Transforming your lawn into a pollinator paradise is easier than you might think. By incorporating a selection of easy-to-grow plants, you can create a haven for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. Our master gardener shares insights into 29 specific plants that not only thrive in various conditions but also provide the necessary resources for pollinators.
This guide will take you through each plant, offering tips and details on how to cultivate them successfully in your own garden, making your lawn both beautiful and ecologically beneficial.
1. Lavender
Known for its soothing fragrance, lavender thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Plant it along pathways or as a border to enjoy its beauty and scent.
Its long blooming season provides nectar for bees and butterflies for months. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more flowers. Incorporating lavender into your lawn not only enhances its appeal but also supports pollinator populations, making it a top choice for eco-conscious gardeners.
2. Coneflower
Embracing the cheerful coneflower can transform your landscape into a vibrant pollinator habitat. These hardy perennials are renowned for their resilience and striking appearance. Coneflowers thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
Their daisy-like blooms provide abundant nectar and pollen, attracting bees and butterflies. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the summer. By planting coneflowers, you’re not only adding aesthetic value to your garden but also creating a supportive environment for essential pollinators.
3. Sunflower
Imagine your garden filled with towering sunflowers, their cheerful faces turned towards the sun. These iconic blooms are not only visually stunning but also a haven for pollinators. Sunflowers are easy to grow and require minimal care once established, thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Their abundant pollen and nectar attract a variety of bees, making them an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. Harvesting seeds at the end of the season provides food for birds and an opportunity for new plants next year. Sunflowers truly embody the spirit of a pollinator-friendly garden.
4. Black-eyed Susan
Picture a swath of bright yellow black-eyed Susans swaying gently in the breeze. These hardy flowers are perfect for creating a dynamic and pollinator-friendly lawn. Known for their resilience, black-eyed Susans thrive in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Their striking blooms are rich in nectar, attracting bees and butterflies throughout their long blooming season. By planting these cheerful flowers, you’re not only enhancing your garden’s aesthetic but also supporting vital pollinator populations. Regular deadheading ensures continuous blooms and a lively garden display.
5. Bee Balm
Consider adding bee balm to your garden for a splash of color and to attract pollinators. This easy-to-grow plant is beloved by bees and butterflies alike. Bee balm thrives in sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil and offers a spectacular display of blooms in summer.
Its tubular flowers make it easy for pollinators to access nectar, making it a favorite in pollinator gardens. Regular deadheading promotes prolonged blooming, while dividing clumps every few years ensures healthy growth. Incorporating bee balm into your lawn not only beautifies the space but also supports essential pollinators.
6. Zinnia
Envision a garden bed bursting with the vivid colors of zinnias, attracting pollinators from near and far. These annuals are not only easy to grow but also provide a significant source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for sunny borders or containers.
Their prolonged blooming season, from summer to fall, ensures continuous attraction for pollinators. Deadheading spent flowers promotes additional blooms, keeping your garden vibrant. By planting zinnias, you’ll create a lively and supportive environment for pollinators to thrive.
7. Borage
Imagine the delight of discovering borage in your garden, its sky-blue flowers serving as a magnet for pollinators. This annual herb is renowned for its ability to attract bees, thanks to its rich nectar and pollen.
Borage grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, often reseeding itself for continuous presence. Its edible flowers add a decorative touch to salads and drinks. Planting borage not only brings vibrant color to your garden but also supports essential pollinator activity, enhancing the ecological balance of your outdoor space.
8. Marigold
Your garden can be a vibrant haven with the addition of marigolds, known for their brilliant colors and pollinator-friendly nature. Marigolds are easy to grow, thriving in sunny locations and adaptable to various soil types.
Their bright blooms attract bees and butterflies, providing essential nectar and pollen. Marigolds also offer natural pest-repellent properties, adding to their appeal. By incorporating these cheerful flowers into your garden, you’re creating a visually appealing and supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing your garden’s ecological health.
9. Butterfly Bush
Enliven your garden with the butterfly bush, a magnet for pollinators. Known for its fragrant, colorful blooms, this shrub thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Butterfly bushes are easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning to encourage healthy growth.
Their abundant nectar-rich flowers attract a multitude of butterflies and bees, making them an essential addition to pollinator gardens. By planting butterfly bushes, you’re not only beautifying your lawn but also supporting the vital activities of pollinators. Enjoy the lively spectacle as butterflies dance around these enticing blooms.
