Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Suncredible ® Yellow helianthus . pic by : Proven Winners .
There ’s a pot of buzz these days about supporting pollinators . But what exactly are pollinator and why are they authoritative ?
seminal fluid - develop plants need to be pollinated in ordination to reproduce , maintain genetic diversity , and evolve fruits and seeds . Nearly all food crop bank on pollination bybeneficial insectsand other animals . Without pollinator , the ground ’s ecosystem would n’t live on .
Plants and pollinator have develop to create a symbiotic kinship . Pollinators depend on flower nectar and pollen as their food source , and plants are fertilized when pollinator transfer pollen between flowers . The most intimate pollinator admit butterflies , bees , and hummingbirds , though many other animals such as moths , flies , ants , beetles , and bats also encounter a crucial use .
What are pollinator plants?
Some plants are more attractive to pollinator than others because they are more accessible and farm more food . pollinator have acquire to seek out plants that are a rich generator of nectar and pollen .
What attracts pollinators to plants?
plant have certain traits that entice pollinators such as flower colour , shape and scent .
On this pageboy : Perennials for Pollinators|Annuals for Pollinators|Shrubs for Pollinators
On this page :
Pollinator universe have refuse significantly in recent years , mainly due to home ground red ink . Homeowners can help by create pollinator - favorable gardens . Here are some of the good pollinator flora to include in your yard .
PERENNIALS FOR POLLINATORS
' Serendipity ' allium . Photo : Proven Winners
ALLIUM (Alliumspp.)
Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:6 to 48 inch tall , 3 to 10 inches wideBloom clip : bound to summer
Related to edible onion , garlic , and leeks , Alliumis grow for the attractive globe - shaped blossom with tiny star - shaped florets . The flowers are a seed of sweet nectar for honey bee , bumble bee , and other insects . Learn allium plant .
Pictured:‘Serendipity ' alliumfrom Proven Winners .
' Royal Raspberry ' Pimpinella anisum hyssop . Photo : Proven Winners
ANISE HYSSOP (Agastache foeniculum)
Zones:5 - 9 , for most varietiesExposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano habitHeight / Spread:2 to 4 feet marvellous , 1 to 3 feet wideBloom fourth dimension : Early summertime to early spill
Purple or lilac-colored peak spike prime throughout summer . This heap congener supports a extensive compass of pollinator including hummingbirds , honey bees , bumble bees , and butterflies . Learn anise hyssop .
Photo : Cousin_Avi / Shutterstock
ASTER (Symphyotrichumspp.)
Zones:3 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 fundament tall , 1 to 4 feet wideBloom time : Summer to light
This North American native with pollyannaish daisy - like flowers provides a food source for many pollinator at a time of twelvemonth when other food author are scarce . Endangered milkweed butterfly coquette feed on the nectar in preparation for their journeying to the south . Learn aster peak .
' Leading Lady Plum ' bee balm . Photo : Proven Winners
BEE BALM (Monardaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to fond shadeHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 feet marvellous , 1 to 3 feet wideBloom sentence : Late give to fall down
Bee balm is one of the best plant that attract pollinator . Whorls of red , purplish , pinkish , or white vasiform prime supply a steady source of nutrient for bees , butterfly , and hummingbirds . Learn bee balm .
Pictured:‘Leading Lady Plum ' bee balmfrom Proven Winners .
' Kobold ' genus Liatris . Photo : Proven success
BLAZING STAR (Liatrisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 6 inches to 2 feet wideBloom metre : Summer to fall
This native has flowers spikes that cater nectar and pollen for a all-embracing orbit of bee , butterflies and good moth . The larvae of liatris efflorescence moth feed on the flowers and seeds , while liatris borer moth larvae deplete the stems . Learn blazing star .
Pictured:‘Kobold ' liatrisfrom Proven Winners .
' Cat ’s Pajamas ' catmint . photograph : Proven Winners
CATMINT (Nepetaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Mounding spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 substructure tall and wideBloom time : recent spring to flow
Catmint produces perfumed tubular blue flowers for months , providing a continuous germ of food for a wide scope of pollinator including honey bees , aboriginal bees , butterfly , and hummingbird . Learn Nepeta cataria .
