Gardens buzzing with life bring joy to any nature lover. Butterflies fluttering, bees buzzing, and hummingbirds darting around create a symphony of movement and color. If you’re looking to invite these delightful creatures into your garden, consider planting nectar-rich flowers.
These blossoms not only enhance the beauty of your outdoor space but also support important pollinators. Below, you’ll find a list of 33 flowers known for their nectar-rich qualities. Each one is a beacon for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, turning your garden into a lively sanctuary.
1. Bee Balm
In a garden, variety is key to attracting pollinators. Bee Balm, with its bright, tubular blooms, is a favorite among butterflies and bees. These flowers, belonging to the mint family, offer a sweet nectar that lures pollinators in droves.
Not only are they beautiful, but they also emit a pleasant fragrance that fills the air. Bee Balm thrives in sunny spots and, when planted in groups, creates a stunning visual display. It’s an excellent choice for those aiming to attract a myriad of pollinators into their garden space.
2. Butterfly Bush
Gardening for wildlife can be rewarding and Butterfly Bush is perfect for this. Known scientifically as Buddleia, this plant is well-loved by butterflies for its rich, fragrant nectar.
The long, flowering spikes make it easy for butterflies to land and feast. This bush thrives in well-drained soil and requires minimal maintenance. Its flowers bloom from summer to fall, ensuring months of vibrant color and activity in the garden.
3. Lavender
Creating a peaceful garden atmosphere is simple with Lavender. This fragrant plant offers not only a calming aroma but also abundant nectar for bees and butterflies.
The purple flower spikes are a beacon for these pollinators, providing nourishment and adding color to the garden. Lavender prefers sunny, well-drained locations, making it an easy addition to many gardens.
4. Salvia
Enhancing your garden’s vibrancy is easy with Salvia. This plant, part of the sage family, offers rich nectar that entices hummingbirds and bees.
Salvia’s tall, spiky blooms are available in various colors, from reds to purples, adding a splash of color to any garden. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a versatile choice for different garden settings.
5. Coneflower
Adding diversity to your garden’s ecosystem is achievable with Coneflowers. These daisy-like blooms, known as Echinacea, are attractive to both butterflies and bees.
Their raised centers and vibrant petals make them easy to spot and access. Coneflowers flourish in sunny areas and are known for their hardiness and long blooming season. Not only do they add beauty, but they also provide essential nectar for pollinators, making them a gardener’s favorite.
6. Zinnia
Introducing bold colors into your garden is simple with Zinnias. These flowers come in a variety of hues, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with their abundant nectar.
Zinnias are easy to grow, thriving in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms make them a favorite for gardeners seeking to attract a wide range of pollinators. Known for their resilience, Zinnias continue to bloom profusely even under less-than-ideal conditions, ensuring your garden remains lively and inviting.
7. Fuchsia
Creating an inviting space for hummingbirds is effortless with Fuchsia. These pendant-like flowers offer a rich nectar, perfect for these agile birds.
Fuchsias prefer cooler, shadier spots, making them ideal for hanging baskets and shaded garden areas. Their unique shape and vibrant colors, ranging from deep reds to purples, ensure they’re a standout feature in any garden.
8. Snapdragon
Building a lively, colorful garden is achievable with Snapdragons. These flowers’ unique, dragon-like shape offers plenty of nectar for bees and butterflies.
Snapdragons thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soil, contributing to their popularity. Their wide range of colors provides endless options for garden design, and they bloom from spring through fall. This makes them a valuable addition for continuous color and pollinator activity.
9. Honeysuckle
Inviting a touch of whimsy to your garden is easy with Honeysuckle. This climbing vine offers sweet nectar, a favorite for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Honeysuckle’s tubular flowers are perfect for these pollinators, providing an easy nectar source. It thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it versatile for various garden styles. The fragrant blooms add an aromatic quality to the garden, enhancing the sensory experience.
10. Sunflower
Creating a sunlit garden atmosphere is possible with Sunflowers. These towering plants are not only a visual delight but also magnets for bees.
Sunflowers’ large, open faces provide ample landing space for pollinators, while their seeds offer food for birds. They thrive in sunny conditions and are known for their rapid growth. Sunflowers bring a cheerful vibe to gardens while supporting pollinator populations.
11. Penstemon
Designing a garden with variety is made easier with Penstemon. These tubular flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds.
