Selecting

Plants

for

Pollinators

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

Fescue Grassland Ecoregion

Calgary, Beiseker,

Okotoks, ,

and Table of CONTENTS

Why Support Pollinators? 4

Getting Started 5

Fescue Grassland 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 24

Habitat and Nesting requirements 25

This is one of several guides for S.H.A.R.E. 26 different regions of North America. We welcome your feedback to assist us in making the future guides Checklist 26 useful. Please contact us at [email protected] Resources and Feedback 27

2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Selecting Plants for Pollinators

A Guide for

Gardeners, Farmers,

and Land Managers

In the

Fescue Grassland

Ecoregion

Calgary,

Beiseker,

Okotoks,

Cardston,

and High River

A NAPPC and Pollinator Partnership Canada™ Publication

Fescue Grassland 3 Why support pollinators?

In their 1996 book, The Forgotten Pollinators, Buchmann and Nabhan estimated that pollinators are needed for the reproduction “Flowering plants 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. Pasture and cropland make up 69% of the total land area within the Fescue Grassland ecoregion. The major crops grown in actually feed the this region are grains and oilseed. Some of the crops 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 pollinators and inappropriate use of pesticides. As a result research and conservation 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 Fescue Grassland tools designed to provide you with is a system created as a management ecoregion, 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 Fescue Grassland in the landscape. In choosing enough space to raise their young. ecoregion. 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.

Fescue Grassland 5 Understanding the Fescue Grassland

n The Fescue ecoregion is found along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern . Most of the ecoregion is now crop and pasture land, with some remnant native habitat, urban and recreational areas. The fescue grasslands are some of the most threatened plant communities in the Canadian prairies. There are concerns of their loss as a result of development, woodland encroachment, the introduction of exotic species, and overgrazing.

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 Over 13,000 square kilometres or 2% of Alberta’s total land area.

n Elevation ranges from sea level to 730 metres.

n Mean annual temperature is 3.5 °C, with a mean summer temperature of 14 °C and a mean winter temperature of −8 °C.

n Mean annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 500 mm.

n Hardiness Zones: 9-10.

Characteristics

n Dominated by rough fescue grass, the largest area of rough fescue grassland in the world.

n Trees are found only in very sheltered locations along some of the waterways.

n Approximately 70% of the total land area in the ecoregion is devoted to agriculture.

6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators The Fescue Grassland Ecoregion includes: Calgary, Beiseker, Okotoks, Cardston, and High River

Fescue Grassland 7 Meet the Pollinators Who are the tomatoes and blueberries. Sweat bees (family Halictidae) are pollinators? medium to small-sized, slender bees Bees that commonly nest underground. Bees are the best documented Various species are solitary while pollinators in the natural and others form loose colonies, nesting agricultural landscapes of the side-by-side. Other common solitary ecoregion. A wide range of wild bees include mining bees (Andrena and crop plants, including plants in spp.), which nest underground and the Aster and Rose Families, canola, are common in the spring; leaf- specialty crops, and some forage cutter bees (Megachile spp.), which crops benefit from bee pollinators. prefer dead trees or branches for their nest sites; and mason bees Most of us are familiar with the (Osmia spp.), which utilize cavities colonies of honey bees that have they find in stems and dead wood been the workhorses of agricultural that they fill with mud. pollination for years in Canada. They were imported from Europe Butterfl ies almost 400 years ago and continue prefer open and sunny to be managed for honey production areas such as meadows and along and pollination services. There are woodland edges that provide bright over 800 species of native ground flowers, water sources, and specific and twig nesting bees in Canada. host plants for their caterpillars. Most of these bee species live a Photo courtesy of Tim Dunne Photo courtesy of Tim Gardeners have been attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a solitary life; a minority are social and butterflies to their gardens for some summer species in the Fescue form colonies or nest in aggregations. time. To encourage butterflies place Grassland ecoregion. Native bees visit and pollinate flowering plants where they have many crops; in many cases they full sun and are protected from the are better at transferring pollen wind. They usually look for flowers than honey bees. Our native bees that provide a good landing platform. can be encouraged to do more to Butterflies need open areas (e.g., support agricultural endeavours if bare earth, large stones) where their needs for nesting habitat are they can bask, and moist soil from met and if suitable sources of nectar, which they wick needed minerals. pollen, and water are provided. Bees Butterflies eat rotten fruit and even Plains Branded come in a variety of body shapes dung, so don’t clean up all the messes and sizes, and even have tongues in your garden! By providing a safe of different lengths. Native bees place to eat and nest, gardeners can visit the widest range of flowers and also support the pollination role that crops of any pollinator group. butterflies play in the landscape. The Prairies Ecozone has over 2,200 Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) form species of butterflies and moths. In small colonies, usually underground the Fescue Grassland ecoregion it making use of old rodent burrows or is common to see the Grey Copper dense thatches. They are generalists, (Lycaena dione), the Gorgone feeding on a wide range of plant Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone), the types from May to September Alberta Arctic ( alberta), the and are important pollinators of Plains Skipper ( assiniboia). Photo © Bryan E. Reynolds

