Creating a backyard that buzzes with life doesn’t take a green thumb or fancy tools. A few well-chosen plants can do wonders, especially for the bees and butterflies that make gardens thrive.
By adding pollinator-friendly flowers, you’ll enjoy more than just pops of color. These plants bring movement, sound, and a sense of connection to nature that’s hard to beat.
Garden pros know these picks pull double duty—looking beautiful while creating a safe haven for the pollinators we all rely on.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
The shaggy-headed blooms look almost like fireworks frozen in time. Hummingbirds can’t resist the tubular flowers that come in reds, purples, and pinks.
I planted a patch near my kitchen window and now enjoy watching the daily wildlife show while washing dishes. The leaves give off a minty-citrus scent when brushed against.
Beyond its beauty, bee balm has historical roots as a medicinal herb. Native Americans used it for treating colds and sore throats, which is why you might also hear it called Oswego tea.
2. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Hardy enough to withstand summer heat waves yet still looking fresh when other plants wilt. The distinctive raised center cone gives butterflies and bees the perfect landing pad.
My grandmother always had these in her garden, and now I understand why – they practically take care of themselves. Once established, they need minimal watering and return reliably year after year.
Beyond their beauty, coneflowers offer medicinal properties. Many people grow them for making immune-boosting teas, though I keep mine purely for the wildlife they attract.
3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Long, arching branches covered in cone-shaped flower clusters create a buffet for butterflies. The sweet nectar scent draws pollinators from surprising distances – I’ve watched butterflies make beelines across the yard when these start blooming.
Growing one near a window or patio provides front-row seats to nature’s show. Just remember to choose non-invasive varieties if you live in regions where butterfly bush can spread aggressively.
Despite its name, butterfly bush supports many pollinators beyond just butterflies. Bees, moths, and even hummingbirds will visit these fragrant blooms throughout the season.
4. Lavender (Lavandula)
Few plants work harder in the garden than lavender. The silver-gray foliage looks good year-round, while the purple flower spikes add both color and heavenly fragrance.
Honeybees absolutely mob my lavender patch when it blooms. Last summer, I counted five different bee species visiting at once! The plants thrive in poor soil and actually produce more fragrant oils when not overwatered.
Try planting lavender along walkways where brushing against it releases its calming scent. Harvest the stems just as flowers open for the strongest fragrance in dried arrangements or sachets.
5. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Golden petals surrounding dark centers create a classic daisy shape that’s irresistible to native bees. These sunny flowers bloom for weeks, often starting in midsummer when many spring flowers have faded.
After three years in my garden, my original three plants multiplied into a cheerful colony. They handle clay soil better than most perennials I’ve tried, which was a pleasant surprise for my difficult backyard conditions.
Native to North America, black-eyed Susans evolved alongside our local pollinators. This natural relationship means they provide exactly what local bees and butterflies need without requiring much from the gardener.
6. Milkweed (Asclepias)
Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed – it’s the only plant their caterpillars can eat. The clusters of star-shaped flowers offer nectar to adult butterflies and many other pollinators too.
My patch started with just three plants, and now I find monarch caterpillars throughout my garden each summer. The seed pods that form after flowering create their own kind of garden magic, bursting open to release silky parachutes that float on the breeze.
Consider native milkweed varieties for your region rather than tropical milkweed. They’re better adapted to local conditions and provide the right timing for monarch migration patterns.
7. Salvia (Sage)
Spikes of tubular flowers in blues, purples, and reds act like magnets for hummingbirds. The long bloom time makes salvia a backbone plant in pollinator gardens from spring through fall.
My Russian sage survived last summer’s drought without extra watering, even while neighboring plants struggled. Many salvia varieties offer aromatic foliage that deer and rabbits tend to avoid – a bonus for gardens with four-legged visitors.
Try mixing different salvia varieties for a waves of color. Culinary sage, ornamental salvias, and native species all offer different heights, bloom times, and colors while sharing their pollinator-friendly nature.
8. Sunflower (Helianthus)
Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers tracking the sun across the sky. The massive flower heads become feeding stations for bees and later offer seeds for birds and other wildlife.
Last year I planted a sunflower house for my niece by arranging seeds in a square with an opening for a door. By August, we had an 8-foot-tall living playhouse buzzing with happy bees.
Beyond the familiar tall varieties, branching sunflowers produce multiple smaller blooms per plant. These keep flowering for weeks and make excellent cut flowers that won’t topple your vase like their larger cousins.
9. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium)
Despite its unfortunate name, this native plant deserves a spot in more gardens. The mauve flower clusters can reach dinner-plate size, creating butterfly magnets atop stems that reach 4-7 feet tall.
My specimen anchors the back corner of my garden, providing height without staking or fussing. The butterflies it attracts create movement and life throughout the late summer garden when many other plants have finished blooming.
Joe-Pye weed earned its name from a Native American healer who used it medicinally. Today, compact varieties make this pollinator favorite accessible even for smaller gardens where the full-sized version might overwhelm.
10. Zinnia
Annual flowers don’t get easier or more pollinator-friendly than zinnias. The daisy-like blooms come in practically every color except blue, and they keep flowering from early summer until frost.
A $3 packet of seeds produced enough flowers for both my garden and weekly bouquets last summer. Butterflies particularly favor the single-flowered varieties that give them easy access to nectar, though bees visit all types.
For maximum pollinator appeal, allow some flowers to remain unpicked until they go to seed. Goldfinches and other small birds will perch on the dried seed heads for an autumn feast that extends your garden’s wildlife value.
11. Aster
Fall gardens need asters for their daisy-like flowers in purples, pinks and whites. When most plants have finished for the season, asters provide crucial late-season nectar for migrating butterflies and bees preparing for winter.
