Close-up images of a monarch butterfly, honeybee, and bumblebee each collecting nectar from different colourful flowers.

Did you know that Toronto is home to over 360 species of bees? And bees aren’t the only pollinator you’ll find in the city. In fact, we also see over 100 species of butterflies, as well as moths, beetles, wasps, and even hummingbirds!

Pollinators aren’t just cute, they’re also incredibly important to our ecosystem. Over 80% of flowering plants rely on pollinators, and they are essential to supporting biodiversity and maintaining food production. Toronto’s incredible biodiversity is, in large part, due to our friendly neighbourhood pollinators. So, with the start of the planting season, help support the pollinators in our city by choosing pollinator-friendly plants. 

1. Milkweed

Milkweed is widely known as an important plant for monarch butterflies. It’s actually the only plant that supports monarch eggs and caterpillars. But milkweed is a popular plant with a wide variety of pollinators including leafcutter bees and tussock moths. Plus, when you plant milkweed you’ll be treated to beautiful light pink and white flowers by mid-summer. 

2. Goldenrod

Beautiful goldenrod produces many shallow flowers, perfect for pollinators like the pearl crescent butterfly,  mining bees, and hummingbirds. Goldenrod is a great plant for small spaces as it is happy growing in pots. 

3. Coneflowers

For easy-care gardens, perennials like coneflowers will bloom every year. Coneflowers come in many colours, and are a favourite with pollinators including the black swallow-tail butterfly and the sunflower moth. 

Remember that a pollinator garden can be big or small. Whether you have a large outdoor space or a compact container garden, planting pollinator-friendly native plants can make a big difference. So check out your local garden centre and get planting! When we keep pollinators in mind this planting season, our gardens can support Toronto’s incredible biodiversity. For more information on pollinator gardens, check out Native Plants for Pollinators by Credit Valley Conservation.

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We respectfully acknowledge this land and the history of the many Indigenous peoples who have lived here for millennia. The meeting place of Toronto - from the Kanienʼkéha (Mohawk) word Tkaronto - remains the home of many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to be here together to share and to care for the land – Chi Miigwetch.

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