Selecting

Plants

for

Pollinators

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

Columbia Mountains and Highlands ecoregion

Revelstoke,

Nelson,

Blue River,

Wells, and Creston Table of CONTENTS

Why Support Pollinators? 4

Getting Started 5

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 6

Meet the Pollinators 8

Plant Traits 10

Developing Plantings 12

Farms 13

Public Lands 14

Home Landscapes 15

Plants That Attract Pollinators 16

Notes 21

Habitat hints 22

Habitat and Nesting requirements 23

This is one of several guides for S.H.A.R.E. 24 different regions of North America. We welcome your feedback to assist us in making the future guides Checklist 24 useful. Please contact us at [email protected] Resources and Feedback 25

2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Selecting Plants for Pollinators

A Guide for

Gardeners, Farmers,

and Land Managers

In the

Columbia Mountains

and Highlands

Ecoregion

Revelstoke, Nelson,

Blue River, Wells,

and Creston

A NAPPC and Pollinator Partnership Canada™ Publication

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 3 Why support pollinators?

IN THEIR 1996 BOOK, THE FORGOTTEN POLLINATORS, Buchmann and Nabhan estimated that animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction “Flowering plants of 90% of fl owering plants and one third of human food crops. Each of us depends on these industrious pollinators in a practical way to provide us with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the intricate across wild, 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 production per hectare. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife food sources urban landscapes increase. The Columbia Mountains and Highlands ecoregion lies within the Southern Interior Mountains on the mainland of British Columbia and covers the “Interior Wet Belt” of British Columbia. It extends from the northern actually feed the end of the Cariboo Mountains south to the international border. This region supports a diverse agricultural industry, including many tree fruit, forage, and vegetable crops as well as a diversity of native plants. Many of these plants terrestrial world, and crops rely on native bees, such as bumble bees, and non-native bees, such as honey bees, for seed and fruit production. British Columbia supports over 450 native species of bees! and pollinators

Unfortunately, the numbers of many native pollinators are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss, disease, climate change, and the excessive and are the great inappropriate use of pesticides. As a result research and conservation actions supporting native pollinators are increasingly active. Honey bee colony losses have signifi cantly impacted beekeepers. Parasites, disease, pesticide use, connectors who insuffi cient 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 commercial bees should help enable this giant us understand other pollinators and their roles in the environment as well.

It is imperative that we take immediate steps to help pollinator populations thrive. The beauty of the situation is that by supporting pollinators’ need food system to for habitat, we support our own needs for food and support diversity in the natural world. work for all who Thank you for taking time to consult this guide. By adding plants to your 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.”

Laurie Davies Adams – Roger Lang, Chairman, Executive Director Pollinator Partnership Pollinator Partnership

4 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Getting Started

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

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 5 Understanding the Columbia Mountains and Highlands

n The Columbia Mountains and Highlands is part of the larger Montane Cordillera Ecozone. It encompasses the Eastern section of the Southern Interior Mountains on the mainland of British Columbia.

n The population is relatively sparse at approximately 57, 000.

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 The topography is characterized by mountains, ranges, and alternating trenches which contain ruggedly sculptured peaks. These peaks are composed of glaciers and rock outcrops.

n Elevations range from 1,200 to over 3,000 meters above sea level.

n Temperatures vary from north to south, but averages 5°C with a mean summer temperature of 14°C and a mean winter temperature of -5°C. Summer temperatures can reach highs of above 30°C.

n Mean annual precipitation ranges from less than 1000 mm in drier valleys up to 1200 mm in subalpine areas.

n Incorporates the Columbia Mountains and the western portion of the Columbia Highlands. Photo: NicVW Characteristics

n Encompasses low-elevation climax forests of western hemlock and western redcedar.

n In drier areas, seral forests are more common, with Douglas-fi r, western larch, grand fi r, western white pine, lodgepole pine, paper birch, or trembling aspen.

n Land-use includes forestry, mountain recreation, localized agriculture and grazing, tourism, and resource extraction (mining & hydroelectricity).

n Habitat fragmentation caused by various anthropogenic land-use activities a concern for species that need habitat connectivity.

