Top 23 Plants for Pollinators: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies, & Hummingbirds
Last Updated on May 11, 2024
Thinking of adding plants for pollinators to your garden? Wonderful! Thank you for your interest in helping our little friends. This article highlights 23 of the best flowering plants for pollinators that provide essential sources of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, birds and more. I’ve included photos, a brief description, compatible zones, bloom time, and quick growing tips for each flower on the list. We’ll also explore some simple tips on how to plan and plant a pollinator garden.
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Why Support Pollinators
The benefit of creating a pollinator garden isn’t just for the birds and the bees. A healthy population of pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles, and even ants are the backbone of all life – and our food systems. Did you know that pollinators are directly responsible for one-third of all food that humans consume, including everything from fruit and veggies to coffee and chocolate?
Pollinators are considered a keystone species group. The National Geographic Society describes a keystone species as “a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.”
The simple presence of pollinators in your garden will bring so much added joy to your life too. They certainly do to ours! It is part of the overall garden therapy experience. Planting a pollinator garden is a win-win, all around.
“Without the actions of pollinators, agricultural economies, our food supply, and surrounding landscapes would collapse.”
Pollinators.org
Planning a Pollinator Garden
Selecting and acquiring plants
As much as possible, choose plants for pollinators that are native to your area since they’re most adapted to your local climate and wildlife. The majority of the plants on the list are at least native to North America. I did not include invasive plants like butterfly bush.
Many of the pollinator plants on this list are simple to start from seed, though it’s also quick and easy to buy potted plants from a local nursery. Selecting plants for pollinators from a local nursery (instead of a big box store) increases the likelihood that they’re well suited to your area. Most of our nurseries have a designed native section.
See related: Top 7 Easy Annual Flowers to Grow From Seed.
Include variety
Choose a variety of plants for pollinators that bloom at different times throughout the year! This will help provide a continuous food supply for our pollinator friends as the seasons change. Another way to accomplish this is by staggering the time you start various annuals over a few months, referred to as succession planting.
Additionally, try to incorporate a mix of flower structure types – some short and stout blooms, some long and tubular. This will help attract different pollinators, as they’ll choose whatever kind of bloom best suits their tongues! In addition to flowers, include plants like milkweed, fennel and dill – known host plants that butterfly larvae feed on.
We also focus on planting a variety of both annual and perennial pollinator plants in our gardens.
Go Organic
Last but certainly not least, it is critical that we exercise organic gardening practices and avoid the use of pesticides at home. Especially in a space dedicated to pollinators! As your little ecosystem becomes established and blossoms, pests are often times kept in check naturally by wild birds and beneficial insects.
Ways to Add Pollinator Plants to the Garden or Yard
I’m embarrassed to admit that when we first started gardening, we weren’t “into” flowers and didn’t prioritize them. Now, we incorporate flowering plants for pollinators into every nook and cranny we can!
- Tuck annual flowers in raised garden beds as companion plants between vegetables and herbs.
- Grow plants for pollinations in containers around the garden, including on a patio or balcony garden. Most of the plants on this list grow very well in pots.
- Create designated “pollinator zones” full of flowering perennial plants, shrubs, and trees. We have in-ground flower beds with pollinator plants around the borders of our raised bed garden area, as well as tucked between the fruit trees in our orchard.
- Scatter wildflower seeds in more wild spaces of the yard. Even better, ditch your lawn and create a native wildflower meadow instead!
Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are….
THE TOP 23 PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS
1) Calendula ~ Calendula officinalis
Description: Shorter, bushy plants full of orange/yellow, daisy-like flowers that provide both pollen and nectar for pollinators. Note that calendula comes in colors other than the classic orange, like gorgeous Strawberry Blonde flowers. Some of our other favorites include Resina, Orange King, Pink Surprise, and Pacific Beauty.
