting, and migrating patterns on the farm, forest, or and to underscore the connections pollinators. Farms and residential neighbour’s yard adjacent to your between climate and vegetation areas provide a diverse range of soil property. With this information in types that affect the diversity of types in both sunny and shady areas. hand, your planting choices will pollinators in the environment. With this diversity of locations many better support the pollinators’ need different species of plants may be for food and shelter as they move The Canadian ecoregions are used to improve pollinator habitats through the landscape. based on the National Ecological where they are lacking.

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 5 Understanding the Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands

n The Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands ecoregion is part of the larger Atlantic Maritime Ecozone, and covers most of the southwestern portion of mainland Nova Scotia. Being in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, this ecoregion is one of the most humid of the Maritime provinces and consists of warm summers and mild winters. Stony, discontinuous veneers and blankets of glacial till, drumlin fields, wetlands, and rockland barrens cover this ecoregion, and most of the land is characterized by forestry and some agricultural use.

n Not sure about which region you live or work in? Go to www. pollinator.org/guides and click on Ecoregion Locator for help.

n 15 420 square kilometres of Nova Scotia.

n Mean annual precipitation ranges from 1200-1400mm.

n Mean annual temperature is approximately 6.5 °C, with a mean summer temperature of 14.5 °C, and a mean winter temperature of -1.5 °C.

Characteristics

n Large portion of the ecoregion covered by mixed-wood forests, bogs, fens and swamps.

n Provides habitat for diverse wildlife including porcupines, fishers, red foxes, coyotes, beavers, and moose.

n Lakes and rivers are abundant and landform consists of broad sloping plains.

6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators The Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands includes: Bridgewater

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 7 Meet the Pollinators Who are the Sweat bees (family Halictidae) are medium to small-sized, slender bees pollinators? that commonly nest underground. Bees Various species are solitary while Bees are the best documented others form loose colonies, nesting pollinators in the natural and side-by-side. Other common solitary agricultural landscapes of the bees include mining bees (Andrena ecoregion. A wide range of wild spp.), which nest underground and and crop plants, including plants in are common in the spring; leaf- the Aster and Rose Families, canola, cutter bees (Megachile spp.), which specialty crops, and some forage prefer dead trees or branches for crops benefit from bee pollinators. their nest sites; and mason bees (Osmia spp.), which utilize cavities Most of us are familiar with the they find in stems and dead wood colonies of honey bees that have that they fill with mud. been the workhorses of agricultural pollination for years in Canada. Butterfl ies They were imported from Europe prefer open and sunny almost 400 years ago and continue areas such as meadows and along to be managed for honey production woodland edges that provide bright Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a and pollination services. There are flowers, water sources, and specific summer species in the Southwest over 800 species of native ground host plants for their caterpillars. Nova Scotia Uplands. and twig nesting bees in Canada. Gardeners have been attracting Most of these bee species live a butterflies to their gardens for some solitary life; a minority are social and time. To encourage butterflies place form colonies or nest in aggregations. flowering plants where they have Native bees visit and pollinate full sun and are protected from the many crops; in many cases they wind. They usually look for flowers are better at transferring pollen that provide a good landing platform. than honey bees. Our native bees Butterflies need open areas (e.g., can be encouraged to do more to bare earth, large stones) where support agricultural endeavours if they can bask, and moist soil from their needs for nesting habitat are which they wick needed minerals. Butterflies eat rotten fruit and even Canadian Tiger Swallowtail met and if suitable sources of nectar, pollen, and water are provided. Bees dung, so don’t clean up all the messes come in a variety of body shapes in your garden! By providing a safe and sizes, and even have tongues place to eat and nest, gardeners can of different lengths. Native bees also support the pollination role that visit the widest range of flowers and butterflies play in the landscape. crops of any pollinator group. In Nova Scotia, approximately seventy three species have Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) form been regularly observed. In the small colonies, usually underground Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands, it is making use of old rodent burrows or common to see the Canadian Tiger dense thatches. They are generalists, Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis), the feeding on a wide range of plant White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis), types from May to September the Silver-Bordered Fritillary and are important pollinators of (Boloria selene), and the Northern tomatoes and blueberries. Crescent ( cocyta).