6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Montane Cordillera Ecoregions 198 Skeena Moutains 199 Omineca Mountains 200 Central Canadian Rocky Mountains 201 Bulkley Ranges 202 Fraser Plateau 203 Fraser Basin 204 Chilcotin Ranges 205 Columbia Mountains and Highlands 206 Western Continental Ranges 207 Eastern Continental Ranges 208 Interior Transition Ranges 209 Thompson-Okanagan Plateau 210 Okanagan Range 211 Okanagan Highland 212 Selkirk-Bitterroot Foothills 213 Southern Rocky Mountain Trench 214 Northern Continental Divide

Columbia Mountains and Highlands includes: Revelstoke, Nelson, Blue River, Wells, and Creston

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 7 Meet the Pollinators

Who are the dense thatches. They are generalists, feeding on a wide range of plant types pollinators? from May to September and are important pollinators of tomatoes and Bees blueberries. Bees best documented pollinators in Sweat bees (family Halictidae) are the natural and agricultural landscapes medium to small-sized, slender bees that in Canada, including the Columbia commonly nest underground. Various Mountains and Highlands ecoregion. species are solitary while others form A wide range of wild and crop plants, loose colonies, nesting side-by-side. Other including plants in the Aster and Rose common solitary bees include mining bees, families, agricultural crop, specialty (Andrena spp.), which nest underground crop, and some forage crops, all benefi t and are common in the spring; leaf-cutter from bee pollinators. bees (Megachile spp.), which prefer dead Most of us are familiar with the trees or branches for their nest sites; and colonies of honey bees that have mason bees (Osmia spp.), which utilize been the workhorses of agricultural cavities they fi nd in stems and dead wood pollination for years in Canada. They that they fi ll with mud. were imported from Europe almost 400 years ago and continue to be Butterfl ies managed for honey production and Butterfl ies prefer open and sunny areas pollination services. There are over such as meadows and along woodland 800 species of native ground and twig edges that provide bright fl owers, water nesting bees in Canada, and over 400 Photo: RCKeller sources, and specifi c host plants for in British Columbia. Most of these bee Black-chinned Hummingbird a their caterpillars. Gardeners have been species live a solitary life; a minority breeding resident of Columbia attracting butterfl ies to their gardens for are social and form colonies or nest in Mountains and Highlands ecoregion. some time. To encourage butterfl ies place aggregations. fl owering plants where they have full sun Native bees visit and pollinate many and are protected from the wind. They crops; in many cases they are better at usually look for fl owers that provide a transferring pollen than honey bees. good landing platform. Butterfl ies need Our native bees can be encouraged open areas (e.g., bare earth, large stones) to do more to support agricultural where they can bask, and moist soil endeavours if their needs for nesting from which they wick needed minerals. habitat are met and if suitable sources Butterfl ies eat rotten fruit and even dung, of nectar, pollen, and water are so don’t clean up all the messes in your Two-tailed Swallowtail. provided. Bees come in a variety of garden! By providing a safe place to eat body shapes and sizes, and even have and nest, gardeners can also support tongues of different lengths. Native the pollination role that butterfl ies play bees visit the widest range of fl owers in the landscape. British Columbia has and crops of any pollinator group. the largest diversity of butterfl ies in Canada, with 187 known species, with There are over 35 species of bumble over 184 species in British Columbia! bees in BC. Bombus nevadensis is Some of the butterfl ies that have been our largest; and Bombus insularis is found in the Columbia Mountains and a cleptoparasitic bee (Cockoo Bee), Highlands ecoregion include Stella’s laying her eggs in other bumble bee Orangetip (Anthocharis stella), Northern nests. Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) form Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla), Two-tailed small colonies, usually underground Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudatus), and making use of old rodent burrows or Photo: johnandersonphoto Western Pine Elfi n (Callophrys eryphon).

8 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Moths habitats, but are also economically Species at Risk (SAR) are ones important as pollinators for a range of whose survival is endangered, Moths are most easily distinguished annual and bulbous ornamental fl owers. threatened, or of special concern. from butterfl ies by their antennae. Plants pollinated by fl ies include the Butterfl y antennae are simple with a American pawpaw (Asimina triloba), Some pollinator species such as swelling at the end. Moth antennae skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), the Karner Blue butterfl y have differ from simple to featherlike, goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and members already been extirpated from some but never have a swelling at the tip. of the carrot family (Daucus spp.). regions in Canada. The Viceroy Butterfl y bodies are not very hairy, butterfl y (Limenitis archipuss), which while moth bodies are quite hairy and Birds stouter. In addition, butterfl ies typically used to be common throughout are active during the day; moths at Hummingbirds are the primary birds the southern Interior of British night. They are attracted to fl owers that play a role in pollination in North Columbia, is a red-listed taxon in that are strongly sweet smelling, open America. Their long beaks and tongues BC and is thought to be extirpated. in late afternoon or night, and are draw nectar from tubular fl owers. Other species that were once typically white or pale coloured. Pollen is carried on both their beaks and feathers. Regions closer to the common have become rare, such Beetles tropics, with warmer climates, boast as the western bumble bee (Bombus the largest number of hummingbird occidentalis). Because habitat loss There are more than 9000 species species and the greatest number of is one of the largest threats facing of beetles in Canada and many of native plants to support their need pollinators, the very best thing you them can be found easily by looking for food. A number of hummingbirds can do is plant for them. inside fl ower heads. Gardeners have spend the summer in British Columbia. yet to intentionally draw beetles to Black-chinned Hummingbirds their gardens, possibly because beetle (Archilochus alexandri) are breeding Western Bumble Bee watching isn’t as inspiring as butterfl y residents and can be found throughout or bird watching. Yet beetles do play the Columbia Mountain and Highlands • The western bumble bee (Bombus a role in pollination. Some have a bad ecoregion, as well as other areas in BC. occidentalis) used to be one of the reputation because they can leave a most common bumble bees in Hummingbirds can see the colour mess behind, damaging plant parts as Western Canada and the US. they eat pollen. Beetle pollinated plants red; bees cannot. Many tropical tend to be large, strong scented fl owers fl owers, grown as annuals, along with • It has become rare since the 1990s, native woodland edge plants, attract and have the anthers and stigma possibly due to pathogens that exposed. Beetles are known to pollinate hummingbirds. transferred from managed bumble magnolia, American pawpaw, and yellow pond lilies. Bats bees to wild populations, and Though bat species in Canada are habitat loss. Flies not pollinators, bats in the south • It was designated as ‘Threatened’ western United States and Mexico It may be hard to imagine why one in 2014 but currently has no would want to attract fl ies to the are important pollinators of agave status under the Species at Risk garden. However, fl ies are one of the and cactus. The head shape and long most diverse group of pollinators. tongues of nectar bats allows them to Act. It is a Blue Listed taxon in They include colouful fl ower fl ies and delve into fl ower blossoms and extract BC, and is considered imperiled. hover fl ies (Syrphidae), active bee fl ies both pollen and nectar; pollen covers (Bombyliidae), and tiny midges that visit their hairy bodies and is transfer as • Recently, there are signs that many plant species. Like bees, fl ies are they move from plant to plant. some populations of the western hairy and can easily transport pollen bumble bee may be recovering in from fl ower to fl ower. Flies primarily the US. pollinate small fl owers that bloom under shade and in seasonally moist Species at Risk

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

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

10 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Pollinator Plant Plant Trait Bees Beetles Birds Trait Butterfl ies Flies Moths Wind Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, or Bright white, Scarlet, blue, Pale and dull red, Dull white, Bright, including dark brown or colourless; yellow, orange, red purple, pink or Colour yellow, or green Colour red and purple purple; fl ecked with petals absent blue, or UV or white white translucent patches or reduced

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

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

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

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

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

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 11 Developing landscape plantings that provide pollinator habitat

