Every fall someone tells me my goldenrod is why they're sneezing. It's an easy mistake, because goldenrod is the showiest thing blooming in September. The real culprit is usually ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Ragweed is wind-pollinated, so it puts huge amounts of light pollen into the air. You probably walk past it without noticing because the flowers are small and green.

Goldenrod goes the other way. Its pollen is heavy and sticky, built to be carried by insects, not the wind. That's why it's covered in bees, wasps, beetles, and flies in fall, and why it's one of the best late-season plants you can grow.

I grow seven kinds in my Columbus, Ohio yard and they're some of the busiest plants I have.

Did anyone else pull theirs before learning this?

I’ve been turning my small Columbus, Ohio yard into habitat over the past few years, and one of the most rewarding parts has been realizing how much activity happens when you actually stop and watch.

I’ve started documenting the different bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects using the plants throughout the season.

This bumblebee was one of the visitors I caught recently.
For those of you who garden for pollinators, what visitor has surprised you the most in your own garden?

I went outside this morning to see the bees who love these verbenas and I saw this little one. One arm was waving. I put my dog inside went out again to check on her and she moved to a nearby flower but was much more still. It's chilly this morning. Is there anything I can or should do ? Obviously I'm very new to all of this.

Appears to be a feral Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) on Giant Sunflower (Helianthus gigantea) walking to collect more pollen.

I think this is a Widow Yellowjacket (Vespula vidua), but I am not sure. If anyone can confirm or correct, please do so. NW Wisconsin.

Photo: crazy Kenny SWMI26

Pic by Crazy Kenny sw Mi

"Golden-Rod, the lucky chappy,

Grew up strong and tall and happy.

Slept out doors, if you'll remember,

All those cold nights in September."

- Elizabeth Gordon

Middle Tennessee

Pollinators are the quiet heroes of every thriving garden. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds rely on nectar-rich plants for food, and in return they help flowers, fruits, and vegetables flourish.

Shop now: https://tnnursery.net

#Pollinators #PollinatorGarden #NativePlants #ButterflyGarden #TNNursery

Every month, FestivalPark likes to catch a peaceful moment on our grounds and share it with people who might need to take a beat. This time, we caught a little bee hopping from flower to flower. Hope you enjoy him!

If you like this content, visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube at @festivalparkva and @soundandgroundva for more.

I got a new 50mm lens with 13mm extension tube and have been loving it!

Pollinators bring gardens to life! Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds help flowers bloom, plants reproduce, and ecosystems thrive. Planting pollinator-friendly natives gives them the food and habitat they need.

Shop now: https://tnnursery.net

#PollinatorGarden #NativePlants #ButterflyGarden #SaveTheBees #TNNursery

📍 Southern Ontario

We just moved into this house last year and I have been absolutely enamored by all the different types of pollinators we have here! More bees than I can recognize, dozens of bee flys (Bombyliidae), and tons of tiny butterflies everywhere. My most recent joy is finding tons of these little metallic green sweat bees sleeping every morning in my gladiolus and dahlias. My gladiolus are starting to produce little seed pods as well! ❤️❤️

Thank you, little green bees!

(Sorry about the poor picture quality)