Bee kind to the Earth: How a pollinator garden is contributing to climate resilience
By: Mackenzie Cruz and Kiley Sherlock
The chirping of birds and the sweet smell of flowers greet visitors at the Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden in Pittsboro. The garden is located at Chatham Mills, right next to the farmer’s market co-op. This bright, colorful garden is home to over 240 species of plants to draw in visitors and, hopefully, pollinators.
Director Debbie Roos received funding from the NC State Agricultural Extension 18 years ago to start the demonstration garden. And since then, it has blossomed into a true pollinator paradise. There are 560 bee species native to North Carolina, many of which typically lack protection or credit for pollination. The demonstration garden provides bees an assortment of flowering plants to help pollinate.
The garden works to recruit other pollinators, such as butterflies, by planting common butterfly host plants like goldenrod, milkweed, and spicebush. They also practice butterfly puddling, when you place dishes of water on the ground to encourage butterfly recruitment and growth. Another habitat feature in the garden is a pollinator rock pile, which provides shelter for pollinators, remaining warm in the winter and cool in the summer!
Managing a successful pollinator garden can be tricky, especially with so many native pollinator species to cater to. 85% of the garden’s plants are native to North Carolina. Another aspect to consider is North Carolina’s heat and humidity. Selecting heat-tolerant plants is essential for the longevity of the garden, especially with events like record-breaking drought. The asphalt parking lot surrounding the garden also gives off a lot of heat, which can impact the plants. That’s why the selection of native plant species is so important; it makes the garden resilient. Native plants are adapted to North Carolina’s climate, allowing them to sustain even in drought conditions.
Why create a space for pollinators? Why are they important? Simple: they help balance our ecosystem! About 75% of flowering plants rely on other pollinator species to help them reproduce. In doing so, they help keep up biodiversity among plants and keep our gardens looking pretty! Flowering plants also provide food or shelter for birds and other wildlife. If you want to build your own meadow bed, a beginner garden focused on flowering plants, the demonstration garden hosts annual plant sales and pollinator workshops.
A trip to the Paradise Pollinator Demonstration Garden is a great way to see climate resilience in action! By promoting native plant species, the garden remains a productive habitat for pollinators and wildlife all year round. Using native species creates strong root systems and healthy soil, protecting the garden and keeping it beautiful for years to come. To learn more about pollinator gardens, check out the Paradise Pollinator Garden webpage!