WHETHER YOU ARE A FARMER only be planted in gardens. access to underground tunnels. of many hectares, LAND manager of • Recognize weeds that might be a • Group plantings so that pollinators a large tract of land, or a gardener good source of food. For example, can move safely through the landscape with a small lot, you can increase the dandelions provide nectar in the early protected from predators. number of pollinators in your area by spring before other fl owers open. making conscious choices to include • Include plants that are needed plants that provide essential habitat • Milkweed is a host of the Monarch by butterfl ies during their larval for bees, butterfl ies, moths, beetles, butterfl y, which can be found in patchy development. hummingbirds, and other pollinators. distributions throughout the Southern Interior, but its range does not extend Water: Food: north into the Columbia Mountains and Highlands ecoregion. Only Showy Some pollinators use and benefi t from Flowers provide nectar (high in sugar Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is native having a clean, fresh water source. and necessary amino acids) and pollen to parts of the mainland of British • Most pollinators receive their water (high in protein) to pollinators. Columbia. Generally, Monarchs needs through their food or by other Fermenting fallen fruits also provide and Showy Milkweed have a similar means (e.g. butterfl ies wick their food for bees, beetles, and butterfl ies. distribution throughout British nutrients from muddied waters, or Columbia. fermenting fruit) making clean water a Specifi c plants, known as host plants, non-essential component. are eaten by the larvae of pollinators • Learn and utilize Integrated Pest such as butterfl ies. Management (IPM) practices to • If you do include a water source, address pest concerns. Minimize or ensure that the source has a shallow or • Plant in groups to increase pollination eliminate the use of pesticides. sloping side so the pollinators can easily effi ciency. If a pollinator can visit the approach the water without drowning. same type of fl ower over and over, it Shelter: doesn’t have to relearn how to enter the Your current landscape probably fl ower and can transfer pollen to the Pollinators need protection from severe includes many of these elements. same species, instead of squandering weather and from predators as well as Observe wildlife activity in your farm the pollen on unreceptive fl owers. sites for nesting and roosting. fi elds, woodlands, and gardens to determine what actions you can take • Incorporate different canopy layers in • Plant with bloom season in mind, to encourage other pollinators to feed the landscape by planting trees, shrubs, providing food from early spring to late and nest. Evaluate the placement and different-sized perennial plants. fall. (see Bloom Periods pp.16-19) of individual plants and use your • Plant a diversity of plants to support • Leave dead snags for nesting sites of knowledge of specifi c pollinator needs a variety of pollinators. Flowers bees, and other dead plants and leaf to guide your choice and placement of different colour, fragrance, and litter for shelter. of additional plants and other habitat elements. Minor changes by many season of bloom on plants of different • Avoid applying thick layers of mulch individuals can positively impact the heights will attract different pollinator that are hard to dig through. species and provide pollen and nectar pollinator populations in your area. throughout the seasons. • Build bee boxes to encourage solitary, Watch for - and enjoy - the changes in non-aggressive bees to nest on your your landscape! • Many herbs and annuals, although not property. native, are very good for pollinators. • CAUTION Land Managers: Mint, oregano, garlic, chives, parsley • Ground nesting bees are also Remember that many insecticides are and lavender are just a few herbs that attracted to lawns and short grass areas, largely toxic to pollinators. Extreme can be planted. Old fashioned zinnias, especially if there is a south facing caution is warranted if you choose to cosmos, and single sunfl owers support slope. use any insecticide. Strategically apply bees and butterfl ies. Non-native crops, • Leave some areas of soil uncovered insecticides only for problematic target herbs, and ornamental fl owers should to provide ground nesting insects easy species.

12 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Farms

Farmers have many opportunities pollinators. Spray when bees • Choose a variety of native plants to to incorporate pollinator-friendly aren’t active (after dark or just act as windbreaks, riparian buffers, land management practices on their before dawn) and choose targeted and fi eld borders throughout the land which will benefi t the farmer ingredients. farm. in achieving his or her production •Use of Integrated Pest Management • Plant unused areas of the farm goals. (IPM) strategies to control is highly with temporary cover crops that recommended. Use insecticides that can provide food or with a variety Many tree fruit, berry, and cause the least harm to non-target of trees, shrubs, and fl owers that vegetable crops are grown in British organisms and only use when pests provide both food and shelter for Columbia, and they will benefi t reach economic thresholds. pollinators. from strong native bee populations • Use herbicides only when essential • Check with local not-for-profi t that boost pollination effi ciency. to get a viable crop. Some weeds can organizations or government Incorporate different plants provide needed food for pollinators. agencies to see what technical throughout the farm that provide • Till as little as possible to protect support might be available to assist food for native populations when ground nesting pollinators. you in your effort to provide nectar, targeted crops are not in fl ower. • Whenever possible, create pollen, and larval food sources for permanently untilled areas for pollinators on your farm. • Minimize the use of insecticides ground nesting bees (e.g. such as to reduce the impact on native along internal farm laneways). Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 13 Public Lands

Public lands are maintained for pollinators in the environment specifi c reasons ranging from high through signs, brochures, and public impact recreation to conservation. programs. In British Columbia, forests have In an effort to increase populations been cut 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 benefi ts 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 fl owers. 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 wildfl owers and grasses. as an education tool to help others • Remove invasive species. understand the importance of

14 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Home Landscapes

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

• CAUTION: Take time to evaluate the source of your plant material. You want to ensure you get plants that are healthy and correctly identifi ed. Your local native plant nurseries, or conservation organizations can help you make informed decisions when searching for plants.

