Tips for Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

The Best Plants to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden

Creating a garden that attracts pollinators is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps your plants thrive by ensuring successful pollination. Here’s a guide to the best plants you can grow to attract a variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

• Pollinators: Monarch butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, providing a place for them to lay eggs and a food source for caterpillars.

2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Lavender’s fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, and it blooms for an extended period.

3. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Sunflowers offer abundant pollen and nectar, making them a favorite for many pollinators.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Coneflowers provide a reliable food source and their large, daisy-like flowers are easy for pollinators to access.

5. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Bee Balm produces vibrant blooms that are highly attractive to a variety of pollinators.

6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: These bright yellow flowers bloom for a long time and provide ample nectar and pollen.

7. Borage (Borago officinalis)

• Pollinators: Bees

• Why It's Great: Borage flowers produce nectar continuously, making them a reliable food source for bees.

8. Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)

• Pollinators: Butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Zinnias’ vibrant colors and easy-to-access blooms make them a magnet for butterflies and bees.

9. Lantana (Lantana camara)

• Pollinators: Butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Lantana's clusters of small flowers are perfect for attracting butterflies and bees.

10. Sage (Salvia spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, hummingbirds

• Why It's Great: Sage flowers are rich in nectar and attract both bees and hummingbirds.

11. Phlox (Phlox spp.)

• Pollinators: Butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Phlox flowers provide a sweet fragrance and attract a variety of pollinators with their nectar-rich blooms.

12. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Catmint produces abundant, long-lasting blooms that are highly attractive to pollinators.

13. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Alyssum’s small, fragrant flowers attract a variety of pollinators and are easy to grow.

14. Verbena (Verbena spp.)

• Pollinators: Butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Verbena's clusters of tiny flowers are ideal for attracting butterflies and bees.

15. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Marigolds are easy to grow and their bright blooms attract a variety of pollinators.

16. Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Cosmos flowers provide ample nectar and pollen, and their long blooming period makes them a reliable food source.

17. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

• Pollinators: Bees

• Why It's Great: Snapdragons’ tubular flowers are a favorite of bees, providing both nectar and pollen.

18. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Yarrow’s flat-topped clusters of flowers make it easy for pollinators to access nectar and pollen.

19. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

• Pollinators: Butterflies, bees

• Why It's Great: Joe-Pye Weed produces tall, fragrant blooms that attract a variety of pollinators.

20. Hollyhocks (Alcea spp.)

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies

• Why It's Great: Hollyhocks’ tall spikes of blooms provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen.

Tips for Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

1. Choose a Variety of Plants: Plant a diverse range of flowers that bloom at different times to provide a continuous food source throughout the growing season.

2. Provide Shelter: Include shrubs, trees, and other plants that offer shelter and nesting sites for pollinators.

3. Avoid Pesticides: Minimize or eliminate the use of pesticides, which can be harmful to pollinators.

4. Plant in Clusters: Grouping plants together in clusters makes it easier for pollinators to find and collect nectar.

5. Include Native Plants: Native plants are often the best food sources for local pollinators and are well-adapted to your region’s conditions.