Pollinator Gardens: A Global Refuge to Save Bees and Other Pollinators

Pollinators, responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we consume, are in crisis. According to the UN, 40% of pollinating insects (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and others) face extinction. But there is a solution available to everyone: pollinator gardens. These spaces, designed with native plants, not only beautify cities and countryside, but have also become veritable field hospitals for these vital species.

Why Are Pollinators Disappearing?

• Habitat Loss: Urbanization and intensive agriculture have eliminated 75% of wildflowers in Europe since 1900.
• Pesticides: Neonicotinoids reduce bees’ navigational ability.
• Climate Change: Flowering seasons are coming earlier, leaving pollinators emerging from hibernation without food.

How to Create a Pollinator Garden (Guide by Continent)

Europe

• Star plants: Lavender, thyme, wild daisies.
• Specialty: Urban balcony gardens (e.g., projects in Berlin and Paris).
• Fact: The UK has 3,500 “Bee Roads” (native flower corridors).

Americas

• North: Echinacea, sunflowers, and milkweed (vital for monarch butterflies).
• Central/South: Passionflower, lantana, and flowering cacti (for hummingbirds).
• Initiative: Network of 1,000 gardens from Canada to Argentina.

Asia

• Key plants: Holy basil (Tulsi), jasmine, and chrysanthemums.
• Innovation: Green roofs in Tokyo with flowers for solitary bees.

Africa

• Local species: Aloe vera, proteas, and wild geraniums.
• Project: “Flowers for the Future” in South Africa restores migration corridors.

Oceania

• Unique plants: Banksia, grevilleas, and honeysuckle (endemic to Australia).
• Campaign: “No Mow May” (do not cut the grass in spring).

5 Golden Rules for a Pollinator Garden

1. Plant in groups: 1m² patches of the same species attract more.
2. Choose saucer-shaped flowers (such as daisies) for easy access.
3. Include flowers for each season: Bulbs in spring, sedums in fall.
4. Avoid pesticides: Use biological control (ladybugs, lacewings).
5. Add a water feature: Pebbles filled with water to prevent insects from drowning.

Proven Impact

• A study in California showed that 10m² of native gardens increase pollinator visits by 300%.
• In Germany, neighborhoods with these gardens have five times more wild bees.

Technology at the Service of Pollinators

• BeeGraphy App: Scan your garden and suggest local plants.
• BuzzBox Sensors: Monitor bee activity with AI.
• Pollinator Pathmaker Project: Create garden plans with algorithms.

How to Get Involved

1. Certify your garden with programs like the Wildlife Habitat Council.
2. Join citizen science with platforms like iNaturalist.
3. Lobby your city to create pollinator-friendly public spaces.

“When we plant for pollinators, we plant the future of our food.” — Dr. Marla Spivak, bee expert.