10. Salvia
Consider salvia for a stunning and pollinator-friendly addition to your garden. These hardy perennials are known for their striking spiky blooms, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Salvia thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and requires minimal care once established.
Their long flowering season provides consistent nectar sources for pollinators, making them a valuable garden asset. Regular deadheading encourages prolonged blooming, keeping your garden lively and inviting. By incorporating salvia, you’ll create not only a visually appealing space but also a supportive environment for essential pollinator populations.
11. Milkweed
Picture your garden adorned with milkweed, a critical plant for supporting pollinators. Milkweed is particularly important for monarch butterflies, serving as both a food source and a breeding ground. This perennial thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil.
Its clusters of fragrant flowers attract a variety of pollinators, providing essential nectar. Planting milkweed not only beautifies your garden but also contributes to the survival of monarch butterflies, supporting biodiversity. By including milkweed in your lawn, you’re creating a vital habitat for pollinators and enhancing your garden’s ecological value.
12. Aster
Imagine the vibrant addition of asters to your garden, bringing late-season color and attracting pollinators. These hardy perennials bloom in the fall, providing essential nectar and pollen as other flowers fade. Asters thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Their daisy-like blooms draw bees and butterflies, supporting their activities well into autumn. By planting asters, you’re ensuring a continuous supply of nectar for pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. Enjoy the lively presence of pollinators as they visit these charming flowers, adding life to your outdoor space.
13. Catmint
Think of catmint as a delightful addition to any garden, offering beauty and support for pollinators. This hardy perennial is known for its aromatic foliage and abundant purple blooms. Catmint thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance.
Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it an essential component of pollinator-friendly gardens. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and prolonged blooming, keeping the garden lively. By planting catmint, you’re creating an inviting space for pollinators, enhancing the ecological health and beauty of your garden.
14. Coreopsis
Consider the cheerful addition of coreopsis to your garden, known for its vibrant yellow flowers and ability to attract pollinators. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal upkeep.
Their long blooming season provides a consistent source of nectar for bees and butterflies, boosting pollinator activity in your garden. By planting coreopsis, you’re not only enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor space but also supporting essential pollinator populations. Enjoy the bright and lively presence of pollinators as they visit these charming blooms.
15. Goldenrod
Imagine your garden adorned with goldenrod, a magnet for pollinators with its vibrant yellow blooms. Goldenrod thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, providing a burst of color in late summer and fall.
Its nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of bees and butterflies, supporting their activities as other flowers fade. By incorporating goldenrod into your garden, you’re creating a supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Enjoy the lively dance of pollinators around these striking blooms, adding life and movement to your outdoor space.
16. Cilantro
Think about adding cilantro to your garden, not only for culinary uses but also for its pollinator-friendly properties. Cilantro, when left to flower, produces small white blossoms that attract bees and other beneficial insects.
This herb thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil and can be planted in borders or containers. By allowing cilantro to flower, you’re providing a valuable nectar source for pollinators, supporting their activities in your garden. Enjoy the dual benefits of cilantro, enhancing both your culinary delights and the ecological health of your garden.
17. Snapdragon
Consider the enchanting snapdragon for a lively addition to your garden. These charming annuals are known for their vibrant, tube-shaped blooms, attracting bees and butterflies. Snapdragons thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil, offering a long blooming season.
Their unique flower shape makes them easy for pollinators to access nectar, supporting their vital activities. By planting snapdragons, you’re creating a vibrant and supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing your garden’s beauty and ecological value. Enjoy the colorful display and lively presence of pollinators as they visit these delightful flowers.
18. Calendula
Envision the cheerful addition of calendula to your garden, known for its bright orange flowers and pollinator-friendly nature. These easy-to-grow annuals thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care.
Their blooms attract bees and butterflies, providing essential nectar and pollen. Calendula also offers medicinal properties, making it a versatile garden plant. By planting calendula, you’re not only adding vibrant color to your garden but also supporting vital pollinator activities. Enjoy the lively presence of bees and butterflies as they visit these charming flowers.
19. Yarrow
Think of yarrow as a wonderful addition to any garden, offering beauty and support for pollinators. This hardy perennial is known for its clusters of small yellow flowers and aromatic foliage. Yarrow thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance.
Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees and butterflies, making it an essential component of pollinator-friendly gardens. Regular deadheading encourages prolonged blooming, keeping the garden lively. By planting yarrow, you’re creating an inviting space for pollinators, enhancing the ecological health and aesthetic appeal of your garden.