Pictured:‘Cat ’s Pajamas ' catmintfrom Proven Winners .
photograph : Ken Druse
COLUMBINE (Aquilegiaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:8 to 36 inches tall , 8 to 24 inches wideBloom time : Mid - spring to early summer
Hawkmoths and bee are attracted to this native woodland recurrent for the long spurs and tube-shaped embodiment of the flower . Migratory hummingbird fuel up on columbine nectar during their journey north . Learn aquilege .
Color Coded ® ' The Fuchsia is Bright ' coneflower . Photo : Proven success
CONEFLOWER (Echinaceaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 understructure improbable , 1 to 2 feet wideBloom time : summertime
This aboriginal with cone - work flowers in an array of colors is one of the good summertime bloomers for supporting a wide compass of pollinators . Butterflies include monarchs , fritillaries , swallowtails , and painted ladies feed on the sweet ambrosia . Learn coneflower .
figure : Color cod ® ' The Fuchsia is Bright ' coneflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Decadence ® ' Blueberry Sundae ' genus Baptisia . picture : Proven Winners
FALSE INDIGO (Baptisiaspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to partial shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:3 to 4 feet tall and wideBloom sentence : previous spring to early summer
False indigo plant grow grandiloquent steeple of colorful pea plant - like flowers in springtime . The flowers are a nectar source for bumble bee and native bees . This native is a larval host industrial plant for butterfly and moth including orange sulphur , wild indigo duskywing , silver medal - spotted skipper , and genista broom moth . Learn false indigo .
envision : Decadence ® ' Blueberry Sundae ' baptisiafrom Proven Winners .
' pyrotechnic ' goldenrod . exposure : Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia
GOLDENROD (Solidagospp.)
Zones:3 - 8 , with some to Zone 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:1 to 7 feet tall , 1 to 6 metrical foot wideBloom time : later summer to fall
Goldenrod is an essential native plant with yellow flower plumes that support late time of year pollinator such as native bees , bumble bees , honey bees , butterfly , beetle , flies , moths , and white Anglo-Saxon Protestant . memorize goldenrod .
Photo : Heidi Hanson / Pixabay
JOE PYE WEED (Eutrochiumspp.)
Zones:3 - 9 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 feet tall , 1 to 5 animal foot wideBloom time : Mid - summertime to fall
The jazzy peak of this native plant are an indispensable belated time of year food source for hummingbirds , bumble bee , honey bee , wasps , and butterflies such as swallowtails , skipper , red admirals , and fritillaries . Migrating sovereign dally feast on the nectar - plenteous flowers as they make their journeying south . Learn Joe Pye weed .
Sweet Romance ® lavender . photograph : Proven Winners
LAVENDER (Lavandulaspp.)
Zones:5 - 11 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 5 feet wideBloom time : belated saltation to early fall
Lavender is an herb grown for the aromatic flower spikes and leaves that have a wide kitchen range of culinary , medicinal and cosmetic uses . A pet of beekeepers , the ambrosia - rich flowers attract butterflies and bees . Learn lavender .
Pictured : Sweet Romance ® lavenderfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Catherine Avilez / Shutterstock
MILKWEED (Asclepiasspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 substructure tall , 1 to 3 metrical foot wideBloom time : summertime
Milkweed is one of the most important pollinator - friendly industrial plant and the sole food reference for monarch butterfly stroke larvae . The flush nectar , pollen , and parting are food source for a wide range of mountains of bee , wasp , hoverflies , beetles , butterfly , and moth . study milkweed .
Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salvia . Photo : Proven Winners
SALVIA (Salviaspp.)
Zones:4 - 10 , depend on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 1 to 6 foot wideBloom clip : Late wintertime to fall , depending on variety
Salvia is a mint relative with ambrosia - rich flowers that invoke to a wide range of pollinator . The colorful cannular or open - faced flowers attract hummingbirds , butterflies , aboriginal bees , bumble bees , and beloved bee . Learn the dissimilar types of salvia .
Pictured : Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salviafrom Proven Winners .
picture : RukiMedia / Shutterstock
TICKSEED (Coreopsisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright mound habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 3 feet wideBloom time : Late fountain to fall , depending on the variety
The cheerful magnetic disk - mold flower of this aboriginal annual or recurrent provide a uninterrupted source of ambrosia . pollinate insects that feast on the blossom let in carpenter bee , foliage cutter bees , long - horned bees , and sulphur butterflies . take tickseed .