Did you know that Calendula is technically an herb, and has many medicinal properties? It is cherished by herbalists who use the flower petals to make healing and soothing tinctures, infusions, and salves. The edible flowers also make for a special touch on salads or as a garnish! Their big hooked seeds make for easy seed-saving. Commonly referred to as “pot marigold”, note that calendula is not a marigold. I know, it’s weird and confusing. To read more about growing and using calendula, see this article all about it!
Zones: Annuals, zones 2 – 11
Bloom time: Spring through late fall. They put off continuous blooms up until frost! Deadhead to keep bloom production at peak.
Attracts: Bees & butterflies. In addition to being an excellent plant for pollinators, calendula are an companion plant with veggies because they repel pest insects while attracting beneficials like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.
Growing Requirements: Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or directly outside after the last frost. Fast-growing. Full sun, partial shade in the hottest climates. Adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Suitable for containers.
2) Marigold ~ Tagetes
Description: Marigolds are annual flowers that range from red to orange to yellow. Like calendula, they’re excellent companion plants. They repel pest insects like cabbage moths. French marigolds are also reported to deter root-knot nematodes in soil. The plant size can vary depending on the variety, ranging from 6 inches tall or up to 4 feet tall! These Tangerine Gem, are adorable petite plants. If your marigolds grow out of control and start to crowd their companion veggies, marigolds tolerate pruning back very well.
Zones: 2 – 11 in warmer months. Zones 10 and higher can enjoy marigolds virtually year-round.
Bloom time: Continuous blooms from late spring up until frost.
Attracts: Butterflies and moths
Growing Requirements: Easy to grow! Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or directly outside after the last frost. Full sun, and warm temperatures preferred. Suitable for a variety of soil types and containers. Maintain soil moist, but not soggy.
3) Salvia
Description: The term “salvia” includes a massive group of plants, with something like 800 or 900 different species! Culinary sage is a salvia too. Salvia plants and flowers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors – ranging from massive 5 foot bushes full of tiny blooms, to a few single tall stalks on a petite compact plant. Some are woody, hardy perennial shrubs and some are more tender annuals. Most salvias produce blooms that drive pollinators wild!
We have at least a dozen different salvia varieties in our garden, but some of the absolute favorites are Hummingbird sage (perennial in zones 8-11), Wild Watermelon Salvia (perennial in zones 7-10), “Mystic Spires Blue” salvia (perennial in zones 7-10), and “Love and Wishes” salvia (perennial in zones 9-11). On my “want” list is also pineapple sage, as a dual-purpose edible herb and all-around awesome plant for pollinators.
Zones: While most varieties enjoy zones 7 – 11 most, particularly as perennials, there are definitely some salvias that are hardy in lower zones! Check out this article that describes some colder-tolerant types, and of course, make sure to check with your local nursery! They will carry what works in your area.
Bloom time: Most prolific spring-fall, though year-round flowers are common in mild climates.
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, but ESPECIALLY hummingbirds. Of all the plants in our garden, the hummers love the salvia most.
Growing Requirements: Most types of salvia prefer full sun, though some can tolerate some shade. For example, hummingbird sage appreciates some shade in the hottest climates. Most are also drought tolerant, so avoid poor draining soil or overwatering.
4) Nasturtium ~ Tropaeolum
Description: Easy to grow, sprawling, edible, lovely nasturtium! The peppery arugula-like leaves are edible, as well as the flowers. The blooms come in a variety of colors, and provide pollen and nectar for our garden friends. Readily self-seeds around your garden space. We especially love the hummingbird-magnet tropical beauty Aloha mix, and these pretty variegated Alaska Mix.
Zones: Annuals in zones 4 – 8, possible perennial in zone 9 – 11. Ours live through the winter here!
Bloom time: Early summer through fall in most climates.
Attracts: Bumblebees, hummingbirds, and moths. Aphids also love them, which makes them a good “trap crop”. To prevent the infestation from getting out of control, give the aphids a good hard blast of water.
