Geraniums are a popular choice in gardens worldwide. These plants support local ecosystems through pollination. Pollination, the transfer of pollen, enables plants to reproduce and supports ecosystem health. Understanding how geraniums attract pollinators and how to encourage these visitors can enrich any garden.
Geranium Features That Attract Pollinators
The appeal of geranium flowers to pollinators stems from several characteristics: visual cues, scent, and resources. Geraniums produce both nectar, a sugar-rich liquid providing energy, and pollen, a source of protein and other nutrients for insects. These rewards motivate pollinator visits.
The color of geranium blooms, ranging from purple, blue, and pink to white, serves as a visual signal. Bees are particularly drawn to shades of purple, violet, and blue, while butterflies respond well to pinks, reds, oranges, and purples. Many geranium varieties also feature dark lines on their petals, acting as nectar guides that direct pollinators toward the flower’s center where nectar is. The open, cup-shaped structure of geranium flowers makes them easily accessible to a wide range of insect sizes. Some geranium species also emit a sweet scent, enhancing their attractiveness, though fragrance intensity varies.
Key Pollinators of Geraniums
Geraniums attract a diverse array of pollinators, each contributing to reproduction. Bees are among the most frequent and effective visitors, drawn by nectar and pollen. Both short-tongued and long-tongued bumblebees, including common carders, pollinate geraniums, capable of reaching nectar deeper within the flower structure. Honeybees also visit geraniums, contributing to their pollination.
Various solitary bee species, such as mason bees, sweat bees, small carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, and mining bees, forage on geraniums for both nectar and pollen. Mason bees, for instance, collect pollen on the underside of their abdomen as they move across the flower. Smaller bees might access nectar without significant pollen transfer, but larger bees generally ensure effective pollination.
Butterflies are another group of pollinators for geraniums, attracted by bright colors and flat landing platforms provided by the open flowers. They seek nectar. Moths, particularly nocturnal species, also visit geraniums, often guided by scent. Some Pelargonium species have evolved features like pale coloration and long nectar tubes to attract them. Various flies, including syrphid flies (hoverflies) and empindine dance flies, along with beetles, also pollinate geraniums.
Enhancing Pollinator Activity for Geraniums
Gardeners can take several steps to create a more inviting environment for pollinators visiting geraniums. Diversifying plantings provides a continuous food source throughout the growing season. Integrating other pollinator-friendly flowers alongside geraniums, such as alyssum, catmint, lavender, or verbena, ensures a steady supply of nectar and pollen, attracting a broader spectrum of insects.
Avoiding the use of chemical pesticides is crucial. Insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides can harm pollinators, either by direct contact or by contaminating the pollen and nectar they consume. Systemic insecticides, for example, are absorbed by the plant and can make all its tissues, including nectar and pollen, toxic to visiting insects. Opting for organic or natural pest control methods helps protect them.
Providing accessible water sources, such as shallow dishes with pebbles for landing, supports pollinator hydration. Creating undisturbed areas within the garden, where native plants can thrive and insects can find shelter or nesting sites, enhances the habitat for pollinators.