Pollinator Refuges are recently a newer crop being planted on PEI. Pollinators are organisms that help transfer pollen that fertilizes plants to produce seeds and fruit. Bees would be the most common pollinator in PEI, while others include butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, and hummingbirds. All these pollinators are critical to production of many crops and play an essential ecological role. Such crops are tree and berry fruit, canola, alfalfa, and squash.
The decline of honey bees is a large public concern in recent years, and Pollinator Refuge Fields aid in giving pollinators places to stop and relax. Pollinator-attracting flowers that are good to plant are cardinal, bee balm, grey headed coneflower, black-eyed Susan, purple verbena, native asters, native goldenrods to name a few. A high diversity of densely planted flowering plants are the most attractive to pollinators. Having hedgerows or other types of thick bushes also provide shelter for the pollinators to take some time to relax and hangout. Having plants that bloom early, mid, and late throughout the season promote greater pollinator activity.
For more information check out: CBC PEI article