Growing Requirements: These guys prefer to be direct-sown. Direct sow seeds outdoors after last frost. Low to moderate water. Prefers well draining soil and no standing water. Will grow in sun or shade, but flower more prolifically if they receive at least 6 hours of sun. However, they don’t like extreme heat, so opt for morning sun and afternoon shade in the hottest climates. Will self-seed and spread if the spent flowers are not deadheaded and collected.
5) Lavender ~ Lavendula
Description: Possibly the quintessential plants for pollinators. Tall spikes of lavender blooms over bushy silver/sage green foliage. The size and shape of the blooms and plants vary depending on the variety! Lavender comes in three main types: English, Spanish and French ~ with many varieties within each. We grow a little from each group!
Zones: Perennial in zones 6 – 7 and higher, annual in zones 6 and lower. Plant in spring as an annual. English lavender is said to be hardy down to zone 5, while the others prefer higher zones.
Bloom time: Summer through fall. Potentially year-round in mild climates, particularly when spent blooms are deadheaded.
Attracts: Bees! Repels mosquitoes and flies.
Growing Requirements: Full sun, though it may benefit from some afternoon shade in the hottest climates. Plant in well-draining soil. Add half cactus mix even. The last thing lavender likes is wet feet! Thus, one of the most common lavender care mistakes is overwatering. No need to bother with fertilizer either – it does well in poor to moderate soil. Lavender is slow and can be frustrating to start from seed. We generally buy established plants from a local nursery.
6) Cosmos
Description: Annual. These dainty daisy-like flowers atop long slender stems, and come in many colors. Additionally, cosmos make great cut flowers. The plant size can vary from 1 to 5 feet tall, depending on the variety you choose! Therefore, taller varieties may need staking for support. Seashell cosmos are SO stunning (shown below) and we also love this Sensation blend.
Zones: Annuals in zones 2 – 8, possible perennial in zone 9 – 11.
Bloom time: Late spring until frost.
Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, and moths
Growing Requirements: Easy to direct-sow outdoors. Simply scatter seeds on bare soil in springtime, after the danger of frost has passed, or start indoors the weeks prior. Grows well in beds or containers, and survives even the poorest soil conditions. Drought-tolerant, and prefers warm, dry weather. In the hottest climates, provide partial shade. Avoid fertilizer, as this can result in a lot of greenery but not many blooms.
7) Verbena ~ Vervain
Description: Verbena is a huge family that includes over 250 species of both annual and perennial plants. Most of them produce flowers that pollinators go wild for! A couple of favorite perennial verbena types in our garden are Verbena bonariensis (Lollipop) and Princess Dark Lavender.
Zones: Most species will grow in zones 5 – 11, but as perennials only in zones 7-11.
Bloom time: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more!
Attracts: Butterflies! Verbena is a central source of nectar for the monarchs in our yard. Supposedly they also attract hummingbirds, though our hummers have other favorites they visit over verbena.
Growing Requirements: Full sun to part shade. Drought tolerant, so provide well-draining soil. Verbena is known to be a bit finicky and slow to start from seed. Depending on the variety, they can take over a month to germinate, so it is suggested to start indoors up to 12 weeks before your last spring frost date. Consequently, this may be one that’s simply easiest to buy started plants from your local nursery. We do. Verbena is susceptible to powdery mildew, so provide plenty of space around it for good air flow and prevention.
8) Milkweed ~ Asclepias
Description: There are over 100 species of milkweed with a huge diversity in foliage, flower color, size and appearance! But they all feed monarch butterflies. Check out this article by Monarch Butterfly Garden to find a milkweed native to your area.
Tropical milkweed is a popular option because the monarchs love it, and it is fast and easy to grow. However, tropical milkweed do not die back in winter as other native species do, which can lead to a disruption in the monarchs natural migration pattern. If you choose to grow tropical milkweed, ensure you cut it back for the winter to about 6” and remove foliage no later than Thanksgiving. This also helps prevent the spread of OE, a parasite that inflicts monarchs. To learn about attracting and responsibly raising monarch butterflies, see this post. We are a registered monarch waystation and rear them here!