My New England asters have become gathering spots for monarch butterflies fueling up before their long journey south. The starry flowers create such a beautiful carpet of color that I’ve gradually expanded my collection each year.
Native aster varieties support specialist bees that have evolved alongside these plants for thousands of years. By including them in your garden, you’re helping maintain these ancient relationships that keep our ecosystems functioning.
12. Catmint (Nepeta)
Soft gray-green foliage topped with spikes of lavender-blue flowers creates a cloud-like effect that softens garden edges. Bees work these flowers with such enthusiasm that my patch literally hums on sunny afternoons.
Unlike its cousin catnip, catmint keeps a tidier habit that won’t take over the garden. After the first major bloom, I give mine a quick haircut – just removing the spent flower stems – and it rewards me with a second flush of flowers and bees.
Consider planting catmint along pathways where its subtle minty fragrance will release when brushed against. The scent repels mosquitoes while attracting beneficial insects – a perfect combination for outdoor living spaces.
13. Blazing Star (Liatris)
Tall purple spikes that bloom from top to bottom create vertical interest in the garden. Unlike most flowers that open from the bottom up, blazing star’s unusual blooming pattern gives it a long-lasting presence.
My patch started with just five bulb-like corms, but has gradually spread into a stunning summer display. Butterflies particularly favor these flowers, and I’ve spotted everything from tiny skippers to massive swallowtails feeding on the nectar.
Native to American prairies, blazing star evolved to handle both drought and cold winters. This toughness makes it perfect for low-maintenance gardens where you want reliable color without constant attention.
14. Anise Hyssop (Agastache)
Licorice-scented leaves topped with spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers create a pollinator paradise. The flowers bloom for months, providing a steady nectar source when many other plants have finished.
Honeybees seem particularly drawn to my anise hyssop patch. On summer mornings, I count dozens working the flowers with single-minded focus. The plants self-seed gently, creating new volunteers that can be easily moved or shared with friends.
Beyond its garden value, anise hyssop makes wonderful tea. I harvest stems just as they begin flowering and hang them to dry. The resulting brew has a natural sweetness with notes of licorice and mint – no sugar needed.
15. Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Bell-shaped flowers arranged along upright stems create a display that hummingbirds can’t resist. The tubular blooms come in shades from white to pink to deep purple, depending on the variety.
My garden includes both hybrid and native penstemons. While the hybrids have larger, showier flowers, I’ve noticed native bees prefer the wild species. Having both keeps everyone happy while creating different textures in the garden.
As western American natives, many penstemon varieties have evolved to thrive in poor, rocky soil. This makes them perfect for those challenging spots where other perennials struggle, like along driveways or in gravel gardens.
16. Goldenrod (Solidago)
Feathery plumes of tiny yellow flowers create a golden haze in the late summer garden. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause hay fever – that’s actually ragweed blooming at the same time.
My garden includes three different goldenrod varieties that support an amazing diversity of pollinators. Tiny wasps, native bees, butterflies, and even beetles gather on these flowers, creating a buzzing ecosystem in miniature.
Garden-friendly varieties stay compact rather than spreading aggressively like their wild cousins. ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Little Lemon’ offer the wildlife benefits without taking over, making them perfect for smaller spaces where every plant must earn its keep.
17. Yarrow (Achillea)
Flat-topped flower clusters provide perfect landing pads for butterflies and beneficial insects. The ferny foliage adds texture even when the plants aren’t blooming, and modern varieties come in colors from traditional white to yellow, pink, and rusty red.
My yarrow patch has become a hunting ground for predatory insects like tiny wasps and ladybugs. These beneficial bugs control garden pests while refueling on yarrow nectar – nature’s own pest management system at work.
Ancient healers valued yarrow for wound treatment (its genus name Achillea references the warrior Achilles). Today, it’s equally valuable for healing garden challenges like poor soil and drought conditions.
18. Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
Velvety orange-red flowers atop tall stems create a dramatic backdrop for any pollinator garden. Butterflies find these blooms irresistible – I’ve counted five different species feeding at once on a single plant!
Growing up to 6 feet tall in a single season from seed, Mexican sunflowers create instant impact. Their height makes them perfect for the back of borders or for creating temporary privacy screens that double as pollinator habitat.
Unlike many annuals, they handle heat and humidity with grace. Last August, when everything else in my garden looked heat-stressed, these kept blooming without complaint, providing nectar during the toughest part of summer.
19. Flowering Herbs (Oregano, Thyme, Mint)
Allowing herbs to flower transforms your kitchen garden into pollinator central. The tiny blooms may seem insignificant to us, but they provide accessible nectar sources for smaller beneficial insects.
My oregano patch becomes a hive of activity when I let some plants flower instead of harvesting all the leaves. The tiny purple blooms attract small native bees that might otherwise be overlooked in a garden focused only on showier flowers.
Consider dedicating part of your herb garden specifically for pollinator support. Harvest from some plants while allowing others to complete their flowering cycle – you’ll still have plenty for cooking while supporting local biodiversity.
20. Cosmos
Daisy-like flowers dancing on slender stems create a cottage garden feel while attracting scores of pollinators. The open-centered blooms give bees and butterflies easy access to pollen and nectar.
From a single packet of seeds scattered in a bare spot last spring, I enjoyed flowers from July until the first hard frost. The ferny foliage provides a beautiful backdrop even before the blooms appear, giving cosmos double value in the garden.
Let some flowers go to seed at season’s end, and you’ll likely find volunteer seedlings next year. These easy-going annuals often return without becoming weedy, striking that perfect balance between reliability and restraint.