Perennials That Attract Pollinators Throughout the Seasons Gain Favor Among Gardeners
Creating a Pollinator Garden: A Guide to Attracting Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds
A vibrant pollinator garden can bring a splash of colour and life to any outdoor space, while also providing essential food sources for crucial pollinators. Here are some recommended perennial plants that will help you create a thriving pollinator haven.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
This easy-to-grow perennial produces spikes of lavender-blue or pink tubular flowers that are loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Catmint thrives in sunny, well-drained soil and blooms repeatedly through the growing season.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Native North American wildflowers with bell-shaped blooms rich in nectar, Coral Bells are a favourite among hummingbirds and butterflies. They are tolerant of USDA zones 4-9 and are suitable for containers.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Upright perennials with colourful blooms, Coneflowers are widely favoured by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They bloom upright and offer nectar throughout their season.
Salvia
Providing long-lasting, brilliant flowers in various shades, Salvia attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and is drought-tolerant and resilient.
Coreopsis
Pairing well with Salvia, Coreopsis has warm-coloured blooms and attracts pollinators with a long bloom period.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
A native wildflower supplying abundant nectar with tubular flowers, Bee Balm is irresistible to many pollinators, including hummingbirds.
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Essential for monarch butterflies as a host plant, Milkweed also provides nectar for other pollinators. It thrives in sunny conditions and complements Bee Balm in the garden.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
A type of Milkweed preferred by butterflies, especially monarchs, for larval food and nectar.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
With tubular red flowers preferred by hummingbirds, Cardinal Flower allows them to feed with their long tongues.
A Variety of Natives
Choosing a variety of natives that bloom sequentially throughout the growing season—from early spring through late fall—ensures continuous food sources for pollinators. Native plants have co-evolved with local pollinators, often requiring less maintenance and supporting native wildlife effectively.
Planning Your Pollinator Garden
When planning your pollinator garden, place these perennials in sunny, well-drained locations to maximize their growth and attractiveness to pollinators. Combining plants like Salvia and Coreopsis or Bee Balm and Milkweed can create effective, visually appealing plant communities that support diverse pollinator populations.
By incorporating these recommended perennials into your garden, you'll be providing a bounty of food for pollinators while enjoying the beauty of vibrant blooms. A pollinator garden is not only a feast for the eyes but also an essential contribution to the health of our ecosystem.
Additional Tips
- Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) are perennial flowers with bright daisy-like flowers that provide food for bees in late summer and autumn.
- Coral Bells varieties such as Heuchera 'Paris' are particularly loved by pollinators.
- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is native to North America and is central to the life cycle of the monarch butterfly.
- Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is a small perennial shrub with huge clusters of deep blue flowers that attract adult butterflies.
Supporting Pollinators
Pollinators rely on flower pollen, particularly from perennial flowers, as food. Planting pollinator-friendly plants can help support pollinator populations, while selecting native plants and practising integrated pest management can help reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide use in the garden.
Watering Stations
To provide additional support for pollinators, consider installing Bee Cups—gorgeous ceramic pollinator water stations designed to keep them safe while they drink.
Seeds and Colour
Survival Garden Seeds' Milkweed Seed Collection contains three varieties to nurture pollinators. Foxgloves from Sweet Yards' Foxglove Mixed Colors Collection are easy to grow and will keep your garden full of colour for years to come. Russell Lupine Seeds from Eden Brothers contain a beautiful rainbow of vibrant colours.
By creating a pollinator garden, you're not only contributing to the survival of our planet's pollinators but also enjoying the beauty and vibrancy they bring to your outdoor space. Happy gardening!
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