Zones: Depends on the variety. Find one that will work for you using the link above!
Bloom time: Spring into summer
Attracts: Monarch butterflies. It is the sole food source or “host plant” for monarch caterpillars, and the one place adult monarch butterflies lay their eggs. The butterflies also drink nectar from the flowers. Aphids are also drawn to milkweed. Don’t spray the plants! Just smush the aphids with your fingers and spray them off with water – but watch out for baby monarch cats!
Growing Requirements: Full sun to light shade. With the exception of tropical varieties, most milkweed seeds need “vernalization” (a prolonged period of cold temperatures, such as freezing outside or even in household freezer) to germinate.
9) Borage ~ Borago
Description: Prickly leathery leaves and star-shaped bluish purple flowers. The edible flowers can serve as a beautiful garnish to any summertime salad or drink! The borage plant is a vigorous, low-maintenance annual plant. In addition to being a great plant for pollinators, the flowers are edible and add a beautiful pop of color to salads or summer drinks. Furthermore, the borage greens are full of nutrients that make them a great addition to compost.
Zones: All zones!
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Attracts: Bees. Like crazy.
Growing Requirements: Sun to part shade. Direct-sow seeds outside after the last date of frost. Warning: Borage re-seeds itself like crazy! If buy seeds once and plant it, you’ll never have to plant it again! If you do not want it to spread itself, remove the flowers before they go to seed and drop. We let it re-seed and pick out excess plants for the compost. It also makes stellar chop-and-drop mulch for garden beds. We use it on the soil in our cannabis grow bags.
10) Agastache (Anise Hyssop)
Description: These tall showy, long-lasting spikes full of hundreds of individual blooms are essential in a pollinator garden! Also called “hummingbird mint”, they’re a favorite nectar source for our sweet little bird friends. Agastache is also deer and rabbit resistant, if that is an issue on your homestead. Beautiful blooms come in lavender, dark purple, blue hues, peach, and more. Of the dozens of types of Agastache, our favorite it Anise hyssop or Agastache foeniculum. It smells particularly amazing, is highly attractive to monarch butterflies and bees, and also makes for amazing tea!
Zones: Annual in any zone, perennials in many zones (depends on the variety)
Bloom time: Spring through fall, heaviest in summer
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Growing Requirements: Prefers full sun, or partial afternoon shade in hottest climates. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil. Adding compost in the planting hole is good, but no fertilizer is needed. Agastache is drought-tolerant once established. In colder climates, it will die back in the winter and grow as an annual. However, it self-seeds easily in your garden and will keep coming back each year! Press seeds in the soil surface but do not bury. Germination can take several weeks, so patience is key! Purchasing established plants from a local nursery is also a good option.
11) Heliotrope ~ Heliotropium
Description: These fairly compact plants for pollinators range from 1 to 3 feet high, with dark green fuzzy foliage. The plants produce very fragrant, vanilla-scented flowers that range from blue-purple, lavender, or even white. Some claim they smell more like cherry pie!
Zones: Perennial in zones 9b – 11, annual in all others
Bloom time: Summer through fall
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds
Growing Requirements: Heliotrope prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Compared to other pollinator-friendly plants on this list, these guys aren’t as drought-tolerant. Therefore, in places where summers are very hot, it will benefit from some afternoon shade.
12) Yarrow ~ Achillea
Description: Clusters of small yellow, pink, white, red, or lavender flowers. One of our favorite varieties is “Moonshine” yarrow, which has silvery-sage, fuzzy foliage with yellow and white flowers. Yarrow is a biodynamic accumulator, meaning it takes up and stores vital nutrients and minerals in its tissues. Therefore, we use the spent, deadheaded flowers as mulch or as an addition to compost. The foliage base of most yarrow varieties stay fairly small, around 2 to 3 feet, but their flowers can exude a floppy and sprawling appearance.