8 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Moths transport pollen from flower to Species at Risk Moths are most easily distinguished flower. Flies primarily pollinate Species at Risk include endangered from butterflies by their antennae. small flowers that bloom under species, such as the Gypsy Cuckoo Butterfly antennae are simple with a shade and in seasonally moist Bumble Bee (Bombus bohemicus) swelling at the end. Moth antennae habitats, but are also economically and the Monarch butterfly (Danaus differ from simple to featherlike, important as pollinators for a range plexippus), as well as threatened and but never have a swelling at the tip. of annual and bulbous ornamental special concern species such as the Butterfly bodies are not very hairy, flowers. Plants pollinated by flies Sable Island sweat bee (Lasioglossum while moth bodies are quite hairy include the American pawpaw sablense). Some pollinator species and much more stout. In addition, (Asimina triloba), skunk cabbage have already been extirpated from butterflies typically are active (Symplocarpus foetidus), goldenrod Nova Scotia and other regions during the day; moths at night. They (Solidago spp.), and members of the of Canada and the Macropis are attracted to flowers that are carrot family. Cuckoo bee (Epeoloides pilosulus) is strongly sweet smelling, open in late Birds endangered and on the verge of afternoon or night, and are typically being extirpated. Other species such Hummingbirds are the primary white or pale coloured. as the Yellow-Banded Bumble Bee birds that play a role in pollination (Bombus terricola) were once common in North America. Their long beaks Beetles across much of Canada, but are and tongues draw nectar from There are more than 9000 species now rare in the Maritimes and other tubular flowers. Pollen is carried of beetles in Canada and many of eastern parts of its range. Because on both their beaks and feathers. them can be found easily by looking habitat loss is one of the largest Regions closer to the tropics, with inside flower heads. Gardeners have threats facing many pollinators, the warmer climates, boast the largest yet to intentionally draw beetles very best thing you can do is plant number of hummingbird species to their gardens, possibly because for them. beetle watching isn’t as inspiring and the greatest number of native plants to support their need for food. as butterfly or bird watching. Yet Monarch Butterfly beetles do play a role in pollination. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird Some have a bad reputation because (Archilochus colubris) is a common • Monarch butterflies have a lifespan they can leave a mess behind, summer species in the Southwest of about 2-6 weeks as an adult damaging plant parts as they eat Nova Scotia Uplands. butterfly. Hummingbirds can see the colour pollen. Beetle pollinated plants tend • Monarch butterflies migrate red; bees cannot. Many tropical to be large, strong scented flowers approximately 5000 km during flowers grown as annuals, along and have the anthers and stigma their fall migration to Mexico. exposed. Beetles are known to with native woodland edge plants, pollinate magnolia, paw paws, and attract hummingbirds. • Monarch caterpillars feed yellow pond lilies. exclusively on milkweed leaves; Bats as an adult butterfly they feed Flies Though bat species in Canada are on a variety of flowering plants It may be hard to imagine why not pollinators, bats in the south including milkweed plants. one would want to attract flies western United States and Mexico • Declines of wild milkweed to the garden. However, flies are are important pollinators of agave populations and suitable habitat one of the most diverse group and cactus. The head shape and for monarch butterflies to lay eggs of pollinators. They include long tongues of nectar bats allows and forage on are reasons why this colourful flower flies and hover them to delve into flower blossoms species has become endangered. flies (Syrphidae), active bee flies and extract both pollen and nectar; (Bombyliidae), and tiny midges pollen covers their hairy bodies and • Listed as endangered under the that visit many plant species. Like is transfer as they move from plant Nova Scotia Endangered Species bees, flies are hairy and can easily to plant. Act.

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 9 Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Pollinator Plant Which Flowers Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind Do the Trait Pollinators Dull green, brown, or prefer? Bright white, Scarlet, Pale and dull to dark Dull white or Bright, including Pale and dull red, colourless; yellow, orange, red brown or purple; flecked Not all pollinators are found Colour green red and purple purple, pink or white petals absent in each province, and some are blue, or UV or white with translucent patches or reduced more important in different parts of Canada. Use this page as a resource to understand the plants and pollinators where you live. Nectar Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent Guides Plants can be grouped together based on the similar characteristics None to Fresh, mild, Strong sweet; of their flowers. These floral strongly fruity None Faint but fresh Putrid None characteristics can be useful to Odour pleasant emitted at night predict the type of pollination or fetid method or animal that is most effective for that group of plants. Sometimes Ample; deeply This association between floral Usually present present; Ample; deeply hidden Usually absent Ample; deeply hidden None characteristics and pollination Nectar hidden method is called a pollination not hidden syndrome. Limited; often The interactions of animal Abundant; small, sticky Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited pollinators and plants have Pollen smooth, and not sticky influenced the evolution of both and scented groups of organisms. A mutualistic relationship between the pollinator Shallow; Large funnel and the plant species helps the Narrow tube with spur; pollinator find necessary pollen and have landing Large bowl-like, like; cups, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and Flower wide nectar sources and helps the plant platform; Magnolia strong perch complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted reproduce by ensuring that pollen is Shape landing pad carried from one flower to another. tubular support

