The Best and Worst Flowers for Attracting Pollinators
Pollinator Friendly Flowers
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are real MVPs for our flowering plants. They go around spreading pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and fruits - which we obviously love!
Sadly, these awesome pollinators are facing some tough times with habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change causing their numbers to drop. We can help by picking the right flowers for our gardens to create a buzzing, pollinator-friendly space!
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Choosing the Right Colors and Shapes for Different Pollinators
Picking the right flowers is key for drawing in and helping out pollinators. Not every flower is a hit with them. Some make it tough for pollinators to get to the nectar or pollen, while others lack enough nutrients.
Flowers aren't just about food for pollinators; they also offer shelter, nesting spots, and breeding grounds. So, it's key to have a mix of flowers blooming at various times in the growing season. This way, there's always nectar and pollen available for pollinators, especially when resources are limited.
By choosing wisely, we can set up a vibrant, pollinator-friendly spot that nurtures these little helpers through every stage of life. It's a win-win - happy pollinators and stunning gardens that boost our ecosystem's well-being!
When selecting flowers, keep in mind the preferences of different pollinators.
Bees
Bees are drawn to flowers in purple, blue, orange, or yellow hues with easily accessible nectar and pollen. To attract bees, avoid using the color red as they struggle to see it clearly.
Butterflies
Butterflies, however, prefer pink, red, white, purple or yellow flowers with flat surfaces for sipping nectar.
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds seek out vibrant yellow, red, and purple blooms with tubular shapes, perfect for their long, slender beaks to reach the nectar.
The Best Flowers to Attract Pollinators
Some flowers stand out for their ability to attract pollinators and provide them with the necessary resources. Here are some examples of the best flowers to plant in your garden for pollinators:
Sunflowers
These bright, cheerful yellow flowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies due to their large size and abundant nectar. The wide, open faces of sunflowers provide an easy landing pad for pollinators. Pollinators are also enticed by their sweet fragrance.
Lavender
Bees and butterflies love this fragrant herb. Lavender produces beautiful purple flowers on its tall spikes, making it easy for pollinators to access them. Lavender produces ample amounts of nectar throughout the summer months.
Milkweed
This native wildflower is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies as it is the sole food source for their caterpillars. It also provides nectar for other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
Coneflowers
These long-lasting, daisy-like flowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies for their abundant nectar and pollen. The cone-shaped center of the flower is an easy-to-reach source of food, and the wide petals offer a perfect landing spot.
Salvia
Hummingbirds are attracted to this flower's bright red or purple blooms and sweet nectar. The tubular shape of salvia flowers is perfectly suited for the long, narrow beaks of hummingbirds, allowing them to feed efficiently. Bees and butterflies also enjoy these flowers for their nectar.
Bee Balm
True to its name, bee balm is irresistible to bees with its tubular petals and rich nectar. The vibrant colors and strong fragrances also attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
Zinnias
Offering a feast of colors and shapes, zinnias are pollinator magnets. Their diversity in color and form ensures that they appeal to a wide range of pollinators, and their long blooming season provides a consistent food source. Since you are looking to attract pollinators stick to the single petal variety so they can easily access the nectar and pollen.
Butterfly Bush
As the name suggests, this plant blooms profusely and beckons butterflies with its vivid flowers ranging in color from purple, pink, red, white, and yellow. The large clusters of blooms are rich in nectar, making them an ideal spot for butterflies to feed.
Allium
These ornamental onions produce globe-shaped flower clusters attractive to bees and other pollinators. The unique shape and structure of allium flowers add an architectural element to the garden while providing a valuable food source.
Catmint
This hardy perennial is beloved by bees for its continuous supply of nectar-rich flowers. The lavender-blue blooms and minty fragrance make catmint a visually appealing and aromatic addition to any pollinator garden.
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Tickseed
Also known as Coreopsis, tickseed is a prolific bloomer that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with its bright yellow disk-shaped flowers. The nectar and pollen-rich blooms ensure that visitors leave well-fed.
Yarrow
This versatile herb produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers that are perfect for butterflies and bees to land on and feed. Yarrow is available in a variety of colors, making it a flexible choice for coordinating with other plants in a pollinator-friendly garden.
Panicle Hydrangea
While not as commonly recognized for its pollinator benefits, it provides shelter and nesting opportunities for bees and other insects. The large, cone-shaped flower clusters also offer a source of nectar during the blooming season.
The Worst Flowers for Attracting Pollinators
On the other hand, some flowers may not be as beneficial for pollinators. Here are a few examples of flowers that should be avoided for attracting pollinators:
Double-flowered varieties: These types of flowers have extra petals, making it difficult for pollinators to reach the nectar and pollen. This includes flower varieties like double petunias, double impatiens, and double begonias.
Invasive species: While some non-native plants may still provide nectar for pollinators, they can easily take over and crowd out native species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. It is best to stick with native flowers that are adapted to the local environment.
Yellow Jessamine which is toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Swamp Titi is an invasive shrub that produces large amounts of nectar but is not beneficial to bees because it can cause purple brood which is a fatal condition for bee larvae.
Choosing the right flowers for your garden can make a significant impact on pollinator populations. By including a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season and avoiding harmful or invasive species, you can create a safe and nourishing environment for pollinators in your own backyard. So next time you're planning your garden, consider incorporating some of these pollinator-friendly flowers to help support these crucial creatures.
Have you found particular flowers that are a hit with pollinators in your area? Or perhaps some that are consistently ignored? Share your stories and join the conversation to help fellow gardeners create thriving, pollinator-friendly spaces.
