How to Start a Native Pollinator Garden in PEI

Start a native pollinator garden in PEI by planning for flowers from early spring to late fall, planting native species in groups and leaving room for bees to nest. Pollinator Partnership Canada's planting guide for the Prince Edward Island ecoregion also recommends cutting pesticide use to a minimum or dropping it entirely.

Why Plan for Flowers Across the Whole Season?

Pollinators need food for as long as they are active, so a bed that flowers only in July leaves them short in spring and fall. The PEI ecoregion guide advises planning for bloom from early spring to late fall, and its plant table lists the bloom period of each species along with height, flower colour, sun, soil and the pollinators it supports.

Planting several of one species together helps as well, because the guide notes that grouped plants make pollination more efficient. A range of species then supports a wider range of pollinators.

Why Choose Native Plants for Pollinators?

Native plants evolved alongside the native pollinators that use them, which is why the guide puts them first. Canada has more than 800 species of native bees that nest in the ground or in twigs, according to the same guide.

Specialized cultivars, the garden varieties bred for a particular flower shape or colour, are sometimes not used by pollinators, the guide cautions. Any non-native plant in the bed should also be checked to make sure it is not invasive.

Where Will Native Bees Nest?

Many native bees nest in bare soil or inside plant stems, so a pollinator garden needs nesting space as well as flowers. Pollinator Partnership Canada recommends leaving some ground uncovered for ground-nesting bees and avoiding thick layers of mulch over the whole garden, along with keeping dead snags, plant stems and leaf litter for nesting and shelter.

A thorough fall clean-up can remove exactly the habitat those bees rely on over winter. The Canadian Wildlife Federation suggests leaving soil, leaves and stems undisturbed until the weather warms in spring, and Acadia University's bee guidance notes that many solitary bees nest and overwinter in hollow perennial stems.

Should a Pollinator Garden Use Pesticides?

Pesticides should be kept to a minimum or left out of a pollinator garden altogether, according to the PEI ecoregion guide. When a pest problem does come up, it recommends integrated pest management, an approach that starts with monitoring and non-chemical controls before any product is used.

Do Pollinators Need Water in the Garden?

The PEI ecoregion guide calls a clean, reliable water source essential for pollinators. A shallow dish or basin with a sloping side lets insects drink without drowning.

Where Can You Find a List of Native Pollinator Plants for PEI?

The Pollinator Partnership Canada guide for the PEI ecoregion includes a plant table on pages 16 to 19, which is the most detailed PEI-specific list for pollinator planting. The PEI Invasive Species Council and the PEI Watershed Alliance also publish a Native Plant Palette to help Islanders choose native plants that bloom through the growing season.

Pollinator Partnership Canada's online Find Your Roots tool builds a list of plants native to a chosen region, which can be compared with the PEI guide.

Can Red Earth Help Plan a Pollinator Planting?

Red Earth Restoration plans and plants native gardens for PEI landowners and homeowners, pollinator plantings included. Send the location and rough size of the area, with a few photos, through the project enquiry form.

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