Best Perennials for Pollinators

Pollinators are crucial to our ecosystem as they play a vital role in plant reproduction. Without them, we wouldn't have fruits, vegetables or flowers. Unfortunately, many pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are facing habitat loss and decline in numbers. As gardeners, we can help by planting perennials that provide nectar and pollen throughout the season. In this blog post, we'll explore the best perennials for pollinators.

Why Choose Perennials?

Perennials are a great choice for pollinator gardens because they come back year after year, providing a consistent source of food for pollinators. They also require less maintenance than annuals, saving you time and money in the long run.

1. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Description:

Coneflowers are a popular choice for pollinator gardens because they produce large, showy blooms from mid-summer through fall. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and white.

How to grow:

Coneflowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and don't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

2. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Description:

Bee balm is a native plant that produces fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is prone to powdery mildew, so make sure to plant in a location with good air circulation.

3. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)

Description:

Butterfly weed is a native plant that produces bright orange flowers in mid-summer. It's a favorite of monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

How to grow:

Butterfly weed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Don't be alarmed if you see aphids on the plant - they are a natural food source for ladybugs.

4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Description:

Black-eyed Susans are a classic choice for pollinator gardens. They produce daisy-like flowers with yellow petals and black centers from mid-summer through fall.

How to grow:

Black-eyed Susans prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and don't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

5. Salvia

Description:

Salvia is a large group of plants that produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and red. They attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Some varieties are drought-tolerant once established, while others require regular watering. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

6. Phlox

Description:

Phlox is a native plant that produces clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Phlox prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's prone to powdery mildew, so make sure to plant in a location with good air circulation.

7. Liatris

Description:

Liatris, also known as blazing star, produces spikes of purple or white flowers in mid-summer. They attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to grow:

Liatris prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

8. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium)

Description:

Joe-Pye weed is a native plant that produces large, dome-shaped clusters of pink or purple flowers in late summer. They attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to grow:

Joe-Pye weed prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It grows quite tall, so plant it at the back of the border.

9. Goldenrod (Solidago)

Description:

Goldenrod is a native plant that produces clusters of yellow flowers in late summer and fall. It's an important food source for many species of bees and butterflies.

How to grow:

Goldenrod prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water.

10. Catmint (Nepeta)

Description:

Catmint is a low-maintenance plant that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers from early summer through fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Catmint prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Cut back the spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

11. Yarrow (Achillea)

Description:

Yarrow is a native plant that produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and red. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to grow:

Yarrow prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

12. Milkweed (Asclepias)

Description:

Milkweed is a native plant that is essential for monarch butterfly survival. They lay their eggs on the leaves, and the caterpillars feed exclusively on the plant. It also attracts bees and other pollinators with its fragrant flowers.

How to grow:

Milkweed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. There are many varieties to choose from, including common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and butterfly weed.

13. Sedum

Description:

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a low-maintenance plant that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to grow:

Sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. It's also deer-resistant.

14. Agastache

Description:

Agastache, also known as hyssop or hummingbird mint, produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and orange. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Agastache prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

15. Verbena

Description:

Verbena produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

How to grow:

Verbena prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established and doesn't require much water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.


In planting perennials for pollinators is a great way to help support our ecosystem. By choosing plants that produce nectar and pollen throughout the season, we can provide a consistent source of food for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Remember to choose native plants whenever possible, and avoid using pesticides that can harm these important creatures.

FAQs

Q: What is a perennial plant?

A: A perennial plant is a plant that lives for more than two years. Unlike annuals, which complete their lifecycle in one growing season, perennials come back year after year.

Q: What is the difference between nectar and pollen?

A: Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by plants to attract pollinators. Pollen is a powdery substance produced by flowers that contains the male reproductive cells of the plant.

Q: How do I know if a plant is native to my area?

A: Check with your local garden center or university extension service for a list of native plants in your region. You can also search online for resources such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Native Plant Database.

Q: Can I grow perennials in containers?

A: Yes, many perennials can be grown in containers as long as they have enough space and drainage. Make sure to choose a container that is large enough for the plant to grow and use a high-quality potting mix.

Q: Do I need to fertilize my perennials?

A: Perennials generally don't require much fertilizer, especially if you have good soil. If you do decide to fertilize, use a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year according to the package instructions.