Without bees and other insects, our food crops could vanish. As those creatures forage among flowers, they carry pollen from one plant to others, helping them to set seed for future crops.

From several causes, bee populations have been dwindling. If we can revive their numbers, food plants should continue to grow well. Our own continued survival depends on the good health of those diligent bees, butterflies and other insects.

Beyond honey bees, other kinds include bumble bees, sweat bees, leaf-cutter and miner bees. While I was checking, I found cuckoo bees.  

A quick hunt revealed that this bee is named after the cuckoo, which lays its eggs in other birds’ nests. A cuckoo bee has no hive or nest but lays its eggs in the nest of another kind of bee. I learned this from an Australian source. Does Maine have any of this uninvited insect?

To help Earth and ourselves, plan for pretty pollinators that people enjoy. If possible, grow some near edible plants.

Giant blue hyssop, a member of the mint family (formally Agastache, pronounced “ag-ASS-tah-kee”) likes sun or part sun and moist or dry soil. It grows in the herb garden. From June to September, its several stems bear light blue flowers above aromatic, gray-green, mint-shaped leaves. Breeders have shortened stems and produced different colors. Use the foliage for teas. Besides several kinds of bees, butterflies, flies, skippers and moths pollinate it.

Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) grows to 1-2 feet in August and September. Flowers are a striking blue. Grow in moist soil. This perennial attracts bumblebees.

Helenium, or Helen’s flower, now stretches 3-5 feet tall, crowned with clusters of yellow, mahogany or red flowers. Sneezeweed is visited by honey bees, bumbles, leaf-cutters and  smaller bees.

Helianthus (giant sunflower) is perennial, growing 6-8 feet tall. Miner bees forage here.

Every kind of bee likes wild bergamot, or Monarda fistulosa. Another mint, it’s a spreader!

Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifoliium) grows 1-3 feet,  attracting bees and flies.

Wild senna needs full sun and moist soil. A native legume, its strong stem grows 5-6 feet. In August and September, its yellow flowers feed bumblebees.

Soon, three asters: New England, New York and smooth asters will color our landscape. Bumbles, honeybees, leafcutter and miner bees will pollinate them.

Welcome the pollinators. They’re keeping us alive.