This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml

10 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Pollinator Plant Trait Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind

Dull green, brown, or Bright white, Scarlet, Pale and dull to dark Dull white or Bright, including Pale and dull red, colourless; yellow, orange, red brown or purple; flecked Colour green red and purple purple, pink or white petals absent blue, or UV or white with translucent patches or reduced

Nectar Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent Guides None to Fresh, mild, Strong sweet; strongly fruity None Faint but fresh Putrid None Odour pleasant emitted at night or fetid

Sometimes Ample; deeply Usually present present; Ample; deeply hidden Usually absent Ample; deeply hidden None Nectar hidden not hidden

Limited; often Abundant; small, sticky Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited Pollen smooth, and not sticky and scented

Shallow; Large funnel Narrow tube with spur; have landing Large bowl-like, like; cups, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and Flower wide platform; Magnolia strong perch complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted Shape landing pad tubular support

This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 11 Developing landscape plantings that provide pollinator habitat

Whether you are a farmer of chives, parsley and lavender are can move safely through the many hectares, land manager of a just a few herbs that can be planted. landscape protected from predators. large tract of land, or a gardener Old fashioned zinnias, cosmos, and • Include plants that are needed with a small lot, you can increase the single sunflowers support bees and by butterflies during their larval number of pollinators in your area by butterflies. Non-native crops, herbs, development. making conscious choices to include and ornamental flowers should only plants that provide essential habitat be planted in gardens. Water: for bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, • Recognize weeds that might be a A clean, reliable source of water is hummingbirds, and other pollinators. good source of food. For example, essential to pollinators. dandelions provide nectar in the • Natural and human-made water Food: early spring before other flowers features such as running water, Flowers provide nectar (high in open. Milkweed is a host for the pools, ponds, and small containers sugar and necessary amino acids) Monarch butterfly. of water provide drinking and and pollen (high in protein) to • Learn and utilize Integrated Pest bathing opportunities for pollinators. pollinators. Fermenting fallen fruits Management (IPM) practices to • Ensure the water sources have also provide food for bees, beetles, address pest concerns. Minimize or a shallow or sloping side so the and butterflies. eliminate the use of pesticides. pollinators can easily approach the Specific plants, known as host water without drowning. plants, are eaten by the larvae of Shelter: Your current landscape probably pollinators such as butterflies. Pollinators need protection from includes many of these elements. • Plant in groups to increase severe weather and from predators as Observe wildlife activity in your farm pollination efficiency. If a pollinator well as sites for nesting and roosting. fields, woodlands, and gardens to can visit the same type of flower • Incorporate different canopy determine what actions you can take over and over, it doesn’t have to layers in the landscape by planting to encourage other pollinators to feed relearn how to enter the flower trees, shrubs, and different-sized and nest. Evaluate the placement of and can transfer pollen to the same perennial plants. individual plants and water sources species, instead of squandering the • Leave dead snags for nesting sites and use your knowledge of specific pollen on unreceptive flowers. of bees, and other dead plants and pollinator needs to guide your choice • Plant with bloom season in mind, leaf litter for shelter. and placement of additional plants providing food from early spring to • Avoid applying thick layers of and other habitat elements. Minor late fall. (see Bloom Periods pp.16-19) mulch that are hard to dig through. changes by many individuals can • Plant a diversity of plants to • Build bee boxes to encourage positively impact the pollinator support a variety of pollinators. solitary, non-aggressive bees to nest populations in your area. Watch Flowers of different colour, on your property. for - and enjoy - the changes in your fragrance, and season of bloom • Ground nesting bees are also landscape! on plants of different heights will attracted to lawns and short grass • CAUTION LAND MANAGERS: attract different pollinator species areas, especially if there is a south Remember that many insecticides and provide pollen and nectar facing slope. are toxic to pollinators. Extreme throughout the seasons. • Leave some areas of soil uncovered caution is warranted if you choose • Many herbs and annuals, although to provide ground nesting to use any insecticide. Strategically not native, are very good for easy access to underground tunnels. apply insecticides only for pollinators. Mint, oregano, garlic, • Group plantings so that pollinators problematic target species.