Zones: Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Moonshine yarrow are both hardy in zones 3 – 10
Bloom time: Late spring through fall.
Attracts: Butterflies and bees. We’ve found ladybugs seem to be attracted to yarrow too!
Growing Requirements: Yarrow does well in poor to moderate soil, as long as it is well-draining. As a drought-tolerant plant, ensure it doesn’t get overwatered. Most varieties thrive in hot, dry conditions, though we have found some types with tender fern-like foliage get wilty and a little fried in hot summer afternoon sun. Partial (afternoon) shade is okay for all varieties Deadhead and compost or mulch spent flowers.
13) Oregano ~ Origanum
Description: Yep! This perennial herb is another multi-use all star! Growing oregano provides you delicious culinary seasoning to use fresh or dried, and as long as you allow it to flower, becomes an uber bee-magnet as the season goes on. Its trailing growth habit makes it perfect for sprawling ground cover, in containers, or to trail down the sides of border walls. We love our Italian Oregano patches, though the Greek variety is very popular as well!
Zones: Can be a perennial in all zones, if protected. In zones 7 and lower it will lose its leaves in winter. Cover with mulch or a cold frame for protection at that time. On the other hand, you could keep it in a container to bring indoors during winter. Oregano is an evergreen perennial in zones 8 and higher.
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Attracts: Bees and possibly hummingbirds
Growing Requirements: Full sun, or partial shade in zones 7 and higher. Our fully exposed patch gets a little crispy in the later summer here in zone 9b/10a, and our partially shaded one looks happier. Allow soil to dry out slightly between watering. Provide compost and well-draining soil.
14) Sunflowers ~ Helianthus
Description: Annual. Tall, stunning, large-headed flowers. Make sure to choose pollen-bearing varieties for the bees! We love branching, multi-headed varieties that extend the life and number of blooms over time that come from one flower stalk. Sunflowers are heliotropic, which means they turn the face of their flower to follow the pattern of the Sun across the sky throughout the day.
I’ve never met a sunflower I didn’t fancy, but some of our favorite varieties include Evening Colors, Sonja, Goldy Double, Lemon Queen, Autumn Beauty, Mammoth, Strawberry Blonde and Mexican Sunflowers (though not a true sunflower). We choose a lot of multi-headed branching types that boast a longer blooming season.
Zones: All zones.
Bloom time: Summer into fall, depending on when they’re planted.
Attracts: Bees and birds
Growing Requirements: Full Sun. Some may require staking for support. Most varieties are drought tolerant, so don’t overdo the water! Direct sow seeds outside after the last frost. For an early start, seeds can be started indoors the weeks prior to frost. If you choose to do so, provide ample light so they don’t get too leggy!
15) Coneflower ~ Echinacea
Description: Daisy-like coneflowers of various colors attract and provide pollen for pollinators, and are also a staple in home apothecary gardens! Even though they’ll die back in winter and need a good deadheading, these plants are hardy perennials. Purple coneflower, or Echinacea purpurea, is the most popular and well-known plant for pollinators. However, it comes in many other stunning colors. Check out this colorful coneflower mix!
Zones: 3-10
Bloom time: Midsummer through mid fall.
Attracts: Bees, butterflies and songbirds
Growing Requirements: Prefers full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Plant in soil rich with compost, but ensure it is well-draining. They’re drought tolerant and enjoy heat!
16) Zinnia
Description: Zinnas are one of our favorite plants for pollinators, and our monarchs love them even more! Large poofy flowers on tall stems standout as showstoppers in any garden. Furthermore, zinnas come in dozens of sizes and colors. Best of all, they’re very easy to grow, mature quickly, and bloom heavily over many months.
Zones: Annual for all zones. Frost will kill zinnias.
Bloom time: First blooms can appear 60-70 days after sowing seeds. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooms. Additionally, seeds can be planted in succession to stagger blooms.
Attracts: Butterflies and bees. A huge favorite for our monarchs!
