The Best and Worst Flowers for Attracting Pollinators — Gardening, Herbs, Plants, and Product Reviews (2024)

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are real MVPs for our flowering plants. They go around spreading pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and fruits - which we obviously love!

Sadly, these awesome pollinators are facing some tough times with habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change causing their numbers to drop. We can help by picking the right flowers for our gardens to create a buzzing, pollinator-friendly space!

The items listed are accompanied by affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if a purchase is made through my links. This has no impact on the cost to the consumer. I link to products this way whenever possible, and it has no bearing on the products I choose to review or recommend.

Choosing the Right Colors and Shapes for Different Pollinators

Picking the right flowers is key for drawing in and helping out pollinators. Not every flower is a hit with them. Some make it tough for pollinators to get to the nectar or pollen, while others lack enough nutrients.

Flowers aren't just about food for pollinators; they also offer shelter, nesting spots, and breeding grounds. So, it's key to have a mix of flowers blooming at various times in the growing season. This way, there's always nectar and pollen available for pollinators, especially when resources are limited.

By choosing wisely, we can set up a vibrant, pollinator-friendly spot that nurtures these little helpers through every stage of life. It's a win-win - happy pollinators and stunning gardens that boost our ecosystem's well-being!

When selecting flowers, keep in mind the preferences of different pollinators.

Bees

Bees are drawn to flowers in purple, blue, orange, or yellow hues with easily accessible nectar and pollen. To attract bees, avoid using the color red as they struggle to see it clearly.

Butterflies

Butterflies, however, prefer pink, red, white, purple or yellow flowers with flat surfaces for sipping nectar.

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds seek out vibrant yellow, red, and purple blooms with tubular shapes, perfect for their long, slender beaks to reach the nectar.

The Best Flowers to Attract Pollinators

Some flowers stand out for their ability to attract pollinators and provide them with the necessary resources. Here are some examples of the best flowers to plant in your garden for pollinators:

Sunflowers

These bright, cheerful yellow flowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies due to their large size and abundant nectar. The wide, open faces of sunflowers provide an easy landing pad for pollinators. Pollinators are also enticed by their sweet fragrance.

Lavender

This native wildflower is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies as it is the sole food source for their caterpillars. It also provides nectar for other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Coneflowers

Hummingbirds are attracted to this flower's bright red or purple blooms and sweet nectar. The tubular shape of salvia flowers is perfectly suited for the long, narrow beaks of hummingbirds, allowing them to feed efficiently. Bees and butterflies also enjoy these flowers for their nectar.

Bee Balm

Offering a feast of colors and shapes, zinnias are pollinator magnets. Their diversity in color and form ensures that they appeal to a wide range of pollinators, and their long blooming season provides a consistent food source. Since you are looking to attract pollinators stick to the single petal variety so they can easily access the nectar and pollen.

Butterfly Bush

These ornamental onions produce globe-shaped flower clusters attractive to bees and other pollinators. The unique shape and structure of allium flowers add an architectural element to the garden while providing a valuable food source.

Catmint

Also known as Coreopsis, tickseed is a prolific bloomer that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with its bright yellow disk-shaped flowers. The nectar and pollen-rich blooms ensure that visitors leave well-fed.

Yarrow

This versatile herb produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers that are perfect for butterflies and bees to land on and feed. Yarrow is available in a variety of colors, making it a flexible choice for coordinating with other plants in a pollinator-friendly garden.

Panicle Hydrangea

While not as commonly recognized for its pollinator benefits, it provides shelter and nesting opportunities for bees and other insects. The large, cone-shaped flower clusters also offer a source of nectar during the blooming season.

The Worst Flowers for Attracting Pollinators

On the other hand, some flowers may not be as beneficial for pollinators. Here are a few examples of flowers that should be avoided for attracting pollinators:

1. Double-flowered varieties: These types of flowers have extra petals, making it difficult for pollinators to reach the nectar and pollen. This includes flower varieties like double petunias, double impatiens, and double begonias.

2. Invasive species: While some non-native plants may still provide nectar for pollinators, they can easily take over and crowd out native species, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. It is best to stick with native flowers that are adapted to the local environment.

3. Yellow Jessamine which is toxic to bees and other pollinators.

4. Swamp Titi is an invasive shrub that produces large amounts of nectar but is not beneficial to bees because it can cause purple brood which is a fatal condition for bee larvae.

Choosing the right flowers for your garden can make a significant impact on pollinator populations. By including a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season and avoiding harmful or invasive species, you can create a safe and nourishing environment for pollinators in your own backyard. So next time you're planning your garden, consider incorporating some of these pollinator-friendly flowers to help support these crucial creatures.

Have you found particular flowers that are a hit with pollinators in your area? Or perhaps some that are consistently ignored? Share your stories and join the conversation to help fellow gardeners create thriving, pollinator-friendly spaces.