Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 03:59 pm
Growing a pineapple sage may seem easy. However, apart from how comfortable it may seem growing in a particular place, there are other things to put into deliberation.
The reason is primarily that it blooms late into the summer season.
Therefore, something you may have probably thought about would be; what exactly would a pineapple sage be attracted to?
You may have been wondering what pollinating agents could pineapple sage be attracted to.
Knowing that it is a beautifully scented plant, you may have been prompted to ask, “does pineapple sage attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds?”
Pineapple sage attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, generally because it is from the salvia species. As a result, they are characterized by the presence of sweet-scented nectars. Furthermore, the nectars of pineapple sage are aromatic with a lovely pineapple scent, especially when crushed.
In addition, when the red bloom nectars of pineapple sage are formed, they are formed alongside its tubular flowers, which occur from the fall to summer seasons. As a result, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are attracted to the plant till the winter season.
Does Pineapple Sage Attract Bees?
Pineapple sage attracts bees basically because of the delightful scent from its nectar and beautiful bright red flowers.
Being easily attracted to colors and sweet plants, bees find refuge in flowers. Also, the savor from the nectars helps in the formation of bee pollen that is needed for food by the bees.
The stored bee pollen in the hives is a significant component of honey that serves various purposes ranging from medicinal uses to nutritional benefits to humans.
Does Pineapple Sage Attract Hummingbirds?
Pineapple sage is the hummingbird’s most preferred plant. The reason is that blooming in pineapple sage occurs in the late summer, just when hummingbirds are actively engaged in their activities, especially migration.
The hummingbirds feed on the pineapple sage blooms and nectar, providing them with the energy needed for flight and migration to the northern regions.
Also, they are attracted to pineapple sage because of its bright red colored flowers and ovate-shaped leaves.
Moreover, it is believed that brightly colored plants have very high nutrition and energy-rich nectars.
Furthermore, migration in hummingbirds is to the southern and northern regions. Migration to the south involves searching for food, and to the north is for breeding purposes.
Because hummingbirds love sunlight, they migrate just right in the direction of increased sun intensity.
Does Pineapple Sage Attract Butterflies?
Apart from bees and hummingbirds, the pineapple sage plant attracts butterflies too. Butterflies are attracted to pineapple sage for pollination.
When they’re attracted, pollens from the pineapple sage are attached to the bodies of butterflies, and they carry them about, and this process aids the formation of new seeds.
What Else Does Pineapple Sage Attract?
Due to its brightly colored flowers, elongated leaves, and sweet-scented nectar, many organisms are easily attracted to pineapple sage, ranging from harmful to beneficial insects.
Apart from hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, pineapple sage also attracts many other insects, some of which may include:
1. Hoverflies:
Adult hoverflies depend solely on nectars of plants and pollen for survival.
With its aromatic scent, Pineapple sage will attract hoverflies and provide feed for them with its nectars.
In most plants, including pineapple sage, hoverflies are present and are actively involved in eating up aphids which may be harmful to the plants.
2. Beneficial wasps:
Refer to beneficial insects that feed directly on caterpillars and other insects that are majorly involved in eating up and destroying pineapple sage plants.
Examples of beneficial wasps include Paper wasps and yellow jackets.
3. Ladybugs:
They are harmful to the pineapple sage plant because they eat up the leaves and suck out saps from nectars.
This will go a long way in affecting the plant, even up to the extent of death. This occurs mainly when they infest the pineapple sage leaves, including its stems.
As a result, the pineapple sage may die off because the infested bugs will feed on nutrients that should be available for the healthy growth of the plant.
4. Aphids:
These insects feed on pineapple sage leaves and nectar and cause deformation to the infested parts.
The affected leaves and nectar dry off and shed off over time and cause a slow down in the cycle of the pineapple sage, especially if many of them are on the same plant.
5. Tachinid flies:
These insects are parasitic; they feed on flowers, nectar, and insects. They also eat plants and make them sick, diseased, or unproductive.
Furthermore, It may lead to the death of the pineapple sage.
Tachinid flies use plants as a medium to lay, hatch, and grow their larvae, giving rise to clumsy roots and stems in plants.
6. Earthworm:
Although the earthworm helps in the breakdown of soil and helps in the metabolism (including the anabolic and catabolic processes) of nutrients, it has several side impacts.
They include;
- Digging up of stems and roots
- Causes excess porosity whenever a sage is watered.
This means that earthworms may sometimes cause a pineapple sage to be underwatered because it makes room for the inability to hold or retain water after watering.
Conclusion
The feeling of trying to grow a plant all perfect can be frustrating when so many factors are trying to pull your efforts down.
This article reveals to you all the pineapple sage plant characteristics that make it attractive to birds, butterflies, and insects.
There are many reasons for attraction toward pineapple sage plants. Also, this knowledge will help you know how best to grow a pineapple sage to keep it free from harm-causing attractions.
As a result, ensure to apply this knowledge out there.