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 15 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Columbia Mountains and Highlands

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.

Also Family Botanical Name Common Name Height Flower Flower Sun Soil Pollinators a Colour Season host Trees and Shrubs Adoxaceae sun to partial moist to bees, Sambucus racemosa Red Elderberry 1-6m white June-July (Honeysuckle) shade wet hummingbirds Berberidaceae 0.5- sun to partial dry to Mahonia aquifolium tall Oregon-grape yellow March-April bees, butterfl ies (Barberry) 2.5m shade moist Caprifoliaceae purple & bees, other Lonicera involucrata Black Twinberry 0.5-5m May-June sun moist (Valerian) yellow insects

pale pink- sun to partial dry to Symphoricarpos albus Common Snowberry 0.5-3m March-May bees, butterfl ies X white shade moist

Cornaceae greenish- sun to partial moist, well Cornus sericea Red-Osier Dogwood 2-4m March-April butterfl ies X (Dogwood) white shade drained up to sun to partial bees, other Cornus canadensis Bunchberry white April-May moist 0.25m shade insects up to June- sun to partial bees, other Cornus unalaschkensis Alaskan Bunchberry white moist X 0.20m August shade insects Shepherdia partial to full dry, well Buffaloberry 1-2m yellowish March-May bees canadensis shade drained Ericaceae Arctostaphylos uva- 0.05- sun to partial Kinnikinnick pale pink March-May dry bees, butterfl ies X (Crowberry) ursi 0.15m shade 0.3-0.8 partial sun to moist to Ledum groenlandicum Labrador Tea white May-July bees, fl ies m shade wet Vaccinium up to white to moist to Dwarf Blueberry May-July sun bees, butterfl ies X caespitosum 0.3m pinkish wet Vaccinium up to white to sun to partial dry to Black Huckleberry June-July bees, butterfl ies membranaceum 1.5m pinkish shade moist Oval-leaved up to white to sun to partial Vaccinium ovalifolium July-August moist bees, butterfl ies Blueberry 2m pinkish shade Grossulariaceae Northern sun to partial moist to bees, other Ribes hudsonianum 0.5-2m white May (Currant) Blackcurrant shade wet insects sun, partial Red-fl owering dry to bees, butterfl ies, Ribes sanguineum 1-3m pink April-May shade to Currant moist hummingbirds shade Hydrangeaceae dry to Philadelphus lewisii Mock-orange 1-3m creamy white May-June sun bees, butterfl ies (Hydrangea) moist Rhamnaceae Red-stem moist to Ceanothus sanguineus 1-3m white May-June partial shade bees (Buckthorn) Ceanothus dry Snowbrush sun to partial dry to Ceanothus velutinus 0.5-2m white March-April bees Ceanothus shade moist sun to partial moist to Rosaceae (Rose) Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon 1-5m white April bees, fl ies X shade dry sun to partial dry to Crataegus douglasii Black Hawthorn 1-8m white May-June butterfl ies X shade moist pale to bright April- dry to Dasiphora fruticosa Shrubby Cinquefoil 1.3m sun bees, fl ies yellow September moist

