Page 48 - At Home Prince Edward County

Remember the Birds the Bees
&
.... and invite them to dine in your garden!

by Barry Matthie/Bonibrae Daylilies

n 2020 we all suffered, whether it was We recognized that birds and bees are al-
from isolation and separation from ways here for us, helping us to forget
Ifamily or tough times financially. For things that trouble us as we watch them
many, gardening was an escape because go about the business of just living.
it takes your mind off everything else. The boom in people’s awareness of
Being isolated and segregated from gardening has been a blessing for our
other people created a gardening boom. winged friends. What is beautiful in our
People wanted to beautify their space, eyes is also takeout dinner for them! Our
occupy their mind, create a place of sol- gardening efforts can help them, so keep
ace and along the way suddenly redis- up the great work, tend your garden and
covered Mother Nature and all her you’ll be helping out our small and busy
splendid creatures! friends. There are a lot of plants that are
Flora and fauna prevailed, creatures great sources of pollen (that’s the entrée)
came out of the woods to entertain us, and nectar (like a wine to accompany
and a simple backyard became A Project. dinner.) Here are a few of those plants.

Salvia - a kind of super food. Plant several colours of these prolific
Perennial Salvias (also known as Sage) bloomers to provide ample amounts of
are mainstays of a midsummer garden pollen and nectar, super food for the
border, blooming from summer to birds and bees!
autumn. Planted in spring, these Hostas – always a favourite.
aromatic beauties are great for cutting. Hardy perennial Hostas are perfect for
Hummingbirds and butterflies love the gardens that don’t get much sun. Reli-
tubular flowers, bees adore them too, so able, easy to grow and long lived – they
plant them to attract pretty pollinators! might even outlive the gardener! All
More good news? Salvia does not tend Hostas bloom and there are lots of sizes,
to attract deer or rabbits, the distinctive, heights, textures and colors to work with.
pungent odor of the leaves is repellent to They fit beautifully into patios, borders,
garden pests. Heat and drought tolerant, container, rock and shade gardens and
salvias are survivors and grow from 18 are cold-hardy, too. Most have a spread
inches to 5 feet tall, depending on variety. and height between one and three feet,
but larger and smaller varieties are avail-
Salvia able. Leaf colors include variegated
white, lime green, and blue-green to
name just a few, and the texture and
shape of hosta leaves are diverse:
smooth, narrow, ridged, heart-shaped.
Mainly known for attractive foliage, they
produce lovely flowers from early sum-
mer to early fall in pink, lavender, light
blue or white. Flowers can be fragrant de-
pending in the variety. Hummingbirds
and other pollinators love them!
48 @HOME CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION & GARDENING DIRECTORY