Have you ever noticed a frenzy of bees flying around flowering plants on a warm summer day? The sweet pollen of these flowers is the favorite food source of pollinators, especially bees. A pollinator is anything that helps disperse pollen throughout gardens, promoting flowering and fruit production, and is, in many cases, are an essential part of the production cycle.
You can use visual cues when trying to identify pollinator-friendly plants. They typically have showy blossoms and sepals in bright colors like red, orange, or purple. If you want to attract pollinators to your garden put the plants they love on the menu. Adding these pollen-rich plants to your garden will attract a range of pollinators with an appetite for the for their favorite food source.
You might be surprised by some of the best plants and annuals for a Pollinator Garden. Here are some of my low-maintenance favorites that are easy to grow in the Maritime Pacific Northwest.
PERENNIALS
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
A mass of small, long-lasting flowers and fine texture foliage contrast nicely with the foliage of other plants. Carefree except for watering during the summertime.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Popular for its large daisy-like flowers and vivid colors. If you don’t want to bother with staking, stick with short, bushy cultivars like ‘Tomatoe Soup’. A favorite perennial of Monarch Butterflies.
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Plants can be short and compact or tall and upright. ‘Jacob Kline,’ one of the tallest, reaches 5’ or more. Site plants in an open, sunny location. Water in the morning and keep the foliage dry by watering at the base to avoid powdery mildew.
ANNUALS
Cosmos
Tall plants add height to seasonal plantings and an abundance of flowers are a beacon to pollinators. Fast growing and easy to propagate from seed.
Marigolds
An old-fashioned favorite with hybrids in many sizes and shapes. Masses of flowers cover plants until frost. Deadhead to encourage flower production.
Zinnias
HERBS
Large, vibrant flowers stand out and come in an array of happy colors. Fast- growing plants are easy to propagate from seed in early summer when the soil warms up.
Basil
Another reason to grow this popular culinary favorite. The flowers are also edible and look great in salads. Once its flowers become large, the foliage may taste bitter, so grow some extra to share with pollinators.
Dill
Many summer recipes call for this savory herb and its pretty yellow flowers draw pollinators. Caterpillars, especially swallowtails, may also enjoy the foliage.
Lavender
The quintessential bee magnate is easy to grow and doesn’t need much water to thrive. Its many attributes as a landscape plant and its refreshing scent make it easy to find a spot for this well-rounded plant.
I hope this helps you consider ways to add pollinator plants to your garden this spring.
Need more ideas? Contact me for a design consultation to learn about landscape design or how to maximize the impact of the plantings for any spot in your garden.
