Plants for Pollinators in the low desert of Arizona

Abstract

Pollinators depend upon floral resources for their pollen and nectar. Nectar provides pollinators energy while pollen provides them proteins, nutrients, and lipids. Some pollinators depend upon one specific type of plant for their food or habitat, but most are generalists who thrive with a wide variety of plants to feed from. The goal is to have pollinator plants blooming at all times of the year. (Carroll, 2017) This is especially true for beekeepers who need to provide forage to keep their bees healthy. By providing floral resources in close proximity to apiaries the bees will be able to find nectar and pollen to maintain the health of the hive with little or no supplemental feeding by the beekeeper necessary. (Watkins de Jong, 2019)