Attract Good Bugs to the Garden! The best plants for pollinators & beneficials

[@CharleneMGrant]

You are not only an excellent gardener, but you are also an excellent educator. Great job!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you!

[@anthonymilligan8379]

@@CharleneMGrant thanks!!

[@bdwon]

"My Garden of a Thousand Bees" is a must-see documentary that was broadcast on PBS back in 2021.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Ooh- I'll check it out, thanks!

[@richardroadcap7957]

Oregano blooms draw bees like crazy

[@Javaman92]

It's been a while since I commented on anything. When I saw this video I had to watch it. While I take a different view of things I think this video will encourage people to move in a good direction. Almost everything I planted this year was native perennials to host native insects. Like you I had said in the past, if I can't eat it I am not growing it. BUT I have food. When I learned this from Doug, I decided that the drastic decline in birds was something that I needed to do my part to address. This is, in part what I learned... "According to Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology and wildlife ecology, a single pair of breeding chickadees must find 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear one clutch of young." AND I learned that many of our native bugs need specific native plants to hatch and feed their young on. Non natives will not work for that. SO... I planted natives.

[@nancynesytofreske]

Doug Tallamy changed my entire viewpoint regarding native flowers and trees.

[@Javaman92]

@@nancynesytofreske same here!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm hoping to do another video focusing on all the native perennials, shrubs and trees I'm planting in other areas of our property for attracting beneficials and supporting wildlife! I just find it's easier to plant annuals in the veggie gardens.

[@nancynesytofreske]

Thanks for another great video, Jenna. Heather Holm (biologist and pollinator conservationist) has written several excellent books on our native bees, wasps and more. Another excellent book is "Attracting Native Pollinators" by The Xerces Society. We should try our best to plant native plants (Mountain Mint and so many more) which are the preferred nectar and pollen sources for our beneficials.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Ooh- I'm going to check those out. Thank you! I want to do a whole additional video on native perennials for beneficials as my 'landscaping' around the house is primarily focused on these types of plants. I just find that using annuals in the veggie gardens is easier.

[@Aphidman1]

My garden now has about the same ratio of flowers and edible crops as yours, and you were the main inspiration! Glad to hear you mention big-eyed bugs! Not many people know about them.

[@deecooper1567]

Great info Jenna 🤩👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@jimboersma4236]

Very informative! Thank you

[@samanthahoos9827]

❤ Catnip, fever few, St. John’s Wort, Sage, mints, and other herbs are my go to pollinator garden plants because I can dry them for tea, seasonings and they’re perennial! 😊

[@bonne_vie]

Does it matter whether you pick them before or after flowering for tea?

[@samanthahoos9827]

@@bonne_vie I find using the flower is sweeter/delicious!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Yes!! So many of the perennial herbs are so beneficial in a multitude of ways. I need to make a video just focusing on them!

[@ABlueDahlia]

Thanks! Ordered a bunch of them. :D Will be excited to see them growing/flowering.

[@bobclark9540]

I planted zinnias in our asparagus raised bed. The colorful zinnias give an excellent splash of color to the green ferns.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Oh I bets that's lovely!

[@Sunnylane02174]

I love all the flowers you mentioned! I let a couple of my carrots go to seed as well as a couple lettuce plants. The amount of beneficial insects it attracted was astounding. Thanks for your videos! I’ve learned so much from your videos that I incorporate into my Ohio garden!

[@lizziebilbrey489]

Jenna, I watch all of your videos, but this one is top notch. I really enjoy enjoyed putting focus on the bugs.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks!!

[@tarawatterson4188]

Awesome content. Loved the exploration of types of beneficials at the end.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelgoff1279]

Fantastic video on an under appreciated topic. I highly suggest Ohio Prarie Nursery for us Ohioans!

[@WesternMONo-TillGardening]

I used to have the "if you can't eat it..." rule also. These days, my garden is half flowers and half vegetables. I started adding flowers to attract beneficials, but now I plant them as much for their beauty as for their benefits. I love having such a colorful garden and being able to give bouquets to friends and family, and it makes me so happy to see beneficial insects all over the garden.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Love it!!

