Metropolitan & Greater Melbourne: South East Buzz pollination use that skill to buzz pollen from the Wholesale Nurseries anthers of native plants. Encouraging pollinators in your garden Most of the plants shown in the The power of Some flowers do not produce any Planting buzz-pollinated species planting guide will be available at nectar; they specifically target pollen- Create pollination reservoirs Construct insect real estate Get to know your local flora will encourage populations of buzz nurseries that have a good stock of pollinators collecting bees, and only offer pollen Pollination reservoirs are areas that Insect hotels, which are both functional Your local government area has distinct pollinators for successful pollination of native plants. But if your local nursery rewards. To limit pollen loss and ensure Powerful pollinators Pollinators – mostly insects, but also birds provide floral resources for pollinators. and attractive, are a great way to populations of insects, depending food crops and ensure seed set in native doesn’t stock the plant you’re after, effective pollination, some plants and mammals – assist the formation of They can be gardens, new planting add to habitat and nesting places for on the local flora and environment. plants. Many small ground nesting bees ask them to order it in. For a list of produce flowers with specialised, seeds and fruit in many plant species or existing habitat such as established pollinators and insects in your backyard Knowing your local insect species will also buzz pollinate native flowers. wholesale nurseries Encouraging insect pollinators in urban environments & gardens tubular anthers, that only open at the by visiting flowers in search of food trees, or even local bushland, parks or garden. The hotels are easily moved help you develop better plantings. that stock all the tip. To extract pollen, bees use vibrations (nectar and/or pollen). Whilst foraging or reserves. A high diversity of plant to be close to flowering plants and plants shown in the The plants growing in nearby nature to ‘buzz’ the pollen grains out of the Nectar feeding they transfer pollen from one flower to species is essential to provide nectar, those needing pollination, especially planting guide, plus reserves or bushland will be suited pores of these anthers. Many crops are another, facilitating fertilization, which pollen and nesting sites throughout if you have a new garden that is still Grevillea flowers and other tubular other useful resources, to your climate and soils. Local buzz pollinated, including tomatoes, results in fruits and seeds. the year. Pollination reservoirs need growing. Include lots of different flowers are often adapted to be visit the Wheen Bee environment groups and specialist potatoes, eggplants, capsicum, chillies, to be close enough to where pollinators sized holes, cracks and crevices to successfully pollinated by birds. Pollen Foundation website native nurseries can provide tomatillo and cranberries. Honey bees, native bees and other live to ensure that they can fly easily provide homes for various solitary is ‘presented’ on a floral stigma that or scan the QR code. information about local plants. native insects like hoverflies, wasps to them. European honey bees are unable to extends outside the flower. When birds © Dreamstime insect pollinators. WheenBeeFoundation.org.au/our-work/powerful-pollinators and butterflies provide essential buzz pollinate flowers, but several feed on the nectar, pollen is deposited pollination services for native plants, Native vegetation supports pollinators by providing food and nesting sites. Nearby crops and Improve on what you have Grow a bumper crop native bees, such as the blue-banded on their beaks or heads. Bees, also Plant for the future garden flowers, fruits and vegetables. pastures will benefit from the increased abundance and diversity of pollinators in the landscape. Enhance and improve existing pollinator Pollinator-attracting plants include bee, and teddy bear bee (Amegilla sp.) attracted to the sugary nectar, crawl habitat where possible. Gardens that When establishing pollinator habitat, many fruits and vegetables grown and carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp.) are into the side of the flower and feed on Wheen Bee Foundation already contain elements such as consider including species that are in backyards, community and market exceptionally good large buzz pollinators, the nectar without encountering the Pollinators and food security Insect populations are in decline Backyard biodiversity large trees, rockeries, water sources, indigenous to your area but can gardens, and orchards. Pollinators and have evolved to pollinate native pollen-laden stigma. The plant doesn’t Powerful Pollinators Planting Guides are Without insect