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 Dusky Dune Butterfly antennae are simple with a shade and in seasonally moist Moth, as well as threatened and swelling at the end. Moth antennae habitats, but are also economically special concern species. Some differ from simple to featherlike, important as pollinators for a range pollinator species have already been but never have a swelling at the tip. of annual and bulbous ornamental extirpated from some regions of Butterfly bodies are not very hairy, flowers. Plants pollinated by flies Canada such as Ridings’ satyr moth while moth bodies are quite hairy include the American pawpaw (Neominois ridingsiiy), which is no and much more stout. In addition, (Asimina triloba), skunk cabbage longer found in Manitoba. Other butterflies typically are active (Symplocarpus foetidus), goldenrod species such as the Yellow-banded during the day; moths at night. (Solidago spp.), and members of the Bumble Bee (Bombus terricola) They are attracted to flowers that carrot family. were once common across much are strongly sweet smelling, open of Canada, but it is now rare in the in late afternoon or night, and are Birds prairies and other southern parts of typically white or pale coloured. Hummingbirds are the primary birds that play a role in pollination its range. Because habitat loss is one Beetles in North America. Their long beaks of the largest threats facing many pollinators, the very best thing you There are more than 9000 species and tongues draw nectar from can do is plant for them. of beetles in Canada and many of tubular flowers. Pollen is carried them can be found easily by looking on both their beaks and feathers. Regions closer to the tropics, inside flower heads. Gardeners Dusky Dune Moth have yet to intentionally draw with warmer climates, boast the beetles to their gardens, possibly largest number of hummingbird • The dusky dune moth because beetle watching isn’t species and the greatest number (Copablepharon longipenne) is as inspiring as butterfly or bird of native plants to support their found in Canada from southern watching. Yet beetles do play a role need for food. The Ruby-throated Manitoba, Saskatchewan, to in pollination. Some have a bad Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Alberta. reputation because they can leave is a common summer species in the Prairie Ecozone. • It is a habitat specialist, requiring a mess behind, damaging plant sparsely vegetated sand dunes. parts as they eat pollen. Beetle Hummingbirds can see the colour pollinated plants tend to be large, red; bees cannot. Many tropical • Little is known about it’s biology strong scented flowers and have the flowers grown as annuals, along or adult and larval feeding anthers and stigma exposed. Beetles with native woodland edge plants, requirements. attract hummingbirds. are known to pollinate magnolia, • Populations are thought to be paw paws, and yellow pond lilies. Bats declining at a rate of 10-20% per Flies Though bat species in Canada are decade. It may be hard to imagine why not pollinators, bats in the south • Vegetation alterations, livestock one would want to attract flies western United States and Mexico grazing, and recreational activities to the garden. However, flies are are important pollinators of agave are likely the biggest threats to one of the most diverse group and cactus. The head shape and this species. of pollinators. They include long tongues of nectar bats allows them to delve into flower blossoms • The dusky dune moth is colouful flower flies and hover considered endangered in Canada flies (Syrphidae), active bee flies and extract both pollen and nectar; pollen covers their hairy bodies and and is protected under the species (Bombyliidae), and tiny midges at risk act (SARA). that visit many plant species. Like is transfer as they move from plant bees, flies are hairy and can easily to plant.