12 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Farms

Fruits such as blueberries and • Consider using Integrated Pest • Plant unused areas of the farm apples, and various vegetables Management (IPM) strategies to with temporary cover crops that are some of the food crops grown control pests. Use insecticides that can provide food or with a variety in Nova Scotia that benefit from cause the least harm to non-target of trees, shrubs, and flowers that native bee populations that boost organisms and only use when pests provide both food and shelter for pollination efficiency. Incorporate reach economic thresholds. pollinators. different plants throughout the • Carefully consider the use of • Check with local not-for-profit farm that provide food for native herbicides. Some weeds can provide organizations, or government populations when targeted crops needed food for pollinators. agencies to see what technical are not in flower. • Minimize tillage to protect ground support might be available to assist Farmers have many opportunities nesting pollinators. you in your effort to provide nectar, to incorporate pollinator-friendly • Consider creating designated pollen, and larval food sources for land management practices on their permanently untilled areas for pollinators on your farm. land which will benefit the farmer ground nesting bees along internal in achieving his or her production farm laneways. goals: • Ensure water sources are scattered • Minimize the use of insecticides throughout the landscape. to reduce the impact on native • Choose a variety of native plants to pollinators. Spray when bees act as windbreaks, riparian buffers, aren’t active (after dark or just and field borders throughout the before dawn) and choose targeted farm. ingredients. Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 13 Public Lands

Public lands are maintained for understand the importance of specific reasons ranging from high pollinators in the environment impact recreation to conservation. through signs, brochures, and public In the Canadian Maritimes, forests programs. and grasslands have been cut and In an effort to increase populations altered to allow for roads, energy of pollinators the land manager can: infrastructure, buildings, open lawn • Inventory and become areas, boat ramps, and vistas. These knowledgeable of local pollinators. other lands can provide benefits to • Provide connectivity between pollinator when managed correctly. vegetation areas by creating Pollinators are encouraged by timed corridors of perennials, shrubs, and mowing, opening tree canopies, and trees that provide pollinators shelter planting of native flowers. Less and food as they move through the disturbed natural areas can be landscape. augmented with plantings of native • Maintain a minimum of lawn areas plant species. Existing plantings that support recreational needs. around buildings and parking areas • Restrict the use of insecticides and should be evaluated to determine herbicides. if pollinator-friendly plants can • Provide water sources in large be substituted or added to attract open areas. and support pollinators. Public • Maintain natural meadows and land managers have a unique openings that provide habitats for opportunity to use their plantings sun-loving wildflowers and grasses. as an education tool to help others • Remove invasive species.

14 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Home Landscapes

Gardeners have a wide array of The scale of your plantings will vary plants to use in their gardens. but it is important to remember Native plants, plants introduced that you are trying to provide from years of plant exploration connectivity to the landscape from around the world, and plants adjacent to your property. Don’t developed by professional and just look within your property amateur breeders can be found in boundaries. If your neighbour’s garden centres, in catalogs, and on property provides an essential web-sites. Use your knowledge of element, such as water, which can pollinator needs and the plant list in be utilized by pollinators visiting this document to guide your choices. your land, you may be able to • Choose a variety of plants that devote more space to habitat will provide nectar and pollen elements that are missing nearby. throughout the growing season. It is best to use native plants which • Resist the urge to have a totally have evolved to support the needs manicured lawn and garden. Leave of specific native pollinators. Some bare ground for ground nesting pollinators, however, are generalists bees. Leave areas of dead wood and and visit many different plants, both leaf litter for other insects. native and non-native. Be sure that • Find local resources to help you any non-native plants you choose in your efforts. Contact your local to use are not invasive. Remember garden club or conservation groups. that specialized cultivars sometimes Visit your regional botanic gardens aren’t used by pollinators. Flowers and arboreta. that have been drastically altered, such as cultivars with double petals or completely different colour than the wild species, often prevent pollinators from finding and feeding on the flowers. In addition, some cultivars don’t contain the same nectar and pollen resources that attract pollinators to the wild types.

• CAUTION: Take time to evaluate the source of your plant material. You want to ensure you get plants that are healthy and correctly identified. Your local garden club can help you make informed decisions when searching for plants.

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 15 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands

The following chart lists plants that attract pollinators. It is not exhaustive, but provides guidance on where to start. Annuals, herbs, weeds, and cover crops provide food and shelter for pollinators, too.

Common Bloom Soil Species Name Height Colour Period Sun Moisture Soil Texture Pollinators Shrubs/Trees

