Despite their crucial role in ecological interactions and environmental health, pollinators continue to be endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Fortunately, your landscape can help preserve local pollinators by incorporating the right plants, avoiding pesticides, and providing essential nutrients. Encourage and protect bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with sustainable and professional landscaping services.
Northern Virginia Landscaping is a sustainability-focused landscaping company near Alexandria, VA. We believe all landscaping should both look beautiful and support the surrounding environment. Our clients love us because we go above and beyond, as you can read in our reviews. For landscaping done right, contact NV Landscaping at (703) 982-0100.
Below, we discuss a few ways you can keep pollinators safe:
1. Use Native, Larval Host, & Dead Plants
Work with your landscapers to choose and plant native perennials in clusters throughout your garden. Indigenous to the region, these species flourish from early spring to late fall. Native plants thrive because they prefer the local climate, soil, and pollinators. Additionally, your landscapers can incorporate day-blooming plants that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds rather than moths and bats.
Of course, if you want beautiful butterflies, you must provide for their caterpillars as well. To do so, ask your landscapers to include larval host plants in your garden. These plants are often unattractive and will get eaten, so consider planting them behind prettier ones.
Leave dead trees or limbs around your property as nesting sites for native bees. Place these out of sight if you’d like to prevent them from becoming a safety hazard. If you’d like to be more proactive in encouraging bees to visit your garden, try making a man-made nesting site.
2. Avoid Certain Plants & Pesticides
In contrast to using certain plants, you should avoid others, including foreign and invasive species. Such plants may not only struggle in or disturb the surrounding environment but also be unfamiliar and unwelcoming to local pollinators. Moreover, avoid modern hybrid flowers—especially those with “doubled” flowers—since they often lack the pollen, nectar, and fragrance necessary for pollination.
Also, make your garden more eco-friendly by avoiding pesticides. If you must use them, check their label and make sure they consist of natural ingredients. Then, use suitable substances at night to avoid disturbing active pollinators.
3. Provide Nectar & Salt
Support local pollinators by making artificial nectar with ⅘ water and ⅕ sugar and putting it in a feeder. This “nectar” should include nothing besides plain sugar and water. Also, put something red on the feeder and clean it twice a week with hot, soapy water.
Use drip irrigation or place a dish on the ground to provide a wet area. Then, mix some salt (sea salt offers a wider range of micronutrients) or wood ashes into the puddle to create a damp salt lick for local pollinators.
Professional Landscaping Company Near Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Landscaping provides eco-friendly, professional landscaping services to the Alexandria, VA, area. Our expert landscapers can help you identify pollinators in your area and plant a garden that encourages them to visit. We also account for everything from sunlight to drainage during each landscaping project to ensure the best possible results. For all things landscaping, call us at (703) 982-0100 today.
