I have a couple of questions. Are there plants I can grow that will attract bats, and are there plants that are bat-like in appearance?
The organization Bats Northwest recommends providing habitat (such as hollow trees and snags). The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has information on bat houses you can build or purchase. More information can be found at Bat Conservation International.
I did not find specific lists of bat-attracting plants, but providing a diverse tree canopy which includes trees that attract moths (for bats to eat) may make your landscape more bat-friendly. The British Bat Conservation Trust suggests that you leave some wild areas in the garden, add a pond if you can (as a place for bats to drink and forage on insects and their larvae), and plant night-scented flowers. Plant diversity seems to be the key: you can try growing flowers of different shapes, sizes, and fragrances, pale single flowers, and flowers which are good “landing platforms” for insects (such as daisy and carrot family plants).
There are several plants that resemble bats. Here are a few suggestions:
- Cuphea llavea (bat-faced Cuphea)
- Tacca chantrieri (black bat flower)
This link also lists other ‘spooky’ plants, such as the ghostly-looking Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe), should you wish to extend the theme. - Dracula orchids