Penstemon boasts a wide range of colors, from pinks to blues, and thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Its long blooming season ensures that pollinators have a consistent nectar source. Ideal for xeriscaping, Penstemon is drought-tolerant and adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
12. Verbena
Crafting a garden that invites pollinators is easy with Verbena. These small, clustered flowers are a favorite among butterflies and bees.
Verbena’s vibrant blooms add a splash of color to any garden setting, thriving in full sun. They are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, making them a practical choice for many gardeners. This plant’s extended blooming period ensures a steady supply of nectar throughout the growing season.
13. Lantana
Incorporating vibrant hues into your garden is achievable with Lantana. This shrub’s multicolored flower clusters are rich in nectar, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Lantana thrives in sunny locations and is drought-resistant, making it ideal for warm climates. Its continuous blooming from spring to fall ensures a long-lasting display of color and activity. Gardeners appreciate Lantana for its versatility and ability to draw in a wide array of pollinators, adding life and movement to outdoor spaces.
14. Milkweed
Nurturing a garden that supports wildlife is possible with Milkweed. This plant is crucial for monarch butterflies, offering both nectar and a place to lay eggs.
Milkweed’s clusters of flowers provide abundant nectar for many pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds. It thrives in sunny, well-drained areas and requires minimal care, making it an easy addition to any garden.
15. Cosmos
Transforming your garden into a pollinator paradise is simple with Cosmos. These delicate flowers are rich in nectar, attracting bees and butterflies.
Cosmos thrive in sunny areas and are incredibly easy to grow, making them perfect for novice gardeners. Their airy, daisy-like blooms add a whimsical touch to gardens, providing visual interest. With a long blooming season, Cosmos ensure consistent activity from pollinators.
16. Agastache
Creating a garden buzzing with activity is possible with Agastache. These aromatic plants are an excellent nectar source for bees and hummingbirds.
Agastache’s tall spikes and minty aroma make it a standout in any garden setting. Thriving in sunny, well-drained locations, they are both drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Their long blooming season provides a consistent nectar source for pollinators.
17. Catmint
Enriching your garden with fragrance and color is easy with Catmint. This perennial offers abundant nectar for bees and butterflies.
Catmint’s lavender-blue flowers attract pollinators while its aromatic foliage adds an extra layer of sensory appeal. It thrives in sunny, well-drained areas and is drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for many gardeners. Besides attracting pollinators, Catmint’s calming scent is also a favorite among cats, adding an extra element of enjoyment for feline-friendly gardens.
18. Black-eyed Susan
Transforming open spaces with vibrant color is possible with Black-eyed Susans. These cheerful flowers are a beacon for butterflies and bees.
They thrive in sunny, dry conditions, making them ideal for a variety of garden settings. Their daisy-like appearance and bold color brighten up any landscape, while their nectar-rich blooms support pollinator activity. Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and maintain, ensuring even novice gardeners can enjoy their beauty.
19. Sedum
Adding interest to rock gardens is easy with Sedum. These succulent plants offer clusters of nectar-rich flowers, favored by bees and butterflies.
Sedum thrives in sunny, dry locations and is incredibly drought-tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping. Its unique foliage adds texture, while its flowers provide a nectar source throughout the growing season. Sedum’s ability to flourish in poor soil conditions without much care makes it a practical choice for gardeners looking to support pollinators.
20. Columbine
Enhancing shaded garden areas with grace is possible with Columbine. These delicate flowers offer nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Columbine thrives in partial shade with well-drained soil, making it ideal for woodland gardens. Its unique, spurred flowers come in a variety of colors, adding elegance and whimsy to any garden. The presence of Columbine encourages pollinator visits, supporting their survival and adding life to shadier spots.
21. Coreopsis
Introducing vibrant blooms into your garden is easy with Coreopsis. These sun-loving flowers are a delight for bees and butterflies.
Coreopsis thrives in well-drained soil with full sun exposure, offering long-lasting blooms throughout the summer. Their bright, daisy-like appearance adds cheer to any garden setting, while their nectar-rich flowers support pollinator activity. Gardeners favor Coreopsis for its resilience and ability to attract a wide range of beneficial insects.
22. Foxglove
Enhancing vertical interest in your garden is easy with Foxglove. These tall, tubular flowers are a favorite among bees and hummingbirds.
Foxglove thrives in partial sun to shade with well-drained soil, adding dramatic height to garden beds. Its striking flowers come in various colors, offering both beauty and nectar to pollinators. Gardeners appreciate Foxglove for its ability to naturalize, ensuring continued presence year after year.