Fescue Grassland 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; yellotw, 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; yellotw, 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

Fescue Grassland 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

Many oilseed, forage crops, and • Consider using Integrated Pest with temporary cover crops that specialty crops are grown in the Management (IPM) strategies to can provide food or with a variety Canadian prairies, and they will control pests. Use insecticides that of trees, shrubs, and flowers that benefit from strong native bee cause the least harm to non-target provide both food and shelter for populations that boost pollination organisms and only use when pests pollinators. efficiency. Incorporate different reach economic thresholds. • Check with local not-for-profit plants throughout the farm that • Carefully consider the use of organizations, or government provide food for native populations herbicides. Some weeds can provide agencies to see what technical when targeted crops are not in needed food for pollinators. support might be available to assist flower. • Minimize tillage to protect ground you in your effort to provide nectar, Farmers have many opportunities nesting pollinators. pollen, and larval food sources for to incorporate pollinator-friendly • Consider creating designated pollinators on your farm. land management practices on their permanently untilled areas for 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. • Plant unused areas of the farm Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert

Fescue Grassland 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 prairies, 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.

Fescue Grassland 15 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Fescue Grassland

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.

Flower Flower Also a Botanical Name Common Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Colour Season host Trees and Shrubs sun to partial Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon serviceberry up to 5m white April - July moist to dry bees, flies X shade Arctostaphylos uva- less than bees, kinnikinnick pink April - June sun to shade dry to moist X ursi 1m hummingbirds Cornus sericea [C. red-osier dogwood up to 4m white May - June partial shade moist butterflies X stolonifera] Crataegus sun to partial normal to round leaved hawthorn up to 5m white May - June flies X chrysocarpa shade moist Dasiphora fruticosa up to yellow,white to June - shrubby cinquefoil sun dry to normal bees, butterflies X var. floribunda 1.2m cream September sun to partial Elaeagnus commutata silverberry up to 5m yellow Jun - July dry bees shade up to sun to partial Populus tremuloides trembling aspen green to brown March - April dry to wet butterflies X 25m shade up to Prunus pensylvanica pin cherry white April - May sun dry to moist bees 15m up to normal to bees, butterflies, Prunus virginiana chokecherry white May - July sun to shade X 10m moist moths up to yellow, green, sun to partial Quercus macrocarpa bur oak April - May dry to wet butterflies X 18m brown shade Ribes aurem var. sun to partial bees, butterflies, golden currant up to 3m yellow, red April - June dry to moist X aurem shade hummingbirds up to sun to partial Rosa acicularis prickly rose pink June - July dry to wet bees 1.5m shade less than May - Rosa arkansana prairie rose pink sun dry to moist bees, butterflies 1m September up to Rosa woodsii Wood’s rose pink May - July sun to shade dry to moist bees 1.5m Rubus idaeus sun to partial American red raspberry up to 2m white to cream June - July dry to moist bees, butterflies strigosus shade up to sun to partial Salix amygdaloides peachleaf willow yellow April - May moist butterflies X 20m shade white to cream, sun to partial Salix bebbiana beaked willow up to 5m April - May moist to wet butterflies X green to brown shade Shepherdia argentea buffaloberry up to 4m white May sun dry to moist bees up to white to cream, sun to partial Symphoricarpos albus common snowberry May - July dry to moist bees 1.2m pink shade Symphoricarpos western snowberry up to 1m white to pink June - August sun dry to normal bees occidentalis Viburnum edule highbush cranberry up to 2m white May - June sun to shade moist bees, butterflies

16 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Flower Flower Also a Botanical Name Common Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Colour Season host Forbs less than April - sun to partial Achillea millefolium common yarrow white to pink dry bees X 1m October shade up to sun to partial bees, butterflies, Agastache foeniculum lavender hyssop blue, purple July - August dry to normal 1.2m shade hummingbirds less than white to cream, Allium cernuum July - August sun dry to moist bees, butterflies 1m pink less than Allium textile prairie onion white to cream May - June sun dry bees, butterflies 1m Anaphalis less than July - pearly everlasting white to cream sun dry bees, butterflies X margaritacea 1m September less than normal to Anemone canadensis Canada anemone white to cream April - August sun to shade bees 1m moist blue, yellow, red, less than normal to Anemone multifida cut-leaved anemone purple, white to April - July sun to shade bees, flies 1m moist cream, pink Asclepias speciosa showy milkweed up to 1m white to pink June -August sun moist bees, butterflies X Astragalus agrestis purple milkvetch up to 1m purple May - August sun dry bees, butterflies Astragalus less than sun to partial ground plum blue, purple April - May dry bees, butterflies X crassicarpus 1m shade Campanula less than June - sun to partial harebell, bluebell blue, purple dry to normal hummingbirds rotundifolia 1m September shade Chamerion up to July - bees, butterflies, fireweed purple, pink sun dry to moist X augustifolium 1.8m September hummingbirds less than Comandra umbellata bastard toadflax white to cream April - June sun dry butterflies X 1m less than Dalea candida white prairie clover white to cream July - August sun dry to normal bees, butterflies 1m less than June - Dalea purpurea purple prairie clover purple, pink sun dry butterflies 1m September less than Delphinium bicolor little larkspur blue to purple May - July sun dry bees 1m bees, butterflies, Delphinium glaucum Sierra larkspur up to 2m purple July - August partial shade moist to wet hummingbirds narrow leaved purple less than Echinacea angustifolia purple June - July sun dry to normal butterflies coneflower 1m less than sun to partial Erigeron glabellus smooth fleabane blue, purple, pink July - August dry to normal bees, butterflies 1m shade less than Erigeron strigosus prairie fleabane white to pink April - May sun dry to normal bees, butterflies 1m up to yellow, blue, August - sun to partial Eurybia conspicua showy aster dry to moist bees, butterflies 1.2m purple September shade