[@QueCocinas]

I do plant wild flowers for the garden, but mainly because my older daughter loves them too 🥰

[@abbycole7485]

Chamomile & catnip are two of my favorites! They’ll always have a spot in my garden, if I can help it. Coreopsis, prairie specially, is the ones that I love to squeeze in anywhere I can.

[@tomst9417]

I just started incorporating flowers in my vegetable garden and use most of the varieties you mention. One addition that I really like is anise hyssop. It readily self-seeds and the bright blue/purple flowers are like beacons inviting all sorts of pollinators. Added bonus, you can make herbal tea from the leaves and flowers.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

OOh such a good one!

[@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn]

I DID enjoy today's video! Thanks, Jenna. I love having local Ohio advice and inspiration!

[@pampotgieter7611]

OH WOW! What a awesome video full of information on Beneficial Predatory Insects. Thank You so much for making this video. Much research and time you must have spent in making this wonderful video. I shall be sharing with my family and friends. Much love from South Africa 🌍🇿🇦❤🤗👍

[@rossgeredien9813]

This video is near and dear to my heart. You are speaking my language! I’ve made it my goal to increase the biodiversity on my property in addition to growing food. Perennial natives are helping a lot, and I have found that any type of mint is an excellent attractor of a very diverse array of native wasps, bees, and flies. I am also trying buckwheat for the first time and can’t wait until it blooms. Thanks for all of the insect info! Identifying insects has become a new hobby!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Wonderful!

[@crazybeccarf4222]

Another awesome video. Tysm!

[@julie-annepineau4022]

I love flowers in and around my garden. Thyme seems to be a favorite for many species. I let some over wintered carrots and parsley bloom this year. There are so many different species on each bloom constantly. I have sat and just watched them coming and going a couple times and it is fascinating.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Yes!! I use wild thyme as a ground cover in many areas and the insects are all over it!

[@racebiketuner]

I came to understand the benefits of a polyculture 3 years ago. Now I always plant flowers well ahead of my veggies.

[@teresa4973]

Such great information! Thank you! I love flowers and beneficial insects so this is awesome👍

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

Very cool! I grew Alyssum for the first time this year and I will grow them every year moving forward. Next year Holy Basil will be grown for sure due to its Men’w health benefits 👊🏻🌻👊🏻

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I may be biased, but I think holy basil belongs in every garden!

[@davidaleshire4292]

Love the video, Jenna. I’ll have to try a few of the flowers you mentioned for next year. The garden is pretty dense this year, but I see quite a variety of bees and wasps all over my sunflowers. Tons of lady beetle larvae around the garden, and lacewings playing peek-a-boo in the peppers and tomatoes. Papa er wasps seem to enjoy hanging around my kale. Though they aren’t insects, I have bluebirds living in my garden. Always got a bug in their beaks.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm glad you're seeing such diversity. And what a lovely treat to have those bluebirds in the garden!

[@samanthahoos9827]

❤ I purchase from Natures Good Guys every year for some helpful critters as needed too. 😊

[@jamespalmerministries6131]

Tachinid Flies! Right when a new (Alien) movie hits the theaters 😂. I grow marigolds and sunflowers. Time to explore new varieties. Thanks Jenna!!!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Haha!!

[@untenableposition3057]

You are really good. Excellent delivery and editing. It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that I love the content

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you

[@jacklulis6571]

Good work Jenna !!

[@mfcabrini]

Beautiful, and a great message. Lots of good ideas.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thanks so much!

[@h.sinclair]

wow great video Jenna you frikkin RAWCK !! ❤

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Thank you!

[@duben55]

I first saw Cliome decades ago in someone's garden. Gorgeous! Unusually colored, watch for thorns! Watch for seeds! I learned the hard way that it shoots its seeds anywhere. Some landed between cracks in our driveway and by the time we returned from our vacation, even less than an inch tall bloomed and produced seeds! But still, a gorgeous flower!

[@aalejardin]

Yes they are amazing re-seeders. I was ill earlier this year and really couldn't deal with all the gardening. I had plans for the beds near the house but wasn't able to execute them. Cleome from last year saved the day all by themselves along with some re-seeded ageratum and verbena bonariensis. Fortunately the cleome seedlings are very distinctive so it is easy to pull them from where you don't want them.

