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Pollinator Garden Resources
Pollinator Garden Resources
Come back often. This page will be updated with new resources and materials, notices of workshops and events, as well as updates about how this program is moving forward with the city, partner organizations and residents.
Check the sidebar for fun and interesting videos and articles about pollinators!
How many native bees live in Colorado and what can we do to help them thrive?
There are over 950 species of bees in Colorado. They are all different sizes, shapes and colors. Take a close look around your yard, in parks and natural lands to discover some of the amazing insects that provide food for us, birds, mammals and other animals and that create much of the natural beauty that surrounds us.
What should I plant in my garden?
Remember some basic rules of thumb - choose native plants that bloom throughout the season and provide a variety of colors, flower shapes and types to attract and feed all different sorts of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, birds and other wildlife. Expect some leaf damage, since caterpillars need to eat too. Ask questions when purchasing plants and seed. Have the plants been pretreated with pesticides, particularly systemic pesticides? Pretreated plants can harm the pollinators you're trying to help. Look for retailers who provide safe plants.
- See a list of low-water native plants that support pollinators.
- This publication from the Colorado Native Plant Society provides more details about gardening with native plants, including design, maintenance and watering.
- Open Space and Mountain Parks provides tips and suggestions for gardening with native plants .
Don't use pesticides!
Many common lawn and garden products contain insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides that are toxic to bees. Some products can kill pollinators outright or weaken their immune system, affect their behavior so that they can’t remember how to get back to their nests or groom themselves and can affect their reproduction. Those products are systemic, meaning that they are taken up by the roots of the plants or through the surface of the leaves and distribute throughout the plant, including the nectar and pollen collected by bees. These flowers attract bees and then potentially harm them. The city banned the use of a group of systemic insecticides, the neonicotinoids, on public property to protect bees and many other insects and animals. The Xerces Society provides a brochure that lists the names of the neonicotinoid ingredients and some common products that contain them.
Other garden projects
A number of organizations have special programs for native plant gardening, pollinator gardens, wildlife gardens and more. The objective for the Boulder Pollinator Garden Project is to combine all of these programs to better understand the quality and amount of pollinator and wildlife habitat in Boulder. If you've already signed up with one of these programs, we still need you to add this information to the Boulder Pollinator Garden map. This information will be used to improve and expand crucial urban habitat. You can add a Boulder Pollinator Garden sticker to your existing sign. Just contact the city (see details below).
These organizations have programs for urban habitat:
Audubon Rockies Habitat Hero Program
People and Pollinators Action Network – Pollinator Safe Neighborhoods Program
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation – Bring Back the Pollinators Pledge
The National Wildlife Federation Garden Certification Program
Other important features for pollinator gardens
Make a safe watering hole for bees
Leave the Leaves
Outgrowing the Traditional Grass Lawn
Workshops, Events and More
The network of partners who work to protect pollinators in our community offer a wide assortment of opportunities to learn more about gardening, pollinator protection, crafts, art and more. There's something for everyone!
Check out the full calendar of pollinator-related events.
CONTACT US
Email Rella Abernathy ● 303-441-1901