Urbana library promotes pollinator-friendly gardening practices

The Urbana Regional Library held an event on Sunday to discuss gardening that helps pollinators. Pollinators like bees and butterflies are vital for plant growth but are declining in numbers. Maryland has over 400 species of bees and 150 species of butterflies, among other pollinators. Heather Longstaff, a local volunteer with the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program, shared tips to create friendly environments for these creatures. She emphasized the importance of selecting the right plants. Ideally, there should be flowers blooming throughout the season. Native plants that fit the local climate are best, but some non-native plants can be included if they are not invasive. Longstaff highlighted that different pollinators are attracted to various plants. For example, bees like tubular flowers, while butterflies and hummingbirds prefer bright colors like red and orange. Clean water and shelter are also crucial for pollinators. Simple solutions include leaving logs and leaf piles for them during colder weather and using fewer chemicals that could harm them. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden can take time. Longstaff shared her own journey of gradually adding flower beds and eventually replacing her turf grass. She also informed attendees about Maryland's low-impact landscaping law, which protects pollinator gardens from being restricted by homeowners associations (HOAs). Community members from the Woodlands of Urbana gardening club attended the talk, expressing interest in implementing pollinator-friendly practices in their herb garden. They appreciated Longstaff's tips and the relevance to working with HOAs. The event was a great opportunity to build community awareness about the importance of supporting pollinators.