Best Perennials For Pollinator Garden: 10 Native Plants
Discover the top 10 native perennials to attract and support pollinators year-round.
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10 Perennials for a Pollinator Garden: Attract Bees & Butterflies
Creating a vibrant pollinator garden is one of the most rewarding experiences for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. Not only do these gardens burst with color and life, but they also provide essential support for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By choosing the right native perennials, you can ensure a continual food source and habitat throughout the growing season. This guide highlights the top 10 perennial plants native to North America that are especially attractive to pollinators and will help you design a beautiful, wildlife-friendly garden.
Why Choose Native Perennials for Pollinators?
Native perennials are ideally suited for local pollinator populations. They have evolved alongside native bees, butterflies, and other insects, offering nectar and pollen sources that cater specifically to their needs. Additionally, native plants require less maintenance, are more drought-tolerant, and support a balanced ecosystem. By planting native perennials, you help sustain biodiversity and provide critical habitat for declining pollinator species.
Top 10 Perennials for Pollinator Gardens
Here are the standout native perennials for attracting and supporting pollinators in your garden. Each plant is described with key details about its growth, bloom time, and pollinator benefits.
1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
- Zone: 4â8
- Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Flower Color: Lavender to purple
- Pollinator Benefits: Honeybees love the super-sweet nectar from hyssopâs densely packed flowers. This plant is a favorite for beekeepers and a reliable pollinator magnet.
2. Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
- Zone: 3â10
- Height: 1 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time: August through October
- Flower Color: Purple, violet-blue, pink, white
- Pollinator Benefits: Asters are a crucial late-season food source for native bees and help sustain monarch butterflies during fall migration. Always choose native varieties for best results.
3. Bee Balm or Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
- Zone: 3â9
- Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Flower Color: Pink to lavender
- Pollinator Benefits: Bee balm is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers provide nectar throughout summer.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Zone: 3â7
- Height: 1 to 3 feet
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Flower Color: Yellow with dark brown centers
- Pollinator Benefits: Black-eyed Susans attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and are easy to grow.
5. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
- Zone: 3â9
- Height: 2 to 5 feet
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Flower Color: Purple, pink, white
- Pollinator Benefits: Coneflowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies, and their seed heads provide food for birds in winter.
6. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
- Zone: 3â9
- Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time: August to October
- Flower Color: Bright yellow
- Pollinator Benefits: Goldenrod supports a diversity of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and is a late-season nectar source.
7. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
- Zone: 4â9
- Height: 4 to 7 feet
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Flower Color: Pink to purple
- Pollinator Benefits: Joe-Pye weed is a favorite of butterflies and bees. Its large clusters of flowers are a late-summer attraction.
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8. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
- Zone: 3â9
- Height: 2 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Flower Color: Pink, orange, white
- Pollinator Benefits: Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, serving as the sole host plant for their caterpillars. It also attracts a variety of other pollinators.
9. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
- Zone: 3â8
- Height: 1 to 3 feet
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Flower Color: Red, pink, purple, blue, white
- Pollinator Benefits: Penstemons attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their tubular flowers are particularly suited to long-tongued pollinators.
10. Sedum / Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)
- Zone: 3â9
- Height: 6 to 24 inches
- Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
- Flower Color: Pink, red, yellow, white
- Pollinator Benefits: Sedum is a late-season favorite for bees and butterflies, providing nectar when other flowers have faded.
Designing Your Pollinator Garden
Creating a successful pollinator garden involves more than just planting the right flowers. Consider these design strategies for maximum impact:
- Plant in Clusters: Group the same types of plants together to make foraging easier for pollinators.
- Provide Continuous Bloom: Choose plants with varying bloom times so thereâs always something flowering from spring through fall.
- Include Native Plants: Native species are best for local pollinators and require less maintenance.
- Leave Some Bare Soil: Many native bees nest in bare ground, so leave small patches of undisturbed soil for nesting.
- Avoid Pesticides: Chemicals can harm pollinators, so avoid using them in your garden.
Pollinator Garden Plant Comparison Table
| Plant Name | Zone | Height | Bloom Time | Flower Color | Pollinator Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anise Hyssop | 4â8 | 2â4 ft | JunâSep | LavenderâPurple | Bees, butterflies |
| Aster | 3â10 | 1â4 ft | AugâOct | Purple, blue, pink, white | Bees, monarchs |
| Bee Balm | 3â9 | 2â4 ft | JulâAug | Pinkâlavender | Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| Black-Eyed Susan | 3â7 | 1â3 ft | JunâSep | Yellow, brown center | Bees, butterflies |
| Coneflower | 3â9 | 2â5 ft | JunâAug | Purple, pink, white | Bees, butterflies, birds |
| Goldenrod | 3â9 | 2â4 ft | AugâOct | Yellow | Bees, butterflies |
| Joe-Pye Weed | 4â9 | 4â7 ft | JulâSep | Pinkâpurple | Butterflies, bees |
| Milkweed | 3â9 | 2â4 ft | JunâAug | Pink, orange, white | Monarchs, bees, butterflies |
| Penstemon | 3â8 | 1â3 ft | MayâJul | Red, pink, purple, blue, white | Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
| Sedum | 3â9 | 6â24 in | Late summerâfall | Pink, red, yellow, white | Bees, butterflies |
Tips for Starting a Pollinator Patch
- Assess Your Site: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil for most pollinator plants. Some species tolerate partial shade.
- Prepare the Soil: Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter to improve fertility and drainage.
- Water Wisely: Water new plants regularly until established. Once mature, most native perennials are drought-tolerant.
- Mulch Lightly: Use a thin layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering bare soil completely.
- Monitor and Maintain: Remove invasive species, deadhead spent flowers to encourage rebloom, and leave seed heads for winter interest and wildlife food.
FAQs: Pollinator Gardens and Perennial Plants
Q: What is a pollinator garden?
A: A pollinator garden is a space designed to attract and support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects by providing nectar, pollen, and habitat through native plants and thoughtful design.
Q: Why are native plants important for pollinators?
A: Native plants are adapted to local conditions and have evolved alongside native pollinators, providing the best food sources and shelter for these species.
Q: How do I attract monarch butterflies to my garden?
A: Plant milkweed, the sole host plant for monarch caterpillars, and provide nectar-rich flowers for adult butterflies, especially for those migrating in fall.
Q: Can I use non-native plants in a pollinator garden?
A: While some non-native plants can attract pollinators, native species are generally more beneficial. Always avoid invasive species, and prioritize native or non-invasive options.
Q: What other steps can I take to support pollinators?
A: Leave some bare soil for nesting, avoid pesticides, and provide a water source such as a shallow birdbath with stones for landing.
Additional Resources for Pollinator Gardens
For more inspiration and region-specific plant lists, consult resources like The Xerces Society and Pollinator.org. These organizations offer planting guides, habitat assessment tools, and tips for gardeners at all levels.
Conclusion
Building a pollinator garden with native perennials is a rewarding way to support local wildlife, promote biodiversity, and enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape. By choosing plants like those listed above and following best gardening practices, you can create a haven for bees, butterflies, and other pollinatorsâensuring the health and beauty of your garden for years to come.
References
- https://www.gardendesign.com/perennials/pollinators.html
- https://www.pollinator.org/guides
- https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden
- https://indianawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/USDA-Pollinator-Gardens-Design-Guide.pdf
- https://www.americanmeadows.com/content/resources/meadowscaping/pollinator-garden-design
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