16 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Also Family Botanical Name Common Name Height Flower Flower Sun Soil Pollinators a Colour Season host sun to partial dry to Holodiscus discolor Oceanspray 1-4m cream-white June-July bees, butterfl ies X shade moist dry to bees, butterfl ies, Prunus emarginata Bittercherry 2-15m creamy white April-May sun moist, well X moths drained partial sun to Prunus parvifl orus Thimbleberry 0.5-2 m white May-July moist bees, fl ies shade dry to sun to partial bees, butterfl ies, Prunus virginiana Chokecherry 6-10m creamy white March-May moist, well X shade moths drained sun, partial dry to bees, other Rosa acicularis Prickly Rose 1-3m pink May-June shade to moist insects shade sun, partial dry to Rosa nutkana Nootka Rose 1-3m pink May-June shade to bees, butterfl ies X moist shade sun, partial dry to Rosa woodsii Wood’s Rose 2m deep pink May shade to bees moist shade Western Mountain- sun to partial Sorbus scopulina 1-5m white March-May moist bees ash shade White Meadow- 0.2- sun to partial dry to bees, other Spiraea betulifolia white May-July sweet 0.9m shade moist insects Hardhack; Pink up to pale pink to sun to partial moist, well Spiraea douglasii July-August bees Spirea 1.5m rose shade drained Salicaceae up to sun to partial wet to Salix bebbiana Bebb’s Willow creamy yellow March-April bees (Willow) 10m shade moist up to greenish sun to partial wet to Salix glauca Grey-leaved Willow May-June bees 3m yellow shade moist False Mountain greenish sun to partial Salix pseudomonticola 1-6m March-April moist bees Willow yellow shade up to sun to partial moist, well Salix scouleriana Scouler’s Willow greenish March-April bees X 10m shade drained sun to partial moist to Salix sitchensis Sitka Willow 1-8m greenish March-April bees shade wet Sapindaceae Acer glabrum var. sun to partial dry to Douglas Maple 1-10m yellow-green April-May bees (Horse-chestnut) douglasii shade moist Forbs - Non-woody Flowering Plants Amaryllidaceae bees, butterfl ies, Allium cernuum Nodding Onion 0.3m pink March-May sun dry (Amaryllis) hummingbirds Apiaceae partial shade moist to Heracleum lanatum Cow Parsnip 1-3 m white May-July bees, fl ies (Carrot) - shade wet Apocynaceae 0.4- pink to redish May- moist to bees, butterfl ies, Asclepias speciosa Showy Milkweed sun X (Dogbane) 1.2m purple September mesic hummingbirds

continued on page 18

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 17 continued from page 17 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Columbia Mountains and Highlands

Also Family Botanical Name Common Name Height Flower Flower Sun Soil Pollinators a Colour Season host Asteraceae bees, beetles, Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow 0.75m white-pink April-July sun dry X (Aster) butterfl ies Anaphalis up to white & sun to partial dry to Pearly Everlasting June-July bees, butterfl ies margaritacea 0.9m yellow shade moist Balsamorhiza Arrow-leaved 0.4- sun to partial yellow March-April dry bees, fl ies sagittata Balsamroot 1.2m shade 0.15- bees, beetles, Crepis atribarba Slender Hawksbeard yellow May-July sun dry 0.7m butterfl ies, fl ies 0.4- August- sun to partial dry to bees, butterfl ies, Erigeron speciosus Showy Fleabane pale purple 0.8m September shade moist fl ies 0.2- yellow to May- bees, beetles, Gaillardia aristata Blanketfl ower sun dry 0.7m orange October butterfl ies Mountain 0.15- August- sun to partial moist to bees, moths, Helenium autumnale yellow Sneezeweed 1.2m October shade mesic butterfl ies Western Canada 0.3- August- dry to bees, other Solidago lepida yellow sun Goldenrod 1.65m October moist insects Symphyotrichum 0.25- August- dry to Lindley’s Aster pale blue sun bees, butterfl ies X ciliolatum 1.0m September moist Symphyotrichum 0.4- August- mesic to bees, other Smooth Aster bluish purple partial shade laeve 1.2m October dry insects Boraginaceae dry to bees, other Hackelia micrantha Blue Stickseed 0.3-1m blue May-June sun (Borage) moist insects Long-fl owered 0.05- sun to partial dry to Mertensia longifl ora blue Mar-May bees Bluebell 0.25m shade moist Campanulaceae Campanula 0.1- June- sun to partial dry to bees, Common Harebell purple (Bellfl ower) rotundifolia 0.8m September shade moist hummingbirds Rocky Mountain up to sun to partial Cleomaceae Peritoma serrulata light purple May-June moist bees, butterfl ies Bee Plant 1.5m shade Lance-leaved 0.05- late June- bees, other Sedum lanceolatum yellow sun dry Stonecrop 0.25m July insects 0.1- dry to Fabaceae (Pea) Astragalus miser Timber Milk-vetch whitish purple April-June sun bees, butterfl ies X 0.4m moist 0.2- Astragalus robbinsii Robbins’ Milk-vetch whitish purple April-June sun moist bees, butterfl ies 0.7m 0.3- moist to bees, other Glycyrrhiza lepidota Wild Licorice white April-May partial shade X 1.0m wet insects 0.2- sun to partial moist to bees, butterfl ies, Lupinus arcticus Arctic Lupine bluish purple April-May 0.6m shade mesic hummingbirds white-pink to up to sun to partial bees, butterfl ies, Lupinus polyphyllus Large-leaved Lupine purpulish- May-July moist 1.5m shade hummingbirds blue 0.3- deep blue- sun to partial bees, butterfl ies, Lupinus sericeus Silky Lupine April-May dry X 0.6m dark lavendar shade hummingbirds Geraniaceae 0.05- bees, butterfl ies, Geranium bicknellii Bicknell’s Geranium bluish purple March-May sun moist (Geranium) 0.6m hummingbirds