' Firefly Sunshine ' yarrow . picture : Proven Winners
YARROW (Achilleaspp.)
Zones:3 - 11 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 foot tall , 2 to 3 foot wideBloom time : Summer
compressed - topped prime clusters produce an abundance of nectar and pollen for bumble bees , dearest bee , and mason bees . Hummingbirds , hoverflies , moth , and butterflies including fritillaries and morning coat also fertilise on this summer food generator . check yarrow .
Pictured:‘Firefly Sunshine ' yarrowfrom Proven Winners .
ANNUALS FOR POLLINATORS
Photo : rdp15 / Shutterstock
BORAGE (Borago officinalis)
zone : Annual in all zonesExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright shaggy habitHeight / Spread:12 to 36 inches marvellous , 9 to 18 inches wideBloom time : summertime
Borage is a quick growing annual herbaceous plant with vivid blue star - shape heyday that appeal pollinators such as hummingbirds , butterflies , good wasps , hoverflies , dearest bees , and other bee species . flora borage in a vegetable garden to help get food crops pollinated .
' Candy Stripe ' cosmos . Photo : Proven Winners
COSMOS (Cosmosspp.)
zona : Most cosmos are annual in all zone . Chocolate cosmos is a tender perennial , hardy in Zones 7 - 11.Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright ramify habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 1 to 3 feet wideBloom time : Summer until frost
Cosmos have great open - face flowers that provide gentle access to many type of bee . Other pollinators include butterflies , lacewing fly , ladybugs , hoverflies , and ground mallet . Learn universe flowers .
Vermillionaire ® cuphea . Photo : Proven Winners
CUPHEA (Cupheaspp.)
zone : Most cuphea are grown as annuals in all zone , but are tender perennials in Zone 8 or above . pic : Full sunHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 metrical unit tall and wideBloom time : recent spring until frost
bonk as cigar plant , hummingbird find the vividly colored tubular flowers to be resistless . This one-year , recurrent , or shrub blooms nonstop from summer until Robert Frost , providing a continuous root of nectar for bees and butterflies as well . Learn cuphea .
show : Vermillionaire ® cupheafrom Proven Winners .
Sunstar ® Rose pentas . pic : Proven Winners .
EGYPTIAN STAR FLOWER (Pentas lanceolata)
Zones : Most often grown as an annual , but tender perennial in Zones 10 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright mounding habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 feet tall and wideBloom time : Summer
Egyptian star flower give rise nectar - rich clusters of bright colour principal - shaped flowers . Plants bloom nonstop throughout the summer until rime , attracting hummingbird , butterflies , and bees . Grow in container or as a bedding plant . memorize Egyptian star flower .
show : Sunstar ® Rose pentasfrom Proven Winners .
' Blue Horizon ' floss prime . Photo : InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock
FLOSS FLOWER (Ageratumspp.)
zone : Most often grown as an one-year , but overwinter in Zones 10 - 11Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : vertical or mound habitHeight / Spread:4 to 36 inches tall , 6 to 18 inches wideBloom prison term : Late natural spring to ice
Floss bloom has clusters of pompom - shaped flowers that occur in shades of blue , pink , white , lavender , and cerise . butterfly stroke , bees , and moths are pull in to the fluffy heyday . find out floss heyday .
Truffula ™ pinkish gomphrena . Photo : Proven winner
GLOBE AMARANTH (Gomphrenaspp.)
zone : one-year in all zonesExposure : Full sunHabit : vertical or mounding habitHeight / Spread:6 to 48 in tall , 6 to 24 column inch wideBloom sentence : Early summer to ice
earth - shaped blossom , which are actually colored leafage bract , bloom over a long period of time to sustain a wide range of mountains of bees and butterflies , let in sea captain . memorize globe amaranth .
Pictured : Truffula ™ Pink gomphrenafrom Proven Winners .
pleasant-tasting ® Goldengate ™ lantana . Photo : Proven Winners
LANTANA (Lantanaspp.)
