Garden Tips
Top 10 Plants for Pollinators: A Flower Power Farms Guide
Apr
At Flower Power Farms, we believe in gardening with purpose—and there’s no better purpose than supporting pollinators. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects play a vital role in our environment, helping plants reproduce and crops thrive. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden doesn’t just bring your yard to life—it contributes to a healthier planet.
Here are our top 10 favorite pollinator plants, carefully selected to include a mix of annuals, herbs, perennials, and shrubs that are both beautiful and beneficial.
🌼 1. Zinnia (Annual)
Why we love it: Zinnias are colorful, easy to grow, and bloom all season long. Butterflies flock to them in droves!
Pollinators attracted: Butterflies, bees
Plant tip: Deadhead regularly to encourage continual blooms.
🌿 2. Lavender (Perennial Herb)
Why we love it: Lavender is fragrant, drought-tolerant, and blooms attractively in early summer.
Pollinators attracted: Bees (especially bumblebees), butterflies
Plant tip: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Great in borders or containers.
🌸 3. Bee Balm (Monarda) (Perennial)
Why we love it: It’s practically named for pollinators! Its vibrant blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds.
Pollinators attracted: Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Plant tip: Space plants to promote good air circulation and prevent powdery mildew.
🌻 4. Sunflower (Annual)
Why we love it: A cheerful summer staple that supports bees and birds alike.
Pollinators attracted: Bees, butterflies
Plant tip: Choose single-headed varieties for best pollinator access.
🍃 5. Basil (Annual Herb)
Why we love it: Letting basil flower turns it into a pollinator magnet—and you’ll still get plenty of leaves.
Pollinators attracted: Bees
Plant tip: Plant near veggies to increase pollination and boost your harvest.
💜 6. Coneflower (Echinacea) (Perennial)
Why we love it: Coneflowers are tough, long-blooming, and native to much of North America.
Pollinators attracted: Bees, butterflies, and even songbirds (in fall for the seeds)
Plant tip: Leave seed heads standing into winter for bird food and winter interest.
💚 7. Milkweed (Asclepias) (Perennial)
Why we love it: It’s the only host plant for monarch butterflies. Enough said.
Pollinators attracted: Monarchs, bees
Plant tip: Choose native varieties like Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) for best results.
🌺 8. Salvia (Annual or Perennial)
Why we love it: These tubular blooms are hummingbird favorites and provide continuous summer color.
Pollinators attracted: Hummingbirds, bees
Plant tip: Try both annual salvia and hardy perennial varieties for extended bloom time.
🍯 9. Goldenrod (Solidago) (Perennial)
Why we love it: Often unfairly blamed for allergies (blame ragweed!), goldenrod is a late-season bee buffet.
Pollinators attracted: Bees, butterflies
Plant tip: Plant alongside asters for a stunning fall display and nectar-rich garden finale.
🌳 10. Bluebeard (Caryopteris) (Shrub)
Why we love it: This compact shrub bursts into electric-blue blooms in late summer, just when pollinators need a boost.
Pollinators attracted: Bees, butterflies
Plant tip: Cut back hard in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
🌱 Ready to Power Up Your Garden for Pollinators?
Stop by Flower Power Farms to explore our full lineup of pollinator-friendly plants, including native varieties, organic herbs, and vibrant blooms. Whether you’re planting a window box or creating a backyard oasis, we’re here to help you build a garden that buzzes with life.
🦋 Let’s grow something good together—one pollinator at a time!