18 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Also Family Botanical Name Common Name Height Flower Flower Sun Soil Pollinators a Colour Season host Richardson’s 0.2- sun to partial mesic to bees, butterfl ies, Geranium richardsonii light purple April-May Geranium 0.8m shade moist hummingbirds Geranium 0.25- pinkish purple sun to partial mesic to bees, butterfl ies, Sticky Geranium April-May viscosissimum 0.9m to lavender shade dry hummingbirds Hydrophyllaceae 0.2- bees, other Phacelia hastata Silverleaf Phacelia creamy white April-May sun dry (Waterleaf) 0.5m insects Three-leaved 0.1- dry to Phacelia linearis lavender-blue March-May sun bees, beetles, fl ies Phacelia 0.5m moist Lamiaceae 0.3- sun to partial dry to bees, other Monarda fi stulosa Wild Bee Balm purple July-August (Mint) 0.7m shade moist insects Calochortus Three-spot Mariposa 0.1- dry to bees, other Liliaceae (Lily) white June sun apiculatus Lily 0.3m mesic insects Erythronium Yellow Avalanche up to sun to partial bees, other yellow April moist grandifl orum Lily 0.2m shade insects 0.02- bees, other Fritillaria pudica Yellow Bells dark yellow March-April sun dry 0.1m insects Montiaceae Western Spring 0.05- white or Claytonia lanceolata March sun moist bees (Purslane) Beauty 0.25m pinkish Onagraceae Chamaenerion June- dry to bees, (Evening Fireweed 1-3m purplish-pink sun angustifolium August moist hummingbirds Primrose) Orobanchaeceae Common Red sun to partial Castilleja miniata 0.8m red April-May dry bees (Broom-rape) Paintbrush shade Polygonaceae Eriogonum 0.1- bees, beetles, Sulphur Buckwheat yellow June sun dry (Buckwheat) umbellatum 0.3m butterfl ies 0.1- sun to partial dry to bees, other Polygonum douglasii Douglas’ Knotweed white July-August X 0.4m shade moist insects orange-red Ranunculaceae up to sun to partial normal to bees, butterfl ies, Aquilegia formosa Sitka Columbine sepals; yellow March-April (Buttercup) 0.5m shade moist hummingbirds inner petals 0.2- sun to partial Aquilegia fl avescens Yellow Columbine yellow May-June moist bees 0.7m shade Delphinium bees, Upland Larkspur 0.4m deep blue March-April sun dry nuttallianum hummingbirds up to partial shade moist to bees, other Rosaceae (Rose) Fragaria vesca Wood Strawberry white April-May 0.3m to shade dry insects up to sun to partial moist to bees, other Fragaria virginiana Wild Strawberry white April-May 0.3m shade dry insects sun to partial bees, other Geum macrophyllum Large-leaved Avens 0.3-1m yellow May-June moist shade insects 0.2- pink-pale sun to partial bees, other Geum trifl orum Old Man’s Whiskers March-April dry 0.4m lavender shade insects sun to partial moist to bees, butterfl ies, Potentilla gracilis Slender Cinquefoil 0.4m yellow June-July shade dry other insects

continued on page 20

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 19 continued from page 19 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Columbia Mountains and Highlands