[@cpoco]

Alyssum are my preferred ground cover... they spread nicely and smell lovely. Brassica flowers also smell quite lovely (that was an accidental discover last year).

[@bridgestew]

Thanks for the helpful list! I'm in Ohio as well, near Cleveland. I am glad that I have planted quite a few of the flowers in your list, but there are quite a few I will get seeds for so that I can plant them next year. Cheers!

[@lindag4484]

It took me a while, but I now plant lots of flowers in my garden beds. I used to plant veggies in the beds and flowers in pots and planters. Now, flowers are everywhere, and I like it! They make everything happier! Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and me! 🌻🌼🌻

[@lindag4484]

The white flowers on my row of Hydrangeas are loaded with pollinators, large and small. Bumble bees, honeybees, other small bees, green bees, large wasps, tiny wasps ...some are stingers! My husband complains when he has to mow next to them. lol

[@racebiketuner]

Great stuff! I've had very good success with dill as a trap crop for aphids. Also important to note that there's a synergistic effect when you have 20 or more varieties of flowers blooming. As the insect population becomes more diverse, it also becomes more self-regulating. In other words, the predatory insects keep other insects from spinning out of control.

[@mikefrench3800]

Great video!!!! I saved it ( if I remember I did ) for spring. Fennel flowers are really good mid summer for parasitic wasp in my garden. I have a 3 honey bee colonies so thanks for introducing me to some new flowers!

[@brianseybert192]

Completely on board with adding flowers to the garden. Actually I have most of the flowers you mentioned, although I do terminate the buckwheat and hairy vetch before it flowers. This year new was alyssum, yarrow and bee balm. I leave dill flower and go to seed for black swallowtails and some broccoli bolt and flower before feeding to the worms. Always leave a carrot, onion and celery overwinter to go to seed, not only for the seeds but the pollinators love them. Another thing, I have never been stung out in the garden. I let the bachelor buttons go to seed which attracts the gold finches. I get a kick out of the hover flies, sometimes they will fly in formation. Excellent video!!! Stay Well!!!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

You know, now that I think of it, I've never been stung in the garden either. Even when messing around in beds that are literally buzzing with activity. I know I'm anthropomorphizing, but I like to think that the insects know that I'm trying to provide them with a haven!

[@brianseybert192]

@@GrowfullywithJenna I just got through trimming out the old and propping up my 8' everbearing raspberry canes. The bumblebees and the rest of the solitary bees and wasps were all over the place, not even a whisper of a sting. I allow borage to grow right by 2 of my garden perches, literally inches away from where I am sitting, the bees could care less. I enjoy watching them, it's kinda funny, once in a while a bumblebee will be on a borage flower and it will drop off from the weight of the chubby bumblebee. The nature the garden attracts is one of the main reasons I garden. Stay Well!!!

[@craigdreisbach5956]

Wonderful video Jenna. A few observations. Although I grew up in Michigan, I have been in Vermont 40 years. Whenever I say sweat bee to New Englanders I get puzzled looks. I knew them in Michigan but haven't encountered them here. I became a beekeeper 5 years ago to help in the pollination in the vegetable garden and my orchards. What is curious for me is that all my apple, pear, plum trees seem only to be pollinated by bumble bees. My honey bees seem to ignore the fruit trees. I take no honey from the hives as I want my hives to thrive. My favorite wasp is the ichneumon wasp with a very long piercing tail. I hope you have seen one. As you said...white yarrow over ran one of my garden beds. iI finally got rid of it and I'm going to try red yarrow as I've heard its less invasive and its prettier. I'm a sucker for red flowers Thanks for including photos of the beneficial and bad bugs. Kind Regards. Craig

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That is curious about the honey bees ignoring the fruit trees! I wonder why? And I agree with you- the ichneumom wasp is SUPER cool!

[@ct2136]

Love the bug science

[@najwaseiya]

great, very interesting. thank you💛💛💛💛

[@kentuckygreg4725]

All the different colors in your garden makes for an enjoyable time working on the vegetables. Even without all the insects protecting your main crops, it makes it worthwhile to grow the flowers.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

It does indeed!

[@anthonymilligan8379]

I male 2 small beds at each end of the gardens and spread wild flower mixes and you can make your own mixes as well I reckon and the birds and bees and bugs are happy. Or at least they look happy

[@GregWilmoth]

Great video once again!

