A pollinator garden creates a sort of win-win-win situation for all parties involved. Plants need to be pollinated in order to reproduce. In order for them to be pollinated, they need pollinators to visit them! Beneficial bugs like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and even others such as moths come and go about their business transporting pollen from one plant to another.
Creating a garden that caters to your favorite pollinators is a rewarding endeavor. By selecting the right plants, you can attract and support the specific winged wonders that bring joy to your outdoor space.
The pollinator populations themselves are able to thrive; the plants thrive, which in turn means the planet thrives. We humans get to enjoy the beauty that is just a natural product of the whole process. Some flowers and other plants are particularly attractive to pollinators. Check out this comprehensive breakdown of our top picks to plant in your garden that will attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more!
Top Pollinator Plants for Bees
Bee Balm: As the name would suggest, this showy summer bloomer will bring all the bees to the yard! A perennial favorite in North America, its peculiar spiky blooms come in red, pink, purple, or white. Also often referred to as Monarda, this native plant is well known for its strong, orange-bergamot fragrance.
Snapdragons: These already fragrant beauties release four times the amount of fragrance on those sunny afternoons when you’re guaranteed to see bees out and about to look for a meal.
Coneflowers: With their cheerful petals and raised central cones, make a playground for bees. Rich in nectar and pollen, these perennials are not only visually-appealing but also a crucial food source for bees.
Sunflowers: With their bright yellow blooms, Sunflowers act as beacons for bees. Their large, open faces make it easy for bees to access the pollen and nectar, providing a substantial food source for these industrious pollinators.
Hyssop: Hyssop, with its aromatic foliage and spiky blooms, is a heavenly choice for bee-friendly gardens. Bees are drawn to its sweet-scented flowers, making it a delightful addition to your pollinator plant collection.
Chives: Not only are chives a welcome addition in most kitchens; their globe-like, pink, edible flowers attract bees of all kinds! While they attract pollinators, they actually repel aphids, so they make for a great companion plant.
Plants to Attract Butterflies
Imagine a garden alive with the gentle flutter of butterfly wings. By strategically choosing plants that cater to their needs, you can create an inviting space that not only sustains butterflies but also offers you the joy of observing their elegant flights.
Butterfly Bush: As the name suggests, the Butterfly Bush is a true magnet for butterflies. Its long, cone-shaped blooms, available in various colors, provide a rich source of nectar, attracting butterflies like a charm. Plant this bush to create a focal point for butterfly activity.
Lantana: Lantana’s vibrant, multi-colored blooms are a feast for butterflies. This perennial plant offers continuous flowers throughout the season, providing nectar for butterflies and enhancing the visual appeal of your garden.
Coneflowers: Coneflowers are not only a visual delight, but also a favorite among butterflies! Their daisy-like blooms and accessible nectar make them a valuable addition to butterfly gardens. Choose a variety of Coneflowers to attract different butterfly species.
Salvia: Salvia’s tubular flowers are like a straw for butterflies, providing easy access to nectar. These plants are not only attractive to butterflies but also contribute to the overall health of your garden by attracting pollinators.
Milkweed: A staple to the Monarch butterfly’s diet, milkweed is definitely one of the top pollinator plants we would recommend adding to your garden this year.
Asters: A beautiful woodland meadow plant, Asters blossom in vivid magenta and indigo hues. These easy to grow perennials will pretty much take care of themselves throughout the summer and then offer a big, beautiful burst of color near the end of the season.
Yarrow: The dense, flat top of yarrow blooms gives butterflies the perfect place to land. It is a deer-resistant plant that, like its counterparts above, prefers full sun.
Lavender: Half flower, half herb, lavender has it all. The cylindrical flowers, which have quite an extended bloom time, are much-loved by butterflies of all kinds. When the season ends, you can harvest them for recipes or home decor.
Top Plants to Attract Hummingbirds
Picture your garden alive with the vibrant energy of hummingbirds. By strategically choosing plants that cater to their needs, you can create an inviting space that not only sustains hummingbirds but also offers you the pleasure of witnessing their graceful presence.
Trumpet Vine: The trumpet-shaped flowers of the Trumpet Vine are tailor-made for hummingbirds. These fast-growing vines provide abundant nectar, making them a favorite destination for these tiny avian visitors. Plant them to create a stunning focal point in your hummingbird-friendly garden.
Salvia: Salvia varieties are not only a visual delight but also a favorite among hummingbirds. Their tubular flowers are adapted for the long bills of these birds, providing an accessible source of nectar. Choose different Salvia species to extend the blooming season in your garden.
Callistemon: The bottlebrush-shaped flowers of Callistemon plants are a hummingbird magnet, especially the varieties with vibrant red blooms. These evergreen shrubs not only attract hummingbirds but also add a burst of color to your garden year-round.
Fuchsia plants: Renowned for their pendulous, tubular flowers, these plants are perfectly suited for hummingbirds. The elegant blooms, often in shades of pink and purple, provide a delightful visual display while serving as a nectar source for your feathered guests.
Columbine plants: Columbine plants feature intricate, spurred blooms that hummingbirds find irresistible. Their unique shape allows hummingbirds easy access to nectar, making them a charming addition to your garden!
Lobelia cardinalis: This native plant, also known as the Cardinal Flower, is found throughout North America. The delicate shape of its red florets makes it attractive to gardeners and hummingbirds alike.
Delphinium: The brightly-colored and bottle-like shape of a Delphinium makes it a favorite among hummingbirds. Available in colors like white, pink, and several shades of blue, this top pollinator plant will bless your garden with beautiful blooms around mid-summer.
Morning Glory: Both the fragrant and trumpet-like shape of Morning Glory blooms attract hummingbirds. They also tend to flower in mid-summer, opening in the morning and then closing again later in the day.
Daylilies: Hummingbirds primarily rely on noticing bright colors in their search for food. Daylilies are an easy target for them as their tubular blooms come in a wide variety of bright, cheery colors.
Top Plants for a Variety of Pollinators
A garden teeming with pollinators is a thriving ecosystem. By selecting plants that cater to a variety of pollinators, you can create a vibrant space that not only sustains these essential creatures but also enhances the beauty of your outdoor haven.
Coneflower: Coneflowers are a universal favorite, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds alike. Their daisy-like blooms and accessible nectar make them a valuable addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.
Lavender: Lavender’s aromatic blooms are a lure for bees and butterflies. The fragrant nectar-rich flowers provide sustenance for pollinators while adding a touch of elegance to your garden.
Daisies: Daisies, in their various forms, are a pollinator’s playground. Bees, butterflies, and even beneficial insects are drawn to their simple yet abundant blooms, making them a versatile choice for any pollinator garden.
Liatris: Also known as Blazing Star, this native beauty will attract all sorts of pollinators. It is well known for its fluffy clusters of purple flowers.
By selecting the best plants for your favorite pollinators, you’re not only enhancing your garden’s beauty but also fostering a deeper connection with nature.
These are just a few of our top choices for pollinator gardens, but there are so many more to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for annuals or perennials for your pollinator garden in North Dakota, be sure to stop by the garden center. In addition to flowers and plants galore, we have other pollinator-friendly items available like birdbaths and more!