23. Hollyhock
Creating a charming garden backdrop is achievable with Hollyhocks. These towering plants offer abundant nectar for butterflies and bees.
Hollyhocks thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soil, providing vertical interest and color throughout the summer. Their classic, old-world charm makes them a favorite in cottage gardens, attracting both pollinators and nostalgic gardeners. Hollyhocks’ resilience to dry conditions and their ability to self-seed make them a valuable addition to any low-maintenance garden.
24. Cardinal Flower
Transforming moisture-rich areas into vibrant habitats is possible with Cardinal Flower. These striking red flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Cardinal Flower thrives in wet, sunny locations, such as along streams or pond edges, providing essential nectar for pollinators. Its bold color and unique shape make it a standout feature in any garden. Gardeners value Cardinal Flower for its ability to attract hummingbirds and its adaptability to wet conditions.
25. Russian Sage
Enhancing garden borders with texture and color is achievable with Russian Sage. This plant is a magnet for bees and butterflies.
Russian Sage thrives in sunny, well-drained areas, offering long spikes of lavender-blue flowers throughout the summer. Its aromatic foliage adds an extra dimension to garden aesthetics, while its drought-tolerance makes it a practical choice for low-water landscapes.
26. Red Hot Poker
Bringing a touch of drama to your garden is possible with Red Hot Poker. These striking flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
Red Hot Poker thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering vibrant spikes that add visual interest. Its nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators, creating an active garden environment. Gardeners appreciate its exotic appearance and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
27. Joe-Pye Weed
Enhancing wild garden areas is easy with Joe-Pye Weed. This tall, native plant is a favorite among butterflies.
Joe-Pye Weed thrives in moist, sunny locations, offering rich nectar and a splash of color from late summer to fall. Its towering height and attractive flowers make it a distinctive feature in naturalized gardens. Gardeners value it for its ecological role in supporting pollinators and its ability to blend into wild, informal landscapes.
28. Goldenrod
Creating a late-season pollinator haven is easy with Goldenrod. These bright, yellow flowers provide essential nectar for bees and butterflies.
Goldenrod thrives in sunny, well-drained areas and is known for its resilience and adaptability. Its blooms provide a critical food source for pollinators during late summer and fall. Gardeners appreciate Goldenrod for its ability to attract beneficial insects while maintaining a vibrant display.
29. Blanket Flower
Adding warmth and color to your garden is easy with Blanket Flowers. These vibrant blooms are a favorite for bees and butterflies.
Blanket Flowers thrive in sunny, well-drained locations, offering long-lasting blooms throughout the summer. Their daisy-like appearance and striking color combinations make them a centerpiece in any garden setting. Gardeners value Blanket Flowers for their hardiness and ability to attract pollinators. Their easy care and vibrant display ensure they remain a popular choice for creating lively, pollinator-friendly gardens.
30. Scarlet Sage
Infusing your garden with vibrant reds is possible with Scarlet Sage. These bright flowers are particularly enticing to hummingbirds.
Scarlet Sage thrives in sunny, well-drained areas, providing continuous blooms from summer to fall. Its nectar-rich flowers support pollinator activity, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Gardeners appreciate its ability to thrive in warm climates and its resilience to pests.
31. Obedient Plant
Enhancing garden design with unique floral structures is easy with Obedient Plant. These flowers offer abundant nectar for butterflies.
Obedient Plant thrives in sunny locations with moist soil, adding both beauty and structural interest to gardens. Its tubular blooms and ability to re-position individual flowers make it a fascinating plant to observe. Gardeners value its long blooming season and its role in supporting pollinator populations.
32. Borage
Enriching your garden with edible flowers is possible with Borage. These star-shaped blooms provide nectar for bees and butterflies.
Borage thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight, making it an easy choice for herb gardens. Its blue flowers are not only attractive but also edible, adding a unique twist to culinary creations. Gardeners appreciate Borage for its rapid growth and pollinator appeal, enhancing garden biodiversity.
33. Nicotiana
Adding evening fragrance to your garden is easy with Nicotiana. These night-blooming flowers offer rich nectar for moths and bees.
Nicotiana thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas, adding a sweet scent and luminous blooms to garden spaces. Its tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for pollinators, providing nourishment after dusk. Gardeners value Nicotiana for its night-time allure and its ability to attract nocturnal pollinators.