Acer rubrum red maple 12-25m red, pink April - May sun to shade moist to wet loam bees, butterflies

yellow, green/ normal to Acer saccharum sugar maple 20-35m April - May sun to shade sand, loam bees, butterflies brown moist less than partial shade bees, flies, Actaea rubra red baneberry white/cream May - July moist clay 1m to shade beetles Alnus incana ssp. purple/brown, sun to partial speckled alder 3-4m April - May moist to wet clay, loam bees Rugosa green shade Amelanchier running service sun to partial 1.5m white May-June moist to dry sandy, stony bees, flies stolonifera berry sun less than sun to partial excessively Arctostaphylos uva-ursi kinnikinnick purple-blue May-June sand bees 1m sun drained white/cream, sun to partial normal to clay, sand, Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberry 1-3m May - June bees pink shade moist loam Chamaedaphne less than sun to partial bees, flies, leatherleaf white May-July wet peat calyculata 1m sun butterflies less than white/cream, May - sun to partial normal to clay, sand, Cornus canadensis bunchberry bees, flies 1m green/brown September shade moist loam sun to part clay, sand, Crataeguschrysocarpa native hawthorns 3.5-11m white May - June dry to moist bees, butterflies shade loam Crataegus sun to part clay, sand, native hawthorns 3.5-11m white May - June dry to moist bees, butterflies macrosperma shade loam sun to part clay, sand, Crataegus scabrida native hawthorns 3.5-11m white May - June dry to moist bees, butterflies shade loam calcareous, sun to partial bees, flies, Dasiphora fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil up to 1m Yellow May-July dry to wet savannahs, sun butterflies meadows, bog sandy and Diervilla lonicera bush honeysuckle up to 1m Yellow June-July sun to shade dry to moist bees, moths stony less than sun to partial moist, acidic Epigaea repens trailing arbutus white to pink May-July N/A bees 1m sun well-drained less than sun to partial clay, sand, Fraxinus americana white Ash yellow, purple May dry to moist butterflies 1m shade loam Gaultheria less than sun to partial eastern teaberry Pink May-July sun to shade N/A bees procumbens 1m sun American September- Hamamelis virginiana 3-5m Yellow sun to shade moist rocky moths witchhazel November moist to wet, Ilex mucronata catberry 2-3m Inconspicuous June-July sun to shade peat bees, flies acidic common Ilex verticillata 2-3m white June-July sun to shade moist to wet loam bees, flies winterberry Canadian fly sun to partial clay, sand, hummingbirds, Lonicera canadensis up to 1m yellow May - June moist honeysuckle shade loam butterflies

16 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Common Bloom Soil Species Name Height Colour Period Sun Moisture Soil Texture Pollinators sun to partial dry to moist, bees, beetles, Photinia melanocarpa black chokeberry up to 2m white May-June N/A sun poorly-drained flies March - dry to moist, Prunus pennsylvanica pin cherry 5-20m+ white sun sand, loam bees June well drained sun to partial Prunus virginiana Bitter-berry 6m+ white June moist sand, loam bees sun Rhododendron sun to partial moist to wet, bees, rhodora 1m rose pink June-July humus canadense sun poorly-drained hummingbirds smooth yellow, purple, sun to partial clay, sand, Ribes hirtellum up to 1m May - June moist bees gooseberry green/brown shade loam bristly black yellow, green/ clay, sand, Ribes lacustre 1-2m May - June sun to shade normal to wet bees currant brown, pink loam white/cream, sun to partial Rosa carolina Carolina rose up to 2m May - June dry to wet sand, loam bees, butterflies pink shade less than June - Rosa nitida shining rose pink sun moist to wet clay, sand bees 1m September June - partial shade Rosa virginiana Virginia rose up to 2m yellow, pink moist clay, sand bees August to shade Alleghaney sun to partial Rubus allegheniensis 2-3m white/cream June - July moist sand, loam bees, butterflies blackberry shade sun to partial clay, sand, Rubus canadensis smooth blackberry up to 2m white/cream June - July moist bees shade loam less than white/cream, bees, butterflies, Rubus chamaemorus cloudberry June - July sun dry to moist loam 1m green/brown beetles sun to partial Rubus idaeus wild red raspberry up to 2m white/cream June - July dry to moist sand, loam bees, butterflies shade dwarf red less than white/cream, Rubus pubescens May - July sun to shade dry to wet sand, loam bees, butterflies raspberry 1m pink white/cream, March - clay, sand, Salix discolor pussy willow 2-8m sun moist to wet bees, butterflies green/brown April loam yellow, green/ sun to partial clay, sand, Salix humilis upland willow 1-3m April - June dry to moist bees, butterflies brown shade loam up to yellow, green/ sun to partial clay, sand, Salix lucida shining willow May - June normal to wet bees, butterflies 10m brown shade loam

Salix pyrifolia balsam willow 2-3m green/brown May sun moist to wet sand, loam bees

American sun to partial clay, sand, Sorbus americana 4-10m white/cream May - June dry to moist bees mountain ash shade loam Vaccinium sun to partial normal to lowbush blueberry 0.2-0.6m white to pink May-June sand bees, butterflies angustifolium shade moist Vaccinium highbush sun to partial up to 3m white June-July moist sandy loam bees corymbosum blueberry sun Vaccinium sun to partial large cranberry 0.3-.06m white to pink May-July moist to wet loam bees, butterflies macrocarpon shade Forbs Achillea millefolium white, cream, June - dry to well bees, butterflies, western yarrow 0.3-0.9m sun clay, sand var. occidentalis pink August drained flies

continued on page 18

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 17 continued from page 17 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands

Common Bloom Soil Species Name Height Colour Period Sun Moisture Soil Texture Pollinators Anaphalis July - butterflies, pearly everlasting 0.3-0.9m white/cream sun dry sand margaritacea September moths June - Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed 0.3-1.5m purple, pink sun moist to wet clay, loam bees, butterflies August Chamerion July - dry to moist, hummingbirds, fireweed 0.6-1.8m purple, pink sun sand, loam angustifolium September well drained butterflies, bees July- sun to partial Chelone glabra white turtlehead up to 1m white wet to moist humus bees September sun bees, flies, 0.15- April - partial sun to dry, well Erigeron strigosus rough fleabane white/cream clay, sand butterflies, 0.7m August sun drained moths clay, sand, Eupatorium July - sun to partial moist to wet, Joe-pye-weed 0.6-1.8m purple, pink loam, humus bees, butterflies maculatum September shade well drained enriched Eupatorium July - well drained to clay, sand, bees, butterflies, common boneset 1-1.5 m white sun perfoliatum September moist loam flies July - moist to well Euthamia graminifolia flat-top goldentop 0.3-1.2m yellow sun loam bees, butterflies October drained less than sun to partial Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry white/cream May - July dry to normal clay, sand bees, butterflies 1m shade common yellow, orange, July - partial shade clay, sand, hummingbirds, Impatiens capensis 0.6-1.5m moist to wet jewelweed green/brown October to shade loam butterflies, bees less than white/cream, sun to partial bees, flies, Linnaea borealis twinflower May - July moist to wet sand 1m pink shade moths Maianthemum wild lily-of-the- less than partial shade normal to bees, flies, white/cream May - June sand, loam canadense valley 1m to shade moist beetles less than purple, white/ July - bees, butterflies, Mentha arvensis wild mint partial shade moist to wet clay, sand 1m cream September flies

up to Mitchella repens partridgeberry white June-August partial sun moist N/A bees 0.5m

bees, flies, sand, loam, Packera aurea golden ragwort 3-7m dark yellow May-June sun to shade moist to wet butterflies, clay moths yellow with June- sun to partial bees, butterflies, black-eyed Susan up to 1m dark brown moist to dry clay, loam September sun beetles, wasps centre Sisyrinchium mountain blue- 0.1-0.5m blue, purple May - July sun to shade dry to wet sand, loam bees, flies montanum eyed-grass August - clay, sand, Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod 0.6-2.1m yellow partial shade moist bees, butterflies November loam clay, sand, Solidago gigantea giant goldenrod 1.2m yellow September partial shade moist bees loam August - sun to partial Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod 1m yellow dry clay, sand bees, butterflies October shade August - Solidago puberula downy goldenrod 0.3-0.9m yellow sun dry to normal sand bees October

18 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Common Bloom Soil Species Name Height Colour Period Sun Moisture Soil Texture Pollinators rough-stemmed July - sun to partial Solidago rugosa 0.3-1.8m yellow moist to wet sand bees, butterflies goldenrod October shade Symphyotrichum September - clay, sand, lance-leaved aster up to 1m white/cream sun moist to wet butterflies lanceolatum October loam Symphyotrichum August - sun to partial calico aster 0.3-1.2m white/cream dry to moist clay, sand butterflies lateriflorum October shade Symphyotrichum novi- less than June - normal to bees, butterflies, New York aster blue, purple sun clay, sand belgii 1m September moist flies Symphyotrichum purple-stemmed white, pink, bees, butterflies, up to 2m July - August sun moist sand, loam puniceum aster purple flies

Symplocarpus foetidus skunk cabbage up to 1m dark maroon April-May sun to shade wet to flooded N/A beetles, flies

less than partial sun to bees, beetles, Trientalis borealis starflower white May-June moist to wet wide range 1m shade butterflies purple, white/ partial shade Trillium undulatum painted trillium 0.2-0.4m April - June moist sand bees, butterflies cream, pink to shade Vines July - sun to partial hummingbirds, Clematis viginiana Virginia clematis 1.8-3m white/cream dry to moist loam October shade butterflies, bees Shelter plants 0.15- Agrostis scabra rough bentgrass 0.8m creeping bent 0.15- Agrostis stolonifera grass 0.6m Ammophila American less than breviligulata beachgrass 1m

