Backyard Reflections

When daytime temperatures start getting higher, you might notice some pollinators flying and buzzing around your garden. These creatures—which typically include early-emerging queen bumblebees, pollinator flies and beetles, and some butterflies—are likely looking for food, particularly early spring nectar. 

This food source is quite important for these pollinators. However, food options for pollinators are usually limited in the early spring since flowering fruit trees have yet to fully bloom.

Fortunately, you can do something good for early spring pollinators. By adding plants that produce early-season nectar, you can help these pollinators get the nutrients they need during such a critical time.

Take note that there aren’t many plants that fit this category. And before you put them in your outdoor living space, make sure to consult with horticulturists or your local garden center to determine the specific plants that will do well in your landscape.

To give you an idea, premier landscaping specialist Backyard Reflections lists some early spring plants that can attract pollinators and thrive in our Zone 4 region. We also share some tips on how to select plants and entice more pollinators.

Main Considerations When Selecting Flowering Plants

To attract early-season pollinators, you need to have the earliest blooming plants and make sure they are native to your region. Remember that each gardening region has its seasonal timetable and native species. It’s important to stick with these basic elements so that you can ensure a flourishing garden and happy, satisfied pollinators.

Native plants are much more attractive to native bees than exotic flowers. That said, you can guarantee the bees’ contentment by giving them access to the plants that they like. In return, your friendly pollinators will help you create an exquisite garden filled with beautiful blooms.

Best Early Spring Plants for Minnesota

These are the early spring plants that can do well in our Zone 4 region:

Chocolate Chip (Carpet Bugle)

These lacy blue flowers can be found on top of the chocolate-brown foliage of this groundcover. They thrive under partial to full sun, and you can place them in containers, between stepping stones or around shrubs.

Gold Heart (Bleeding Heart)

This early food source features heart-shaped pink flowers that hang from long wands. Gold Heart does fine in full to partial shade and looks great in woodland gardens and under larger shade trees.

Declaration Lilac

These reddish-purple flowers will look stunning in your landscape, especially if you arrange them in large clusters. They’re fragrant, and they typically bloom about a week earlier than common lilacs. They require full sun and can grow up to 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide.

Kilmarnock Willow

Catkins, the flowers of willows, are chock-full of pollen and nectar. With these flowers in your garden, you can be sure to draw in a lot of pollinators like bees. Kilmarnock willow is a small tree — about 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide — requiring full sun.

Blue Ribbons Bush Clematis

These indigo blue flowers have a lovely bell shape, and they’re a good source of mid-season nectar. They do well under partial to full sun.

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Dogwoods are well-loved by bees. They are early bloomers that can grow into low-branching, multi-stemmed shrub. With partial to full sun, it can go up to 20 inches tall and wide.

Royal Star Magnolia

Magnolias are often associated with beetle pollinators. However, these flowers are also highly appreciated by bees. Requiring full sun, they can grow up to 15 inches tall and 12 inches wide. This makes them ideal for smaller spaces.

Ivory Prince (Christmas Rose)

These cool-season flowers are delightful to have as they’re virtually problem-free. Their blooms face upward and look immaculate under the shade of woodland gardens. 

5 Tips for Attracting Pollinators

Apart from having the right flowering plants, your garden should also be optimized as pollinator-friendly. Below are five tips that will help keep pollinators attracted to your landscape: 

1. Plant flowers in clumps. There should be at least 3 × 3 feet of every plant species. Ideally, you should plant the same species together as this would attract more bees than individual flowers placed throughout your garden.

2. Choose flowers with different shapes. Different species of bees have varying tongue lengths, and they typically prefer flowers that are specific to their anatomy. By having different sizes and shapes of flowers, you can cater to a wider variety of bees and pollinators.

3. Plan your garden well. Ensure there are flowers blooming for as many months as you can manage. Bees and other pollinators search for food during the entire growing season, so it would be great if there are nectar sources available throughout the year or for most of the year.

4. Limit your use of chemicals (synthetic and organic). Compost and mulch are better options for building healthy soil, so use plenty of these instead.

5. Let your yard go a little wild. Keep a hedge untrimmed, a section of lawn unmowed, some grass cuttings piled up in a sunny area, or some soil bare. This will help create a shelter or nesting habitat for ground-nesting bees.

Of course, don’t forget to consult with experts to ensure your garden is properly designed and sufficiently prepared to accommodate early spring plants and pollinators. Working with professionals will allow you to have a more comprehensive look at your yard and figure out the best ways to achieve a thriving piece of nature.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

For over 20 years, Backyard Reflections has been providing the local community with premium landscape design and build services. Taking note of our client’s needs and preferences, we always strive to create unique outdoor spaces that fulfill specific requirements. That said, you can count on our team to collaborate with you on your project and deliver exceptional results.

Our wide range of expertise covers softscapes, walls, pavers, shorelines, lighting, steps and landscape maintenance and enhancements. Call us at (320) 274-6336 (Annandale) or (218) 454-1065 (Nisswa) to discuss your landscaping needs. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.