20. Lantana
Consider lantana for a vibrant addition to your garden, known for its colorful blooms and ability to attract pollinators. This hardy plant thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, offering a splash of color throughout the growing season.
Its clusters of small flowers produce abundant nectar, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By planting lantana, you’re not only enhancing your garden’s visual appeal but also supporting essential pollinator populations. Enjoy the lively dance of pollinators as they visit these cheerful blooms, adding movement and life to your outdoor space.
21. Sedum
Imagine the striking addition of sedum to your garden, bringing texture and color while supporting pollinators. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established.
Sedum’s clusters of small, star-shaped flowers provide a valuable nectar source for bees and butterflies. Their late-season blooms ensure a continuous supply of nectar as other flowers fade. By incorporating sedum into your garden, you’re creating a supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Enjoy the lively presence of pollinators as they visit these unique and beautiful flowers.
22. Verbena
Enliven your garden with the addition of verbena, known for its vibrant purple blooms and pollinator-friendly nature. This hardy annual thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, offering a long blooming season.
Its nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming, keeping your garden lively and inviting. By planting verbena, you’re not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space but also supporting essential pollinator activities. Enjoy the colorful display as pollinators visit these attractive flowers.
23. Cosmos
Picture your garden filled with the delicate beauty of cosmos, creating a haven for pollinators. These easy-to-grow annuals are known for their daisy-like blooms and come in a variety of colors. Cosmos thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, offering a long blooming season.
Their nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting their vital activities. By planting cosmos, you’re creating a vibrant and supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing your garden’s ecological health and beauty. Enjoy the lively presence of pollinators as they visit these charming blooms.
24. Hyssop
Think of hyssop as a beautiful and beneficial addition to your garden, known for its aromatic foliage and attractive blooms. This hardy perennial thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance.
Hyssop’s nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting their activities in pollinator-friendly gardens. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and prolonged blooming, keeping your garden lively. By planting hyssop, you’re creating an inviting space for pollinators, enhancing the ecological health and aesthetic appeal of your garden.
25. Rudbeckia
Consider the addition of rudbeckia to your garden, known for its bright yellow blooms and ability to attract pollinators. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal upkeep.
Their long blooming season provides a consistent source of nectar for bees and butterflies, enhancing pollinator activity in your garden. By planting rudbeckia, you’re not only adding vibrant color to your outdoor space but also supporting essential pollinator populations. Enjoy the lively presence of pollinators as they visit these cheerful flowers, enhancing your garden’s ecological health.
26. Gaillardia
Imagine the vibrant addition of gaillardia to your garden, bringing warmth and support for pollinators. These hardy perennials are known for their daisy-like blooms in fiery shades of red and yellow. Gaillardia thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established.
Their long blooming season provides ongoing nectar sources for bees and butterflies, supporting their activities throughout the summer. By incorporating gaillardia into your garden, you’re creating a supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing biodiversity and adding vibrant color to your outdoor space.
27. Echinacea
Consider the stunning addition of echinacea to your garden, known for its striking purple blooms and pollinator-friendly nature. These hardy perennials thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance.
Their daisy-like flowers provide a valuable nectar source for bees and butterflies, supporting their vital activities. By planting echinacea, you’re enhancing your garden’s aesthetic appeal and ecological health. Enjoy the lively presence of pollinators as they visit these beautiful flowers, adding life and movement to your outdoor space.
28. Foxglove
Envision the towering beauty of foxglove in your garden, attracting pollinators with its striking blooms. These biennials thrive in sunny to partially shaded areas with well-drained soil, offering a dramatic floral display.
Foxglove’s tubular flowers are rich in nectar, attracting bees and hummingbirds. By planting foxglove, you’re creating a supportive environment for pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Enjoy the elegant presence of these flowers as they sway in the breeze, providing essential resources for pollinator activities and adding vertical interest to your garden.
29. Cleome
Picture the unique and graceful addition of cleome to your garden, offering beauty and support for pollinators. These annuals are known for their tall, spiky blooms and thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Cleome’s nectar-rich flowers attract bees and butterflies, supporting their activities in pollinator-friendly gardens. Their long blooming season ensures a continuous supply of nectar, keeping your garden lively and inviting. By planting cleome, you’re enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space and supporting the vital activities of pollinators.