continued on page 18

Fescue Grassland 17 continued from page 17 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Fescue Grassland

Flower Flower Also a Botanical Name Common Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Colour Season host normal to Euthamia graminifolia flat-top goldentop up to 1m yellow July - October sun bees, butterflies moist less than sun to partial Fragaria virginiana Virginia strawberry white May - August dry bees, butterflies X 1m shade less than Gaillardia aristata blanket flower yellow, red July - August sun dry to normal butterflies 1m less than sun to partial normal to Galium boreale northern bedstraw white to cream May - August flies, beetles 1m shade moist white to cream, Geranium richardsonii Richardon’s geranium up to 1m June - August partial shade moist bees, beetles pink Geranium less than sun to partial bees, butterflies, sticky purple geranium purple, pink May - August moist viscosisimum 1m shade flies less than sun to partial Geum triflorum prairie smoke purple, pink May - June dry bees, butterflies 1m shade partial shade Glycyrrhiza lepidota wild licorice up to 1m yellow, white May - June moist bees, butterflies X to shade less than June - Grindelia squarrosa curlycup gumweed yellow sun dry to normal bees 1m September less than July - Gutierrezia sarothrae common broomweed yellow sun dry bees, flies 1m September less than sun to partial normal to Hedysarum boreale northern sweetvetch red, purple April - August bees, butterflies X 1m shade moist up to August - Helenium autumnale sneezeweed yellow sun moist bees, butterflies X 1.5m October up to Helianthus annuus common sunflower yellow July - October sun dry butterflies X 1.2m up to August - normal to Helianthus nuttallii Nuttall’s sunflower yellow sun bees, flies 1.8m September moist July - Helianthus pauciflorus stiff sunflower up to 2m yellow sun dry bees, flies September less than bees, flies, Heterotheca villosa hairy golden aster yellow July - October sun dry 1m butterflies purple, white to bees, flies, less than sun to partial Heuchera richardsonii alumroot cream, green to June - July dry to moist hummingbirds, 1m shade brown butterflies less than sun to partial Lilium philadelphicum wood lily red, orange June - August dry hummingbirds 1m shade less than butterflies, Liatris ligulistylis meadow blazingstar purple, pink July - August sun dry to normal 1m hummingbirds less than August - Liatris punctata dotted blazingstar purple, pink sun dry to normal bees, butterflies X 1m October

18 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Flower Flower Also a Botanical Name Common Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Colour Season host less than March - Linum lewisii wild blue flax blue, purple sun dry to normal bees, butterflies 1m September Maianthemum starry false Solomon’s less than partial shade white to cream May - June dry to moist bees, flies stellatum seal 1m to shade less than sun to partial bees, butterflies, Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot pink-purple May - August dry to moist 2m shade hummingbirds bees, butterflies, yellow evening- sun to partial Oenothera biennis up to 2m yellow July - October dry to moist hummingbirds, primrose shade moths Pediomelum less than white, purple, breadroot June - August sun dry to normal bees, butterflies esculentum 1m blue less than Penstemon albidus white beardtongue white April - June sun dry bees 1m lilac-flowered less than bees, Penstemon gracilis purple May - June partial shade moist beardtongue 1m hummingbirds less than Phlox hoodii moss phlox white, pink, blue April - June sun dry bees, butterflies 1m less than sun to partial Polygala senega seneca snakeroot white to cream May - July dry to moist moths X 1m shade less than June - Potentilla arguta white cinquefoil white to cream sun dry to normal bees, flies 1m September Ranunculus less than prairie buttercup yellow April - May sun dry bees rhomboideus 1m less than bees, butterflies, Ratibida columnifera prairie coneflower yellow, brown July - August sun dry 1m flies less than June - sun to partial Rudbeckia hirta blackeyed Susan yellow dry to moist bees, butterflies X 1m September shade Sisyrinchium less than bees, flies, blue-eyed grass blue, purple May - July sun to shade dry to wet montanum 1m butterflies September - sun to partial Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod up to 2m yellow dry to moist bees, butterflies October shade July - Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod up to 1m yellow sun dry to normal bees, butterflies September August - sun to partial Solidago nemoralis grey goldenrod up to 1m yellow dry bees, butterflies October shade Symphyotrichum Lindley’s aster up to 1m blue, purple July - October sun dry to normal butterflies X ciliolatum Symphyotrichum less than August - heath aster white to cream sun dry to moist bees, butterflies X ericoides 1m October Symphyotrichum creeping white prairie less than August - white to cream sun dry bees, butterflies falcatum aster 1m September