[@cooperhybrids]

Its a wonderful thing when our kids broaden our horizons a bit. What great content on why a non ornamental gardener might consider non edibles. I did find myself wondering which on this list make decent cut flowers

[@kittiecatticus8150]

Zinnia (and it has a long vase life), Calendula, Bachelor Button, Cosmos, Marigold (some people don't like the smell of it), Sunflower. 😊

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

It is indeed- and I can say that my kids have broadened my horizons a LOT!

[@andreamccarter-edgar6736]

Great video, Jenna. I too used to be of the camp "If I can't eat it...", but now grow most of the flowers you mentioned. I cannot seem to keep the cucumber beetles at bay, however. I kept waiting for the beneficial insects to take them out, but sadly, they infected my cucumbers with bacterial wilt. I sprayed spinosad once at night, but hesitate to do any more, due to the bees. The cucumber beetles own the curcubits this season. 😢

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

They're bad again this year.😣

[@margaret2222]

I love this video. I learned so much. I plant some flowers around my garden but mainly marigolds to repel the nasties and several flowers for the humming birds. I think I will plant more flowers next spring. Zinnia and sun flowers for sure and if I have room Cosmos and Sweet Alyssum.

[@brianczuhai8909]

Jenna, do a short on the Cicada noise! We finally got them in SE Michigan. Go out around 1/2 hr before dark, 8:30 PM EST. They are LOUD! Mine hang around in the tops of the trees.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Oddly enough, the cicada noise has been at a minimum here this year! Not the norm for us.

[@Jessica-ex6mz]

Loved this video ❤

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I'm so glad!

[@anissaferringer4965]

The crazy thing I saw this season was a robber fly eating a honey bee. Didn't know such a thing existed and thought it was a bumblebee! I had the pleasure of a 3 day zoom training from my back porch while the lovage was in bloom--it was covered in bees and Flys of all sorts all day long.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

How funny- I saw the same thing in my garden this year... the first time I'd seen one eating a bee and I was NOT happy about it. That's the thing with some of these predatory insects- they are generalists, and will eat a lot bugs... not just the 'bad' ones.

[@shellisspace]

I planted one boarage seed 3 years ago. It has now taken over my garden, the paths and raised beds. It's everywhere and has become a weed for me

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

It's definitely a rampant self-seeder. But I find that it's pretty easy to pull out from the places I don't want it.

[@shellisspace]

@@GrowfullywithJenna it is easy to pull but never seems to go away

[@TheDankFarmer]

I've had so many butterflies on my lemon mint it's crazy, never seen so many in my garden

[@brianczuhai8909]

I stopped growing 4-OClocks. We always had them and could grow them in the worst driest soil. I stopped growing them at my garden because I was never there early or late enough to enjoy them, since they only bloom at night. What kind of sunflower is behind you? I grew these SunRay ones. And just one came up and is only 8” tall. And it’s next to a big 7’ one. And I have a chocolate cherry one and the flowers at the top are a dark brown red. Sunflowers are like a smiling face when you show up at the garden. They are a must. And mix it up a little. They seem ideal for brightening up an otherwise dead developing hugelkultur bed.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

The sunflowers behind me are Gurney's Sunny Hedge blend. And I can speak from experience, sunflowers are a GREAT addition to a developing hügelkultur bed!

[@akrjp6857]

beautiful flowers..... but as i asked you a question about another video , i wanted to understand a little bit more about your giant ognons you had shown us , what is the name of these giant ognons and maybe some few words concerning the way of making them growing up for the best finality for having "super big ones " ... thanks ...... yes.... fine flowers in your garden but i'm sorry to repeat from myself another time ththat 'you are the finest flower of this garden....'...surely........!!

