Bees, hummingbirds, bats, and beetles are all pollinators—animals that assist in plant reproduction.
With recent declines in bee populations, there is a growing awareness of the contribution pollinators make to the ecosystem, and to the human food supply. According to a report from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), these helpful creatures fertilize 90 percent of flowering plants and one third of human food crops.
Habitat loss, disease, and excessive pesticide use are responsible for the drop in pollinator numbers. Planting pollinator-friendly flora can help encourage their return.
Different flower traits attract different garden guests. Butterflies, for example, are partial to purple flowers, while bees are especially attracted to bright white, yellow, or blue. Bats prefer musty smelling flowers that release their scent at night, while pollinating birds show little attraction to fragrance….