continued on page 20

Fescue Grassland 19 continued from page 19 Plants that attract pollinators in THE Fescue Grassland

Flower Flower Also a Botanical Name Common Name Height Sun Soil Pollinators Colour Season host August - sun to partial Symphyotrichum laeve smooth blue aster up to 1m purple dry bees September shade Thermopsis less than goldenbean yellow May - June sun dry bees, butterflies rhombifolia 1m less than sun to partial Vicia americana American vetch purple May - July dry to moist bees, butterflies 1m shade less than partial shade Viola adunca hookespur violet blue, purple April - July dry to moist bees 1m to shade less than sun to partial Zizia aptera heart leaved alexander yellow May - June normal bees 1m shade Vines yellow, red, sun to partial bees, butterflies, Lonicera dioica glaucous honeysuckle up to 3m May - July dry to moist orange, purple shade hummingbirds Shelter Plants less than July - sun to partial blue gramma yellow dry to normal X 1m September shade less than Carex duriuscula needleleaf sedge n/a June - August sun dry 1m yellow, green, Elymus canadensis Canada wildrye up to 1m March - June sun moist X brown up to halli rough fescue n/a June - August sun dry 1.3m less than sun to partial June grass yellow June - July dry to normal 1m shade Schizachyrium less than yellow, green, June - little bluestem sun dry X scoparium 1m brown December

20 Selecting Plants for Pollinators NOTES

Fescue Grassland 21 NOTES

22 Selecting Plants for Pollinators NOTES

Fescue Grassland 23 Habitat Hints FOR THE Lake Manitoba Plain

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

24 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.

Fescue Grassland 25 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!

26 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Resources

Many books, websites, and people were consulted to gather information for Native Plants this guide. Use this list as a starting point to learn more about pollinators and plants in your area. Environment Canada http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/ Prairies/plants.html Ecoregion profi le

Environment Canada Ecozones Program—Fescue Grassland Devonian Botanic Garden http://ecozones.ca/english/region/158.html https://devonian.ualberta.ca/

Environment Canada Ecozones—Fescue Grassland Alberta Native Plant Council http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-002-x/2011001/part-partie4-eng.htm http://anpc.ab.ca/

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Pollination/Pollinators http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/ Pollinator Partnership www.pollinator.org Feedback North American Pollinator Protection Campaign www.nappc.org We need your help to create better guides for other parts of North Pollination Canada America. Please e-mail your input www.pollinationcanada.ca to [email protected].

Seeds of Diversity n How will you use this guide? www.seeds.ca n Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility: Butterflies of Canada Do you find the directions www.cbif.gc.ca/eng/species-bank/butterflies-of-canada/?id=1370403265518 clear? If not, please tell us what is unclear. North American Butterfly Association www.naba.org n Is there any information you feel is missing from the guide? Canadian Honey Council www.honeycouncil.ca n Any other comments? Buchmann, S.L. and G.P. Nabhan. 1997. The Forgotten Pollinators Island Press: Washington, DC. Thank you

Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America. 2007. Status of for taking Pollinators in North America The National Academies Press: Washington, DC. the time to help!

Fescue Grassland 27 Research and Writing: Susan Thom, Lora Morandin, Zach Cameron

Editorial: Victoria Wojcik, Lora Morandin

Design: Marguerite Meyer

Contributors: Diana Robson, Dana Bush

Photo Contributors: Bryan E. Reynolds, Tim Dunne

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 28 Selecting Plants for Pollinators