Dandelions Aren't Good Nutrition for Pollinators

We Can Do Better Than Dandelions

3/24/2018

A growing voice in garden circles dotes on dandelions for pollinators, particularly as they are claimed as some of the first flowers to bloom in spring. This refers to the exotic dandelion Taraxacum officinale, not one of the native species we have like Nothocolais cuspidata. While early-spring insect species will use dandelion -- especially generalist species and European honey bees who evolved with the flower -- in some cases it is not the most nutritious option when it comes to pollen. For example, the earlier-blooming and native pussy willow’s pollen protein count is 40%, whereas dandelion is only at 14%. Nutritious pollen is what leads to healthier bees, which in turn leads to healthier environments (without pollen bee larvae would starve). In addition, many specialist bees have evolved relationships with specific native plants, timing their life cycles for when pollen is available from those plants. Specialists are incredibly crucial to keeping the pollinator system in balance, and when we lose even one such species pollination rates for plants suffer.

What can we do? As we alter landscapes we lose ecological function. Consider that 99% of the tallgrass prairie has been eradicated, yet so much of the wildlife that depend on the plants found within that ecosystem still exist in the same geographical area -- even in cities. Let's revive wildness and use native plants.

According to bee expert Heather Holm, there are a plethora of native plants that either bloom at the same time as dandelion or weeks earlier. These plants have ranges in the Midwest and northeast, and the list includes the following:

Trees & Shrubs

Native willows, Salix spp.
Red maple, Acer rubrum
Red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa
Native currants or gooseberries, Ribies spp.
American plum, Prunus americana
Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana
Native viburnum, Viburnum spp.
Native dogwood, Cornus spp.
Serviceberry, Amelanchier spp.

Perennials

Prairie smoke, Geum triflorum
Pussytoes, Antennaria neglecta
Golden Alexanders, Zizia spp.
Wild lupine, Lupinus perennis
Pasque flower, Anemone patens
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris

Woodland Perennials / Ephemerals

Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Dutchman's Breeches, Dicentra cucullaria
Native violets, Viola spp.
Jacob's Ladder, Polemonium reptans
Large-flowered bellwort, Uvularia grandiflora
Wild geranium, Geranium maculatum
Bishop's cap, Mitella diphylla
Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica

To learn more about sustainable wildlife gardening, check out some 200 articles or try one of these 5 online classes.

10 Comments

Amy Woodrum

3/26/2018 06:41:01 pm

Thank you. Please share future posts

Daniel L Carter link

3/27/2018 09:31:15 am

Exactly! My lawn (actual mowed lawn area consisting of a matrix of bouteloua species and sedges) has early buttercup (R. fascularis), several species of native violet, two species of native ragworts, two species pussytoes, kittentails, purple poppy mallow, and prairie smoke. I get rid of dandelions and white clover, because there is no need.

Benjamin Vogt link

3/27/2018 09:33:31 am

I'd like to see images of that space in bloom and throughout the growing season. ;)

Steve

3/31/2018 04:21:40 pm

The bees don't care where the pollen come from as long as they can access it. Here's a concept. Value plants based on the contributions they make to the ecosystems in which they grow, not based on their place of origin.

Benjamin Vogt

3/31/2018 05:44:14 pm

Oligolectic and other specialist bees that evolved with specific native plants most certainly care, and would not exist without those plants. And when we lose specialist bees the entire ecosystem changes, especially the pollination effectiveness for plants. I'd encourage you to read books on native bees, such as those by Heather Holm among others, and follow the research I cited in chapter 2 of my book.

Shaun

2/9/2019 04:01:45 pm

Steve, it has nothing to do with the plants place of origin. I had to do with the plants that our pollinators have evolved alongside and therefore depend on. Like Benjamin said, specialist bees certainly do care where the pollen comes from.

Ernest Miller

8/2/2018 05:56:07 am

Eastern Redbud is highly attractive in early Spring

Mimi

3/13/2019 12:24:28 pm

I think with regard to dandelions, there might be a need to compare apples with apples. While I can understand the point of view that a purely native garden could be considered more beautiful and or more worthwhile than one than includes non native plants, I think that we also need to look at the actual benefits each plant brings to the table.
My understanding is that native bees are awake earlier than honeybees and really need early nectar as well as early pollen.
Somewhat simplified,it seems nectar is what keeps the adult bees alive in and is needed on an emergency basis in early spring, and pollen is what is needed to make new bee larvae?
Pussy willow sounds like a good source for early spring nectar, when the native bees need it the most. It is also a plant with both male and female versions; it seems only the male catkins have pollen, though this pollen is described as abundant. Does this mean though, that only male willow plants have pollen, or is it a case of male and female flowers on the same plant? this obviously would make a difference in terms of planting a pussy willow for pollen.It seems that if you can plant them and grow them, this would be an excellent thing to do. The one big disadvantage of pussy willows for some is they are a wetland plant, and wont do well in dry areas. In those areas, the ridiculously durable dandelions with their early flowers, may be a native bees best chance of survival.
many of the other plants listed don't flower till later in the year, and wouldn't be at all useful for early spring bee survival.
pasque flowers are early but poisonous to livestock;so that may or may not be a concern for a gardener; Virginia Bluebells is not listed as poisonous, is very early( I am guessing it provides nectar, not pollen, which is still helpful) is native, but might need some water after its growing season. Grape hyacinths are not native, but are very early nectar sources, non poisonous, and do fine with drought after the spring. Sometimes you get "perfect" sometimes you get what is needed to keep everyone fed and alive.
In a perfect world, our gardens would be filled with native plants, though the change in the environment, removal of trees, increase of pesticide use etc means that some previously native plants will no longer survive in their native environments without ongoing human help. This doesn't mean we shouldn't try, but it does mean sometimes we need to be pragmatic. In an ideal world every child gets to eat say organic fruit and vegetables. But if the kid is starving, any food is better than providing nothing because it is not organic. Similarly, any food for a bee is better than nothing at all,as they can quietly go extinct while we wait to create a "perfect" garden, killing off all their current food sources because they are not native enough.

Benjamin

3/13/2019 12:44:59 pm

All good points, and as you hint at, the topic is more complex. It always is. Obviously anyone wanting to use the plants in this list should make sure they are appropriate for your region and site -- that's garden design 101. As for the "perfect" garden, we need to think what's better for others. Sometimes a "good enough" food really isn't good enough, because we know we can do better by the ecosystem. There are a multitude of ways to convert a landscape to more native plants -- quick or gradual, and each has their benefits and drawbacks for wildlife and people alike.

Dana Sanders

1/17/2020 12:48:36 pm

Would love a similar list for the southwest and southeast regions!

About

Benjamin Vogt's thoughts on prairie gardening in Nebraska. With a healthy dose of landscape ethics, ecophilosophy, climate change, and social justice.