Creating a pollinator garden is a wonderful way to support and attract important pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By selecting the right flowers, you can provide these creatures with a rich source of nectar and pollen while also adding beauty to your garden. Here are some of the best flowers to consider for your pollinator garden:
1. Milkweed: Milkweed is a must-have for any pollinator garden, especially if you want to attract monarch butterflies. Monarchs rely on milkweed as their sole food source for their caterpillars, making it an essential plant for their survival.
2. Impatiens: Impatiens, also known as touch-me-nots, are vibrant and attractive flowers that are loved by bees and butterflies. They come in various colors and bloom abundantly, providing a great source of nectar.
3. Hummingbird Mint: As the name suggests, hummingbird mint is highly attractive to hummingbirds. These plants produce vibrant flowers that are rich in nectar, drawing in both hummingbirds and butterflies.
4. Purple Coneflower: Purple coneflower, also known as echinacea, is not only a beautiful addition to a garden but also a favorite of bees and butterflies. It has a long blooming season and produces plenty of nectar-rich flowers.
5. Fennel: Fennel not only adds a unique texture to your garden with its feathery foliage but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects like ladybugs.
6. Phlox: Phlox is a lovely perennial that comes in a range of colors and attracts bees and butterflies with its abundant nectar. It blooms for an extended period, providing a consistent food source for pollinators.
7. Bee Balm: Bee balm, also known as monarda, is a vibrant and fragrant flower that is highly attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It is known for its tubular-shaped flowers that are rich in nectar.
8. Verbena bonariensis: This tall and airy perennial is a favorite of butterflies, attracting them with its clusters of small purple flowers. It also serves as a landing platform for bees and provides a long-lasting source of nectar.
9. Aster: Asters bloom in late summer and fall, providing essential nectar for pollinators during this crucial time. They come in various colors and sizes and are especially loved by butterflies.
10. Borage: Borage is not only a beautiful addition to your garden with its vibrant blue flowers but also a magnet for bees. Bees are particularly drawn to borage due to its high nectar production.
These are just a few examples of the many flowers that can make your pollinator garden flourish. When selecting plants, aim for a diverse mix of colors, shapes, and bloom times to provide a continuous food source throughout the growing season. Additionally, native plants are often the best choice as they are adapted to local conditions and are well-suited to native pollinators.