Growing Requirements: Prefers full sun, but will tolerate a little shade. Plant in soil rich with compost, but well-draining. Direct sow outside after the last frost. Zinnias are said to not tolerate starting indoors and transplanting well, though we have with no issues. Our zinnia were prone to powdery mildew – until we found these awesome PM-resistant varieties from Johnny’s Seeds. I’m also quite fond of Giant Coral, Purple Prince, Giant Yellow, Queen Red Lime and many more.
17) Blazing Meadow Star ~ Liatris
Description: I wish these bad boys were native to our area! Showy, tall, fuzzy spears of purple flowers covered in monarch butterflies anyone? Blazing Meadow Star is a known “monarch magnet”. These perennial plants for pollinators can reach over 4 feet tall.
Zones: 3 – 8, native to midwestern prairies
Bloom time: August and September
Attracts: Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Average water requirements – enjoys occasional deep watering, but do not overwater frequently. Deer and rabbit resistant.
18) Penstemon
Description: This is another diverse group that encompasses hundreds of species and options! You should be able to find a perennial penstemon to suit every zone and garden. Penstemon range from less than a foot tall to over 5 feet tall. The nectar-rich flowers also come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes.
Zones: 3 – 10
Bloom time: Spring through fall, dependent on variety
Attracts: Bees and hummingbirds
Growing Requirements: Mostly full sun, but will benefit from afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Not fussy and do well in poor soil, as long as it is well-draining. Therefore, clay soils aren’t ideal, and sandy loamy soil is best. Deep but infrequent water. Drought-tolerant once established.
19) Aster
Description: Perennial. Pretty daisy-like blooms grow on plants that vary in size and color, depending on the variety. The most common is beautiful purple Aster alpinus, which is native to North America.
Zones: 3 – 11, depending on variety
Bloom time: mid or late summer to fall
Attracts: Butterflies and bees
Growing Requirements: Full sun in locations with cooler summers and moist conditions – which is what they prefer. Choose partial shade in warmer climates. Plant with compost in well-draining soil. Maintain regular moisture. Disease and deer resistant.
20) Goldenrod ~ Solidago
Description: Spears of fluffy golden yellow blooms reach anywhere from 1 to 5 feet tall, averaging around 2 to 3 feet for most modern cultivars. Goldenrod is part of the Aster Family. There are over 100 varieties of goldenrod, and many are native to North America.
Zones: There are varieties suitable for every zone.
Bloom time: Late summer through fall
Attracts: Bees and butterflies, as well as other beneficial insects.
Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Goldenrod will tolerate poor soil, as long as it has good drainage. It requires very little care or water once established. Warning: These plants for pollinators can get huge, and spread aggressively. Considered invasive outside of its native range.
21) Bee Balm ~ Monarda
Description: Fragrant, nectar-filled flowers perch on top of tall stalks in interesting round clusters. Blooms can appear in red, pink, lavender, and more! Bee balm is part of the mint family, but unlike other mints, it stays in clumps and does not rampantly spread by underground rhizomes. This hardy perennial can also be used to make tea. This stunning variety of bee balm is on my “must have” list ~ coming soon to our garden!
Zones: 3 – 9
Bloom time: Late Spring through fall, depending on variety
Attracts: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
Growing Requirements: Sun to partial shade. Some shade is preferred in hot climates. Prefers rich, moist, slightly acidic soil.
22) Pincushion ~ Scabiosa
Description: Round, frilly, tufted flowers that appear in lavender, blues, pink and white. Most varieties are fairly short, averaging around a foot tall. Because they’re compact, these cute plants for pollinators are well-suited for containers and borders. Both annual and perennial varieties exist.
Zones: 3-8, mostly. They do not like overly wet conditions, or hot and humid weather. If you’re in a more mild version of zone 9-10 like we here on the Central Coast, they do just fine!
Bloom time: Late spring through fall, depending on variety
Attracts: Bees – and Butterflies especially!
