Every day, your garden’s tiniest visitors are hard at work. The lovely little butterflies you see floating by and those always-busy bees are transferring pollen from flower to flower so plants can reproduce to make fruits and seeds. And though you may not have ever thought about it, without our pollinators, there’s no food for any of us. These winged wonders are what keep your vegetable garden thriving! That's why you'll want to check out these plants that attract pollinators, including several spring flowers and more to bring life to your garden.
Unfortunately, in some places, pollinator populations have been affected by misuse of chemicals or habitat destruction. So what's the best thing you can do to help? Plant flowers to make your garden a welcoming place for different kinds of pollinators including bees, moths, wasps, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Make sure to plant in clumps or swaths, rather than one flower here or there, so your visitors will find the wealth. And if you don’t have a big backyard, you can plant them in containers and pots that will also add some variety to your landscaping ideas! Finally, if you’re planting perennial flowers, which come back for many seasons, make sure they’ll survive winters in your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.
Now that you know why you should add plants that attract pollinators, here are a few great varieties to add to your garden!
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1
Herbs
Almost any herb will attract butterflies and bees if you let the plant flower. You’ll be able to snip off leaves for cooking and garnishes, while the pollinators sip from the flowers. Plant herbs in beds or make a mixed container of annual varieties such as basil, dill, and parsley, or perennials such as chives, thyme, and sage (a special favorite of hummingbirds!). Most herbs will need full sun, or at least six hours of direct sunlight.
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2
Lantana
Lantana is a sturdy, drought-resistant annual with gorgeous jewel-toned flowers in saturated shades of red, orange, pink, white, or yellow. It’s a perennial in warmer regions of the country. Its brilliantly-colored flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. If you choose to plant lantana flowers, make sure they have full sun.
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3
Fuchsia
This stunning annual has exquisite blooms that drape nicely from hanging baskets or window boxes. Butterflies and hummingbirds love visiting its pretty flowers, which bloom all season long. Make sure to keep fuchsia watered, especially on hot days, and give it full to part shade.
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4
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing annual that looks lovely draped over rock walls, tumbling from window boxes, or planted in beds. Its tiny white, purple, or pinkish flowers have a slightly sweet scent and bloom all season long until it frosts. It’s a favorite of bees and butterflies. Alyssum needs full sun but will tolerate some shade.
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5
Sunflower
Sunflowers come in so many different sizes and shapes that you’re sure to find one to love! They grow well from seed, but you may have to protect them from rodents and birds who like to dig them up before the plant has a chance to take off. Butterflies and bees in particular love sunflowers. Sunflowers will need full sun, of course!
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6
Cuphea
If you only plant one type of pollinator-friendly flower, make it this stunning annual with brilliant red or orange tubular-shaped flowers. Hummingbirds adore it! Cuphea likes the heat and full sun, but make sure to keep it watered during the hottest days of the year.
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7
Calendula
Calendula is a cheery orange or yellow annual that’s easy to grow from seed. Not only will they attract buzzing bees to your garden, but you can also use the dried flowers to make tea! Calendula needs full sun.
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8
Canna Lily
If you’re looking for a dramatic flower to make a tropical statement in beds or containers, plant canna lilies! You’ll have to remember to dig up the rhizomes in the fall in cold climates. However, they’re worth it because these stunning upright flowers attract hummingbirds. Give canna lilies full sun.
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9
Catmint
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love visiting the purple spikes of this perennial. It’s sturdy, too, and tolerates drought, poor soils, and frigid winters. Catmint blooms for several weeks, but you can cut it back to encourage another round of flowers. Give it full sun.
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10
Dahlia
These gorgeous flowers grow from tubers that have to be dug up in the fall and stored indoors for the winter in cold climates. But the sheer variety of shapes, sizes, and colors make it totally worth. Bees and butterflies love this flower, which needs full sun.
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11
Scarlet Runner Bean
This heirloom variety bean is not only beautiful, but it’s also edible! Plant the seeds in full sun in mid-spring when all danger of frost has past, and give it a sturdy trellis or tower to climb. Hummingbirds flock to the vibrant orange-red blooms. Pick the beans when they're small to steam, or let them go to seed and dry them for winter soups (and next year's crop!).
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12
Portulaca
Also called moss rose, this low-growing annual succulent is heat and drought tolerant. It’s almost impossible to kill! Its brilliantly-colored blooms attract butterflies and bees. Portulaca needs full sun.
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13
Zinnia
Zinnia are tough annuals that come in a variety of heights and colors, such as white, red, and orange. They attract bees and butterflies and need full sun.
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14
Salvia
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love the purple, lavender, or pink spikes of this hardy perennial. Plant salvia in clumps at the back of beds and make sure it has full sun.
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15
Snapdragon
Snapdragons are cheerful annuals that can handle a little chill, so you can plant them in early spring. They’re available in upright and trailing varieties, and their beautiful blooms come in almost every color of the rainbow. Bees love snapdragons! Give these flowers full sun.