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Those were 'Ailsa Craig' onions. For optimal size, the commercial onion growers use the fertilizer schedule detailed here: www.bopf.com/planting-and-amp-growing-guide.html

[@akrjp6857]

@@GrowfullywithJenna thanks ........🤩

[@jenniferfisher1743]

Wonderful video. I added flowers to my garden 3 years ago and have noticed a massive drop off in pest pressure. Thanks for giving me ideas for more plants to incorporate. Of the plants you mentioned today, which ones are less prone to rabbit pressure? I would love to create a pollinator border around the outside my rabbit fencing.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Nothing seems to bother cleome! Also I've never had rabbits nibble on holy basil, calendula, yarrow and mountain mint

[@JohnJude-dp6ed]

Knowing you also have loofah and after mid summer I think they are drawing the most bees until frost anyway.Buckweat really draws bees and something looks like a black wasp with red spots that are beautiful some kind of fly probably.. I've added a few but should do more. I'm using giant sunflower as a cover crop and following them with tomatoes believe it's super system on a raised bed round enough for 4 tomato seedlings well space and this season planted bush beans around the system and as you teaching must be well drained he in 6a Mid Ohio done this for the 4th season and Best ever system 1/3 the work 1/3 time and 1/3 more productive and most elderly and many handicapped can do and have tomatoes also 1/3 more tomatoes. Black Krim my biggest 1.27 lbs.on this method Thanks

[@voss_homestead.oh.chapter]

This has been my newest learning goal. Aphids were TERRIBLE this year! They destroyed my tomatoes, no matter how much effort I gave or what I used. (I only garden naturally, but tried MANY things) I want create more a biome for insects and pollinators. I might be lacking in this area more than I realized.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I think it's challenging, because in general our environments all around are lacking in insects and pollinators. So building our own gardens and green spaces to their benefit becomes even more important!

[@voss_homestead.oh.chapter]

@@GrowfullywithJenna I so agree!!

[@vibe7210]

Very informative. What is the heartleaf plant behind you in the intro?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Those are moonflowers (Ipomoea alba)

[@DanielleMcClain-gn1ef]

There’s a spider on my milkweed that has been making a buffet of aphids. I accidentally knocked into his web one day and I was so sad 😢 He had that sucker built back in hours and had a pile of dead aphid carcasses stacking up

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

That is awesome!

[@DebRoo11]

All my flower plants have a purpose 😅 calendula, chamomile, nasturtiums, marigolds etc.

[@denisesmith8423]

Great video! I too am in Ohio. Aphids are the worst for me. What should I plant? Aphids have ruined my Brussel sprouts and other brassicas the last few years! thanks!

[@MartinaSchoppe]

I watched a lot of attract the good bugs to the veggi garden"-videos. And I keep wondering why most of them recommend mostly only annuals and most of them don't suggest almost no catapillar plants. I think it's easier to plant perennials. Once. Maybe at least as a "flower border" along the fence line. There are also so many perennial flowers that are edible (their shoots, leaves, roots or flowers) have medicinal properties or are mineral accumulators (comfrey, nettles, yarrow...). Apart from phacelia and calendula I don't bother with annuals.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

I just find it's easier to incorporate the annuals into my veggie gardens. I use primarily native perennials in my 'landscaped' beds all around the house, where I focus on planting beneficial plants for animals & insects.

[@TheTrock121]

Is Yarrow the same as Queen Anne's Lace?

[@louisekonkin4382]

No.

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Yarrow: Achillea millefolium Queen Anne's Lace: Daucus carota (wild carrot) though the flowers look similar!

[@charlesthompson8743]

My Russian sage bring in a ton of honeybees and butterflies.

[@Maria-ql3fc]

Paper wasp prey on caterpillars to feed their young. Yes they will sting you if they feel threatened and they don't discriminate and will take the butterfly larvae as well. If I see them in my garden, I know I have some worms on my plants so I start looking for them and taking them between two leaves and squishing them. I have tiny green worms that wrap the edge of the leaf over them I wish I knew what they are before I kill them. They are on my bean leaves right now.

[@brusselsprout5851]

Where in Ohio? There are multiple zones. TY

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

Zone 6a, midwestern Ohio

[@outdooorsman]

ill ask again teach how to grow herbs like holy basil.i suck cant grow them at all

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

No fertilizer, no water, no babying! I find the most common mistake is that people baby their herbs too much. But I'll try to make a video series on growing these!

[@outdooorsman]

@@GrowfullywithJenna thank you very much!!

[@outdooorsman]

@@GrowfullywithJenna even if they are in pots?

[@Darlene-q3t]

What zone are you in?

[@GrowfullywithJenna]

6a