Guide to Pairing Flowers with Fruit Trees for Cross-Pollination
Cross-pollination is essential for many fruit trees to enhance fruit yield and quality. By strategically planting flowers alongside your fruit trees, you can attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Here’s a florist guide on which flowers to pair with specific fruit trees to encourage effective cross-pollination.
Apple Trees
Recommended Flowers
Clover (Trifolium spp.): Attracts bees with its sweet nectar.
Marigold (Tagetes spp.): Provides bright colour and attracts various pollinators.
Borage (Borago officinalis): Known for its star-shaped flowers that draw in bees.
Cherry Trees
Recommended Flowers
Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Its fragrant blooms attract bees and butterflies.
Daisies (Bellis perennis): Simple yet effective in attracting a myriad of pollinators.
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea): Tall flowers that serve as a visual attractant and offer nectar.
Pear Trees
Recommended Flowers
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): Brightly coloured and edible, they attract bees and other insects.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Offers a rich source of nectar and pollen.
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus): Large blooms that are very attractive to bees.
Plum Trees
Recommended Flowers
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus): Easy to grow and loved by pollinators.
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans): Their vivid colours will lure in bees throughout the summer.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.): Known for its strong scent and ability to attract a variety of pollinators.
Citrus Trees
Recommended Flowers
Jasmine (Jasminum spp.): Highly fragrant, it draws in a range of pollinators.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): Small flowers with a delightful scent that attract bees.
Buddleja (Buddleja davidii): Also known as the butterfly bush, it attracts butterflies and bees alike.
Peach Trees
Recommended Flowers
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus): Attractive to bees while offering a variety of colours.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium): Its tiny flowers are a good source of nectar for bees.
Larkspur (Delphinium spp.): Tall flowering plants that attract bees with their dense flower clusters.
General Tips
Diversity: Plant a variety of flowers to attract a wide range of pollinators.
Native Species: Choose native flowers to encourage local pollinator populations.
Continuous Bloom: Opt for flowers that bloom at different times throughout the flowering season to provide a consistent source of food for pollinators.
By following these flower shop guidelines, you can create a thriving environment conducive to cross-pollination, leading to healthier and more abundant fruit production in your orchard.