Growing Requirements: Sun to partial shade. Some shade is preferred in hot climates. Pincushions prefer rich, well-draining soil. Including some compost in their planting hole will keep them happy! Average water is preferred – not too much, but they aren’t necessarily drought-tolerant either.
23) Bachelor’s Buttons ~ Centaurea
Description: Last (but not least) on our plants for pollinators list, Bachelor’s Buttons. These annuals are also called cornflowers. Their 2” thistle-like blooms bring interest to the garden, attract butterflies, are edible, and are perfect for cut and dried flower arrangements. Classic colors include blue to purple hues, but also are available in red, white, pink, and others.
Zones: 2 – 11
Bloom time: Late spring to mid-summer. Blooms can be extended into fall with deadheading, which also helps prevent the spread of seed.
Attracts: Butterflies
Growing Requirements: Sun to partial shade, and some shade is preferred in hot climates. Sow indoors early, or direct sow outdoors around the time of last frost. Very little water or fertilizer is needed. Bachelor’s buttons are not fussy plants, although the tallest of plants may need staking for support.
And that concludes the list of the top 23 flowering plants for pollinators.
As you can see, nearly every type of plants for pollinators on this list can be grown in a wide range of zones. Maybe only as annuals instead of perennials, but that is absolutely okay. Add them to containers, raised beds, in-ground… anywhere you can! If you want to take it a step further, consider adding water sources, places to nest, and turning your yard (of any size!) into a Certified Wildlife Habitat – see this article to learn more.
In closing, I hope this list helps you narrow down a handful (or more!) of plants for pollinators you can include in your garden. The pollinators and our planet thank you! Feel free to ask questions, and share this post to spread the pollinator love. Finally, happy plant shopping!
Deanna Talerico
Deanna Talerico (aka DeannaCat) is a garden educator and writer with over 15 years experience in organic gardening. She is a retired Senior Environmental Health Specialist, and holds a M.A. in Environmental Studies and B.S. in Sustainability and Natural Resources.
31 Comments
Laraine
This article is very helpful with the images. You have a magnificent garden! And, obviously a green thumb and hard work effort thank you for sharing!
Yachyala
Hi,
I’ve been admiring those beautiful red flowers in your tomato A frame garden beds! Pleaseeeee what kind of flowers are they!? We will be using your method on our tomatoes, all the way from Tropical North Queensland, Australia!
Thanks in advance.
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Yachyala, so great to hear you are going to be trying out the A-frame tomato trellis system! The red flowers are most likely Giant Coral zinnias and they are one of our favorite varieties to grow, hope that helps and have fun growing over in beautiful North Queensland!
Gina D from Texas
I planted pollinating plants two years ago but the rabbits ate every single plant. Do you know if any of these are rabbit resistant?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Gina, while we fortunately don’t have to deal with rabbits in our garden, it seems that lavender, marigolds, salvia, yarrow, anise hyssop and bee balm, along with fox gloves, and even catmint are all considered “rabbit resistant”. However, we have a similar issue with gophers and they have been known to eat plants that are considered “gopher resistant” as well, not sure if you have the ability to rabbit proof your growing space to any degree as keeping them out of your garden will likely yield the best results. You could even try and add a small fence that surrounds each of your plants, as the plant grows in size, it may be big enough to handle the potential damage that a rabbit may cause, I am thinking of lavender in particular here as some varieties get 2-4 feet tall and wide. Hope that helps and good luck!