pollinators, the quantity worldwide due to land clearing, Insect pollinators are a prime example bare soil and organic matter, and tolerate increasingly drier and warmer ensure good yields of crops such as plants such as flax lilies (Dianella sp.). receive the pollination benefit from produced by Wheen Bee Foundation. and diversity of food and flowers of the importance of healthy ecosystems a variety of flowering plants are a conditions, to create resilient habitat intensive or monocultural apples, beans, avocado, and almonds, Many of our smaller, ground nesting the insect, but flowers such Grevillea We fund vital strategic research and grown in backyard gardens would be in urban gardens, parks and reserves. valuable resource for beneficial insects for climate change. Rehabilitate agriculture, pesticide use, and bush foods such as lilly-pilly and bees utilise vibration to help them species can be a very useful source of education initiatives that strengthen severely restricted. Many of the foods Insects are the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ and pollinators. weedy areas into managed pollination yam daisy. excavate their burrows, and they also nectar for insects in the cooler months. bees, improve pollination efficiency, we eat, from gardens and farms, pollution, colony disease, of our urban and rural environments. reservoirs by introducing lots of Nature-strips and verges, ponds, and protect our food security and benefit from pollination. increased urbanisation and Without our ‘littlest creatures’, we lack flowering plant diversity. Be careful ecosystem health. Visit the website for vegetable gardens, orchards, bushland, Reduce chemical use Pollinator-dependent foods include pollinators, natural beneficial pest not to plant invasive or listed weeds, more information. climate change. Low pollinator grassland, and river and creek edges citrus, apples, stone-fruits, zucchini, control services, and critical food source and look for suitable replacements. Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, can all be important pollinator-attracting numbers mean not all flowers even ‘natural’ products, all affect WheenBeeFoundation.org.au pumpkins, strawberries and tomatoes, for other insects, birds, amphibians, areas. Protect and enhance any native pollinator health. Herbicides can as well as plants grown for seed such are pollinated, leading to low reptiles and mammals. pollinator plants in your garden or on Amplify the flower signal as sunflowers, coriander and parsley. reduce or eradicate the availability fruit or seed set. This in turn The presence of connected and your property for the future. Plants have evolved large flowers or and diversity of flowers, and plants that The quantity and diversity of insect reduces fruit and vegetable widespread pollinator habitat is critical clusters of smaller flowers because Plant trees, shrubs and groundcovers support insect life. Most insecticides Far left: The spreading flax lily, pollinators are key drivers of production harvest yields, and decreases to support insect populations if we they attract more pollinator visits. are non-specific, killing both beneficial Dianella revoluta, is buzz pollinated. as they influence both food yields and Planting a variety of species of are to maintain sustainable cities and Large, colourful and diverse plantings insects and pests. quality. Under-pollination results in food supply. groundcovers, shrubs and trees to Left: This European honey bee productive, healthy gardens and urban attract more pollinators. Ideally, plant in is ‘side-working’: feeding on the smaller and misshapen fruit or seed in your garden will further attract farms for food security and biodiversity. groups that contain different vegetation There are other means of protecting nectar-rich flowers without coming that isn’t viable to grow. pollinators to your patch. Initial layers — combine a species-rich mixture plants, such as with approved netting, into contact with the plant’s pollen. Pollinators require habitat that contains watering and protection will improve and pest-repellent plants like marigolds A diverse and healthy community of of wildflowers, ground-covers, herbs, Front cover: year-round food sources, breeding the success rate of young plants. pollinators generally provides more lilies, rushes, climbers, shrubs and trees. and lavender. 1. Australian native bee, resources and nesting sites. The presence Some species such as wildflowers effective and consistent pollination When pollinators are allowed to Lipotriches species. (Photo: Erica Siegel) of pollinator habitat adjacent to food or native pea species are excellent 2. Aerial view over of south-eastern than relying on any single species. Connectivity counts flourish, they help control pest insects. crops has been