Zones:9 - 11 , reckon on the variety , usually maturate as an yearly in areas with cooler wintersExposure : Full sunHabit : vertical bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 3 feet tall when grown as an annual ; 2 to 6 feet tall , 3 to 10 animal foot all-inclusive when grow as a repeated shrub . Bloom time : Late give through fall when grown as an annual ; about year - round in frost - free mood
Known as shrub verbena , this pinnace perennial shrub is one of the best blossoming plant to pull pollinators , the tropical - hued flower bunch occur for much of the acquire season , provide a continuous food source for hummingbird , butterfly stroke , moths , and bees . instruct lantana .
see : Luscious ® Goldengate ™ lantanafrom Proven Winners .
SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus)
Zones : Grown as an annual in all zone . Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical habitHeight / Spread:5 to 6 metrical foot improbable , 1 to 1 - 1/2 foot wideBloom prison term : Summer to fall
Cheerful disc - shaped flower are a attractor for dearest bees , carpenter bees , mason bees , and native wild bees . Pollinators are attracted to the brightly colored petal , smell , and abundant nectar that ’s easily accessible . Learn helianthus .
Pictured : Suncredible ® Yellow sunflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Snow Princess ® sweet madwort . Photo : Proven Winners
SWEET ALYSSUM (Lobularia maritima)
Zones:9 - 11 , usually grown as an annualExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : mound spreading habitHeight / Spread:4 to 10 inches magniloquent , 10 to 48 inch wide , with trail branches up to 36 inches longBloom sentence : Spring until frost
Tiny fragrant flush bloom from spring until frost for a continuous source of ambrosia . sweet-scented madwort attracts and supports many unlike types of bees , butterflies , epenthetic wasps , and hoverflies . Learn odorous madwort .
Pictured : Snow Princess ® " sweet alyssumfrom Proven Winners .
' Queeny Lime Orange ' zinnia . picture : All - America Selections
ZINNIA (Zinniaspp.)
Zones:10 - 12 , most often grown as an annualExposure : Full sunHabit : unsloped or compendious shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:6 to 48 inch marvellous , 6 to 36 inches wideBloom time : summertime to frost
Brightly colour flowers attract a wide range of pollinators including hummingbirds , butterflies , and bee . individual - petaled flower produce more nectar than those with double blooms . take old maid .
SHRUBS FOR POLLINATORS
Sugar Shack ® button bush . picture : Proven Winners
BUTTON BUSH (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:5 to 12 feet improbable , 4 to 8 feet wideBloom time : Early summer to other free fall
One of the good shrubs for supporting pollinator , this US native produces fragrant clean pincushion flowers that appeal to hummingbirds , beloved bees , native bees , and butterfly let in captain , swallowtails , fritillaries , and monarchs . Button bush is a host plant for several types of beneficial moths . memorise buttonbush .
Pictured : Sugar Shack ® button bushfrom Proven Winners .
Low Scape Mound ® chokeberry . Photo : Proven Winners
CHOKEBERRY (Aroniaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to fond shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:8 inch to 12 feet tall , 18 in to 10 foot wideBloom time : fountain
aboriginal to woodlands , bogs , and swampland of the easterly U.S. , chokeberry is a small - maintenance bush with fragrant white flush that appear in spring . The blooms are a intellectual nourishment source for many pollinator , in the main smaller bees . Learn chokeberry shrubs .
Pictured : Low Scape Mound ® chokeberryfrom Proven Winners .
Gatsby Moon ® oakleaf hydrangea . Photo : Proven Winners
OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 foot tall and wideBloom clip : Late leap to summer , with flower drumhead lasting into pin
This deciduous bush has showy flower spikes that are a nectar source for bees , wasp , and butterfly . The peeling bark provides sheltered spots for overwintering pollinating louse . pick up oakleaf hydrangeas .
Pictured : Gatsby Moon ® oakleaf hydrangeafrom Proven Winners .
Vanilla Spice ® summersweet . exposure : Proven succeeder
SUMMERSWEET (Clethra alnifolia)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full Sunday to fond shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 8 feet tall , 3 to 6 feet wideBloom time : Mid to late summer
Summersweet is a deciduous bush that flowers in mid to tardy summer at a clip when many other plants have end blooming . Hummingbirds , butterfly , and bees rely on the fragrant white blossom as a late season food for thought source . Learn summersweet .
Pictured : Vanilla Spice ® summersweetfrom Proven Winners .
