Plants for Pollinators
by Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate
Consider adding plants to your landscape that will benefit pollinators. It is necessary to have a variety of plants blooming the whole growing season, April through October. Native plants are important to include because they have pollen and nectar sources for our native pollinators. Many of our favorite garden perennials are great for pollinators. It is fine to include them too, even if they are not native. Do not forget food plants for butterfly caterpillars. Herbs are perfect for pollinator gardens. And remember, no pesticides.
| Herbs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Borage | Borago officinalis | flowers for bees and butterflies, food for butterfly larva |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens | food for swallowtail butterfly larva |
| Garden thyme | Thymus vulgaris | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | flowers for bees, wasp and butterflies |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | food for swallowtail butterfly larva |
| ANNUAL and BIENNIAL FLOWERS |
||
| Blue salvia | Salvia farinacea | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Cosmos | Cosmos spp. | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Hollyhock, single | Alcea rosea | flowers for bumble bees |
| Mexican giant hyssop | Agastache Mexicana | flowers for bumble bees and butterflies |
| Rocket larkspur | Consolia ajacis | flowers for bumble bees and butterflies |
| Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima | food for monarch butterfly larva |
| Sunflower | Helianthus spp. | flowers for bees and butterflies, food for butterfly larva |
| Zinnia | Zinnia spp. | flowers for butterflies |
| NATIVE PERENNIALS | ||
| Common milkweed | Asclepias syriaca | food for monarch butterfly larva |
| Dotted gayfeather | Liatris punctate | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Hoary vervain | Verbena stricta | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Large Beardtongue | Penstemon grandifloras | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Pasque flower | Anemone patens | flowers for bees, early bloomer |
| Sunflower | Petroselinum crispum | food for swallowtail butterfly larva |
| Pitcher sage | Salvia azurea | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Prairie ragwort | Senecio plattensis | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Prairie aster | Aster turbinellus | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Purple coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Rough gayfeather | Liatris aspera | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Swamp milkweed | Asclepias incarnate | food for monarch butterfly larva |
| GARDEN PERENNIALS | ||
| Bee balm | Monarda didyma | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Blanket flower | Gaillardia aristata | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Blue False Indigo | Baptisia australis | flowers for bumble bees |
| Butterfly milkweed | Asclepias tuberosa | food for monarch butterfly larva |
| Coreopsis | Coreopsis spp. | flowers for bees and butterflies |
| Hosta | Hosta ssp. | flowers for bumble bees |
| New England Aster | Aster novae-angliae | flowers for bees, bumble bees and butterflies |
| Speedwell, blue & pink | Veronica spicata | flowers for bees, bumble bees |
| Tall Sedum | Sedum spectabile | flowers for bees and butterflies |
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