Also Family Botanical Name Common Name Height Flower Flower Sun Soil Pollinators a Colour Season host up to sun to partial Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil reddish purple June-July wet bees, fl ies 1 m shade Rubiaceae 0.2- moist to Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw creamy white April-May sun beetles, fl ies (Madder) 0.8m dry Nectar source for Saxifragaceae Round-leaf 0.3- sun to partial hummingbirds Heuchera cylindrica white-cream May-July dry (Saxifrage) Alumroot 0.5m shade and pollinator insects Urticaceae Urtica dioica spp. Native Stinging sun to partial moist to 1-3m whiteish July-August bees, butterfl ies X (Nettle) Gracilis Nettle shade wet Violaceae 0.02- sun to partial dry to Viola adunca Sand Violet violet April-June bees, butterfl ies X (Violet) 0.1m shade moist 0.1- sun to partial dry to Viola canadensis Canada Violet white April-June bees, butterfl ies X 0.4m shade moist 0.05- sun to partial mesic to Viola glabella Stream Violet yellow April-May bees, butterfl ies X 0.3m shade moist 0.03- sun to partial mesic to Viola orbiculata Round-leaved Violet yellow April-May bees, butterfl ies X 0.05m shade moist 0.05- sun to partial moist to Viola palustris Alpine Marsh Violet whitish purple April-May bees, butterfl ies X 0.2m shade wet Vines Caprifoliaceae Western Trumpet up to orange-yellow sun to partial dry to bees, other Lonicera ciliosa May-July (Valerian) Honeysuckle 6m to red shade moist insects Shelter Plants Dryopteridaceae 0.3- sun to partial moist to Athyrium fi lix-femina Lady Fern (Wood Fern) 1.8m shade wet up to sun to partial Dryopteris expansa Spiny Wood Fern moist 1m shade dry to 0.3- sun to partial moist, Festuca idahoensis Idaho Fescue X 0.9m shade well- drained Needle-and-Thread 0.2- Hesperostipa comata sun dry X Grass 0.5m 0.2- dry, well- Koeleria macrantha Junegrass sun X 0.5m drained Nectar source for Pseudoroegneria Bluebunch up to dry, well- sun Skipper & Satyr X spicata Wheatgrass 1m drained butterlies

20 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Notes

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 21 Habitat Hints FOR THE Columbia Mountains and Highlands

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 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 Sunfl owers 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 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

22 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 fl owers from the beginning of spring bloom to the fall. Honey bees visit crops when they are in bloom and forage on a diversity of wildfl owers 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 fl ower 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 fl ying 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 fl owers. 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 fl ower 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 fl owers during the morning when pollen and nectar resources are abundant.

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 23 A Basic Checklist

S.H.A.R.E. - simply Have areas reserved for the environment. n Planting for pollinators is the fi rst 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 fi eld 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 fl owers 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 local conservation organization 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!

24 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 Native Plants plants in your area. Native Plant Society of British Columbia Ecoregion profi le www.npsbc.ca Environment Canada Ecozones Program—Columbia Mountains and Highlands http://www.ecozones.ca/english/region/205.html E Flora BC www.efl ora.bc.ca/ Government of BC, Ministry of Environment https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and- Royal BC Museum Native ecosystems/ecosystems/broad-ecosystem/an_introduction_to_the_ Plant Garden ecoregions_of_british_columbia.pdf www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Ministry of Environment Pollination/Pollinators British Columbia www.env.gov.bc.ca/ Pollinator Partnership www.pollinator.org Feedback

North American Pollinator Protection Campaign We need your help to create better www.nappc.org guides for other parts of North America. Please e-mail your input Pollination Canada to [email protected]. www.pollinationcanada.ca n How will you use this guide? Seeds of Diversity www.seeds.ca n Do you fi nd the directions Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility: Butterfl ies of Canada clear? If not, please tell us www.cbif.gc.ca/eng/species-bank/butterfl ies-of-canada/?id=1370403265518 what is unclear.

North American Butterfl y Association n Is there any information you www.naba.org feel is missing from the guide?

Canadian Honey Council n Any other comments? www.honeycouncil.ca

Buchmann, S.L. and G.P. Nabhan. 1997. The Forgotten Pollinators Thank you Island Press: Washington, DC. for taking Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America. 2007. Status of the time to help! Pollinators in North America The National Academies Press: Washington, DC.

Columbia Mountains and Highlands 25 Research and Writing: Victoria Wojcik, Lora Morandin, Jennifer Lotz

Editorial: Jennifer Lotz, Victoria Wojcik, Lora Morandin,

Design: Marguerite Meyer

Funding: TransCanada

Contributors: Ray Coupes, Regional Ecologist, BC Forest Service Valerie Huff, Plant Ecologist and Restoration Specialist, Kootenay Native Plant Society Michael Keefer, Plant Ecologist, Keefer Ecological Services Lynn Westcott, Entomologist, Westcott Environmental Services

Photo Contributors: Cover Orangetip butterfl y photo, Ken Schneider, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode Cover Nemo Falls photo, Amanda TQ Cover Kootenay National Park photo, Tatsuo115

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 26 Selecting Plants for Pollinators