Plant a Pollinator Garden to Get Bees, Hummingbirds, and Butterflies Buzzing

In early summer to fall, butterflies often sun as they sip on these daisylike blooms. Perennial; full sun.

Slender cones of flowers in spring and summer. Evergreen or deciduous; sun to light shade.

Slender cones of flowers in spring and summer. Evergreen or deciduous; sun to light shade.

Airy umbrellas of yellow florets in summer also attract bees. Annual or perennial; full sun.

Tiny flowers in tight clusters all year in mild climates. Evergreen shrub (annual in colder climate); full sun.

Need convincing that this is a great in a pollinator garden? The plant is called bee balm, after all. Clusters of long-tubed flowers in summer also attract hummingbirds. Perennial; sun, or light shade in hottest climates.

Star-shaped flowers appear in summer. Annual; sun or partial shade.

This delicious addition to a pollinator garden draws bees and hummingbirds as long as you let the plants flower. Perennial herb; sun or partial shade.

Bright and bold, they’re beacons for honeybees. Be sure to choose pollen-bearing varieties. Annual; full sun.

Summer blossoms are great for bouquets, but leave a few on the plant for hummingbirds. Perennial; sun (afternoon shade in hot climates).

Tubular flowers with furry coats cluster along stems in summer and fall. Evergreen shrub; full sun.

Another pollinator garden favorite. With their fragrant blooms and totally unfussy nature, it’s no wonder lavenders have been grown for centuries. Flowers can be pale purple, violet, pink, or white and many varieties are intensely aromatic. In the garden, plant as an informal hedge, in mixed borders, as accents in containers, or in large masses for swaths of color. All varieties need well draining soil and low to moderate water.

Cape fuchsia is positively irresistible to hummingbirds. With flowers in shades of red and creamy green-white, these shrubs make a wonderful addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.

Growing 2-3 feet tall and 1 foot wide, this scabiosa produces rich, velvety blooms on exceptionally long stems. Thrives in full sun and when given moderate water. Zones 1-24, H1, H2.

Flowering stems resemble glowing torches—or pokers (hence the name), making them a homing device for the hummingbirds in your pollinator garden. Perennial; sun or part shade.

Plant this in a pollinator garden and the hummingbirds will definitely come. Among our favorites, pineapple sage (S. elegans) produces red blooms in early fall and S. ‘Indigo Spires’, deep blue in summer; both are perennials. Sun.

This easy ground cover is an affordable addition to your pollinator garden. Honey-scented blooms are, of course, a natural for bees. Annual; full sun or light shade.

Blanket flower (Gaillardia) features gorgeous golden tips and requires moderate water.

This annual is one of the most ubiquitous wildflowers in the U.S. and it has naturalized throughout most of the continent. It makes a wonderful garden plant too—especially when planted in masses or groups for dramatic effect. This native likes semi-damp to damp areas in full to partial sun.

Colorful and super tough, ‘Ruby Star’ coneflower from Monrovia nurseries has large pinkish-purple blooms with pronounced coppery centers. The plant grows 2-feet tall; the flowers are 4 inches across. Among the many showy hybrids are ‘Orange Meadowbrite’, butter-yellow ‘Sunrise’, and reddish-orange ‘Sundown’.

Blankets of yellow flowers top this easy-care perennial from spring to fall. The flat flower heads form a landing platform for bees and butterflies to collect pollen. ‘Moonshine’ reaches 2 feet tall and wide with flowers held above finely divided grey leaves. Low water once established.