Athyrium filix-femina common lady fern up to 2m

less than Danthonia spicata poverty oakgrass 1m Eriophorum common cotton- less than angustifolium grass 1m common cotton- 0.45- Eriophorum virginicum grass 1.2m

Festuca rubra red fescue 0.1-0.8m

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 19 Habitat Hints FOR THE Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands

BEE-POLLINATED GARDEN FLOWERS AND CROPS Lg Sm Squash/ Yellow- Bumble Digger Leafcutter Mason Sweat Plasterer Andrenid Carpenter Carpenter Gourd faced FLOWERS Catalpa x Catnip x x x Clover x x Columbine x Cow parsley x Goldenrod x x x x Impatiens x Irises x x Lavender x x x x Milkwort x Morning glory x Penstemon x x x Phacelia x x x x x x x x Potentilla x Rose x x x x x Salvia x x x x x Saxifrages x x Sorrel x Sunflowers x x x x x x x x Violet x x Wild Mustard x x Willow catkins x x CROPS Apple x Blueberry x x x Cherry x x Eggplant x x x Gooseberry x x Legumes x x x x Water melon x x Squash/ Pumpkins/ x x Gourds Tomatoes x x x x Thyme x x x x x

20 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Habitat and Nesting requirements:

Honey Bees: Honey bees are colonial cavity nesters. Occasionally in the spring and summer you might encounter a swarm of honey bees on the move to a new home. In Canada, the majority of honey bees are managed by beekeepers in hives. Beekeepers with commercial operations can have bee yards with tens to hundreds of hives commonly in agricultural, rural and some natural habitats. In urban and garden settings, it is common to see a single or a handful of honey bee hives – usually wooden boxes painted white or other light colours. Give honey bees space and don’t approach their hive. Even beekeepers minimize the amount of time they spend working bees. Honey bees have different feeding needs than native bees. Their colony can last multiple years and they feed on flowers from the beginning of spring bloom to the fall. Honey bees visit crops when they are in bloom and forage on a diversity of wildflowers as well. Honey bees also need plants that produce a large amount of nectar to make honey. Clovers, lavenders, mints, and sages are great nectar sources. Honey bees also like to feed off of the pollen of trees and shrubs such as maples, willows, and roses. Fields of goldenrod are an excellent pollen source. Bumble Bees: Bumble bees nest in cavities such as abandoned mouse nests, other rodent burrows, upside down flower pots, under boards, and other human-made cavities. Colonies are founded by a queen in the spring. The number of workers in a colony can grow to upward of 400 at the peak of summer bloom. Bumble bee colonies die out in the fall after producing new queens. New queens mate and then overwinter, hiding underground in cracks, or small crevices. Bumble bees are usually active during the morning hours and forage at colder temperatures than honey bees, even flying in light rain. Large carpenter bees: Large carpenter bees chew nests into dead wood, poplar, cottonwood or willow trunks and limbs. The also make nests in structural timbers including redwood and cedar. Depending on the species, there may be one or two brood cycles per year. These bees can be active all day even in the hottest and coolest weather. Digger bees: Digger bees can be found nesting in sandy, compacted soils, and along stream banksides. These bees are usually active in the morning hours, but can be seen at other times of the day as well. To attract these bees have some areas of exposed soil in your garden and avoid applying thick layers of mulch that are hard to dig through. Small carpenter bees: Small carpenter bees chew into pithy stems, including roses and blackberry canes, where they make their nests. These bees are more active in the morning but can be found at other times. Squash and Gourd bees: Squash and gourd bees prefer to nest in sandy soil but also may nest in gardens (where pumpkins, squash and gourds are grown). These bees are early risers and can be found in pumpkin patches before dawn. Males often sleep in wilted squash flowers. Leaf-cutting bees: Leaf-cutting bees nest in pre-existing circular tunnels of various diameters in dead wood created by emerging beetles. Some also nest in the ground. Leafcutter bees line and cap their nests with leaves or flower petals. These bees can be seen foraging throughout the day even in very hot weather. Mason bees: Mason bees use pre-existing tunnels of various diameters in dead wood made by emerging beetles, or human-made nesting substrates such as drilled wood blocks or cardboard tubes. These bees get their name from the fact that they cap their nests with mud. Mason bees are generally more active in the morning hours. Sweat bees: Sweat bees need bare ground in sunny areas not covered by vegetation for nesting. Some will nest in small pre-existing holes, much like leaf-cutting or mason bees. Like most bees, sweat bees forage for pollen earlier in the morning and then for nectar later in the day. To help these bees nest, keep some parts of your garden exposed and avoid applying thick layers of mulch that are hard to dig through. Plasterer or cellophane bees: Plasterer or cellophane bees get their name from the unique, clear waterproof lining they make around their nest. Similar to sweat bees they prefer bare ground, stream banks or slopes. These bees can be active in the morning or later in the day. Yellow-faced bees: Yellow-faced bees are tiny, hairless bees that make their nesting by chewing into small dead stems. These bees are more active during morning hours. Mining bees: Mining bees prefer sunny, bare ground, and sand soil. They are also known to nest under leaf litter or in the soil along banksides and cliffs. Mining bees are active in the spring and most commonly seen on flowers during the morning when pollen and nectar resources are abundant.