Kat
A while back the bees here had nearly disappeared, with the exception of a few “guard” bees around the house. I’ve been trying to get some small flower beds going outside my little veg patch for the last 7 or so years. Mostly perennials cause buying a bunch of new stuff every year is not sustainable on my tiny budget. Anyway, 4 years ago I saw the first honeybee in years! And the next year and last year, more and more bees! Honeybees, bumbles, things I’d never seen oh my! Then the polar blast killed off several of my plants, including the 2+ lavender, all the rosemaries, one of which was so massive it was bigger than me! I used it for a Christmas tree! The hummingbirds and honeybees loved it and it was always in bloom. I think the creeping phloxes were the first to bloom this year. There were a few bumblebees and butterflies at first but a few weeks later they pretty much disappeared. My remaining sage plants have now been blooming for a few weeks and normally would be a constant buzz of activity, but I’ve only seen one bee on them in all this time! The bees and butterflies are just GONE! Any ideas?? There are some other flowers around, and I’m trying to get my seeds to sprout, and grow (that’s a whole other story and frustraion) for more flowers but there aren’t any bees around. Even the guard bees are gone and that’s just weird. I’m lost!
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Kat, that’s too bad about the pollinators in your area, while I can’t say why they have disappeared, I would just continue to build a pollinator friendly garden space, focusing on flowering perennials that won’t be killed off by normal winter weather in your location and they will last for many years, making them much more cost effective. It may be good to invest in some frost cloth that you can use to cover your more vulnerable plants if incredibly cold weather is on the horizon as the weather seems to be a lot more unpredictable these days. Hopefully as the weather warms, the bees and other pollinators will be filling your garden space with their buzz. Hope that helps and have fun growing!
Vivian Maio
Last Fall, I covered up my two lavender plants with straw, and then with plastic storage boxes, put a rock on top to keep in place. they did even better than just survive! They were still green in the spring, then growth just took off! Doing it again for the coming winter!
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Vivian, thanks for sharing and that’s great you found a way to overwinter your lavender plants, have fun growing!
Amanda
I was wondering about layout as well. If you decide to grow some from seeds, do you keep each type in its own area? I feel like I could easily end up with a mix of things everywhere. My space I’m wanting to plant us smaller 8-10ft by 8-10 ft. Should that make a difference in my pollinator choices or layout?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Amanda, your layout of plants will just depend on what type of look you are after, the size of the plants once fully mature and the specific climate you are growing in. We like to mix a variety of plants into a specific space, if you are worried about annuals reseeding each year and potentially crowding your space, mixing in more perennial type plants that grow year round or grow back once the weather warms in spring after they died back over winter is a way to keep your pollinator space to the specs that you first started off with. We like to mix in a number of perennial plants but also plant a few annuals here and there and if they reseed, the seedlings are often very easy to remove if necessary, but again, a lot can depend on your growing climate, the size the plants reach once mature, and how long of a growing season you have. Hope that helps and reach out if you have any other questions.
Jay
Hi-great article-I’m looking to add pollinators around my avocado tree-can you recommend a ground cover pollinator? I can use a few of your suggestions in this article but eventually the avo tree will take over-the tree is only 2 years old with a 3 feet canapy.
Thanks
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Jay, at our old property we hand nasturtiums and various other pollinator plants, some annual and some perennials planted underneath and around one of our avocado trees but I can’t think of an exact ground cover you should use. I wouldn’t choose anything too permanent but I would suggest using wood chips as mulch if you aren’t already doing so. Hope that helps and good luck!
Cat
I enjoyed this post. I am establishing new planting beds around my new (to me) home. Have you thought about possibly providing a recommended guide to laying out these pollinators. I am so overwhelmed at which plants should be placed where so that the lower growing ones don’t get buried beneath the taller plants. I realize everyone’s sitwill be different and depends on which direction the sun will project on your flower bed. It would be helpful though to start with a layout that assumes a south facing garden or whatever is recommended. Thanks for all the information you share. I hope to start a small vegetable garden and front flower beds this growing season. Cheers..
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Cat, that is a good idea. The main thing to think about is how large the plants may get with time, if you have two plants that grow 2×2 feet each, you will have to space them accordingly. Don’t overthink it too much either, just plant them out in a way that looks good to you (while taking plant size, sun needs etc. into consideration) and you can always change things in the future. Hope that helps and good luck on getting your garden and flower beds going this year, it should be a lot of fun!