Other flowers you like II- POLLINATOR PLANTS

[DirtyCoconuts]

I was recently trying to find info on plants that attract pollinators. While there is a lot of info and a wealth of articles, they all suggest the same 7 plants and they are mostly happy in zones 4-8.

I have started to find some fun plants that are bringing the workers around to ensure good fruit sets and veggies.

so here are some of the more fun ones i have found, PLEASE share your favorites too

passiflora- this group of vining flowers included the passion fruit and many others- insane flowers that bring not only butterflies (depending on the type of vine) and hummingbirds- I have one called Byron's beauty(or something like that)


Medusa and more by J Solo, on Flickr


Milkweeds- discussed at length in the "do your part" thread


here is a flower from the Giant milkweed- you will rarely see one as the caterpillars are RAVENOUS but still quite lovely



Milkweed and some friends by J Solo, on Flickr



Dutchman's pipe- the one i have is gigantea- it is a freak a zoid flower over 12" tall with a spread of 4-9" it rules- smells like super sweet lemonade and roadkill- this one is a host to swallowtail butterflies but only some as it is toxic to others even though it attracts them, bizarre. the giant swallowtails are fine on it...giants helping giants.

oh, here is the pic you want...two unopened flowers

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr



and the open flower

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr


in my hand for reference

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr


profile

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr


the inside from above

Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr



next group are the false lilies Canna and Calli- i don't know why they are both called lillies but i am pretty sure neither is. Canna lillies are fully edible, interesting fact, the leaves are not palatable (to me) but the flowers are very tasty. Both plants are great attractors of bees and butterflies and unfortunately snails (kill them all)



what else do you have to bring in the helpers?



---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:15 PM ----------

LOL, this is what the Dutchman's pipe starts as...about the size of a quarter


Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr