Match That Plant to the Pollinator
We all know that pollinators are vital to our ecosystems, but which plants should we grow in our gardens to attract more of them? This quiz will help you master the art of native gardening for pollinators!
Which pollinator depends the most on this plant?
This plant is called milkweed, or Asclepias. While most of these pollinators like to visit milkweed, it is the only food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. Without milkweed, the Monarch cannot complete its life cycle.
Monarch butterfly
Leafcutter bee
Ruby-Throated hummingbird
Common wasp
If you want to attract this pollinator, what kinds of plants should you plant?
Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers, and they are most attracted to nectar-rich, tubular flowers in their favorite color—red!
Plants with tubular flowers
Plants with red flowers
Plants whose flowers contain nectar
Plants that meet all of these criteria
Which pollinators are attracted to this plant?
Ferns reproduce with spores, not pollen. Since they’re not a source of pollen or nectar, pollinators will fly right by these plants!
Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
None of the above
Which pollinator has a symbiotic relationship with this plant?
This is the blossom of an apple tree (Malus domestica), which has a symbiotic relationship with all of these pollinators. The tree relies on the pollinators to produce fruit, while the apple’s pollen and nectar are important food sources for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
All of the above
Which plant is most likely to attract this pollinator?
Ladybugs love flowers that are rich in pollen, but they especially love plants that also attract their favorite food—aphids! Coneflower is a pollen-rich plant that aphids love, so to ladybugs, they’re an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Coneflower
Chrysanthemums
Marigolds
Garlic
Which pollinator is most likely to visit this plant?
Shooting Star, or Dodecatheon meadia, is a spring ephemeral that produces pollen but no nectar. This means bees will visit this native perennial, but nectar-loving pollinators don’t care for it.
Hummingbird
Butterfly
Bee
Mosquito
Which plant is most likely to attract this pollinator?
Moths are pollinators like butterflies, but they’re active at night as well as during the day. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) releases a fragrance in the evening that is very attractive to moths!
Daylily
Evening Primrose
Double-flowered Dianthus
Mint
Which pollinator is most likely to visit this plant?
While Big Bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii) is a wind-pollinated plant, it’s still attractive to birds and butterflies as a food source and a source of cover.
Butterflies
Birds
Neither
Both
0–3 Correct
Don’t worry—these questions were tough! Hopefully you’ve gained a new perspective on the different ways pollinators and plants depend on one another.
4–6 Correct
Pretty impressive! You know your stuff, but you may have also learned something new that will help you grow a more pollinator-friendly garden this year.
7–8 Correct
You’re a master of plants and pollinators! Your yard must be buzzing with bees, birds, and butterflies. We’re impressed!