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 21 A Basic Checklist

S.H.A.R.E. - simply Have areas reserved for the environment. n Planting for pollinators is the first step. Put your pollinator habitat on the S.H.A.R.E. map and connect to pollinator conservation efforts across North America. Visit pollinator.org/SHARE n Farmers can also certify their habitat with Bee-Friendly Farming. Visit pollinator.org/bff

Become familiar with pollinators in your landscape. n Watch for activity throughout the day and the seasons. n Keep a simple notebook of when and what comes to your garden. n Take part in citizen science monitoring and get involved in local programs. n Consult a local field guide or web site when you are ready to learn more details.

Add native plants to attract more native pollinators. n List the plants you currently have in your landscape. n Determine when you need additional flowers to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. n Add plants that provide additional seasons of bloom, create variable heights for shelter, and attract the types of pollinators you want. n Don’t forget to include host plants that provide food and shelter for larval development. n Contact your local native plant society or extension agent for more help.

Use pollinator friendly landscape practices to support the pollinators you attract. n Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to address pest concerns. n Tolerate a little mess – leave dead snags and leaf litter, keep areas bare for ground nesting insects, and leave some weeds that provide food for pollinators. n Provide safe access to clean water.

Notice the changes that you have helped to create!

22 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Resources

Many books, websites, and people were consulted to gather information for this guide. Use this list as a starting point to learn more about pollinators and plants in your area.

Ecoregion profi le Native Plants The Ecological Framework of Canada Ecological Framework of Canada http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/AtlanticMaritime/ecoregions.html http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/ http://ecozones.ca/english/region/128.html AtlanticMaritime/index.html Webb, K. T., and I. B. Marshall. 1999. Ecoregions and ecodistricts of Nova Scotia. Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Research Branch, Nova Scotia Museum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Truro, Nova Scotia Publications - Pollination/Pollinators Nova Scotia Plants Pollinator Partnership www.pollinator.org Munro, M. C., R. E. Newell, and N. M. Hill. 2014. Nova Scotia North American Pollinator Protection Campaign www.nappc.org Plants. Nova Scotia Museum. https://ojs.library.dal.ca/NSM/issue/ Pollination Canada www.pollinationcanada.ca view/508 Seeds of Diversity www.seeds.ca Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility: Butterflies of Canada www.cbif.gc.ca/eng/species-bank/butterflies-of-canada/?id=1370403265518 Feedback North American Butterfly Association www.naba.org We need your help to create better guides for other parts of North Canadian Honey Council www.honeycouncil.ca America. Please e-mail your input Buchmann, S.L. and G.P. Nabhan. 1997. The Forgotten Pollinators to [email protected]. Island Press: Washington, DC. n Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America. 2007. Status of How will you use this guide? Pollinators in North America The National Academies Press: Washington, DC. https://novascotiabutterflies.ca/ n Do you find the directions https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp clear? If not, please tell us The Butterflies of Nova Scotia https://novascotiabutterflies.ca/ what is unclear.

Maritimes Butterfly Atlas http://accdc.com/mba/en/checklists.html n Is there any information you Nova Scotia Canada Species at Risk Overview feel is missing from the guide? https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/biodiversity/species-list.asp n Any other comments? Packer, L., J.A. Genaro, and C.S. Sheffield 2007. The Bee Genera of Eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Identification available online at doi: 10.3752/cjai.2007.03. Thank you Sheffield, C. S., P. G. Kevan, and R. F. Smith. 2003. Bee species of Nova for taking Scotia, Canada, with new records and notes on bionomics and floral relations the time to help! (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society

Southwest Nova Scotia Uplands 23 Research and Writing: Anthony Colangelo

Editorial: Victoria Wojcik, Lora Morandin

Design: Marguerite Meyer

Contributors: Marian Munro, Sean Blaney, Alain Belliveau

Photo Contributors: Anthony Colangelo

Illustrations: Carolyn Vibbert

For a copy of this brochure, or for another region, visit www.pollinatorpartnership.ca The Pollinator Partnership™/North American Pollinator Protection Campaign www.pollinatorpartnership.ca d www.nappc.org 24 Selecting Plants for Pollinators