“ By following a few guidelines , we can be sure we are making a significant difference in our quest to save the pollinators .”
Since different pollinators are attracted to different types of plants , you ’ ll want to include a variety of flowers that specifically attract bees , hummingbirds , and butterflies . Plants that attract bees include basil , bee balm , borage , cosmos , geraniums , giant hyssops , lavender , lupines , mint , poppies , rosemary , sage , sunflowers , thyme , wild roses , zinnias , apples , cherries , pears , plums , raspberries , strawberries , and willows . Hummingbirds prefer bee balm , begonias , bleeding hearts , butterfly weed , cannas , columbines , dahlias , delphinium , foxglove , fuschias , geraniums , hollyhocks , impatiens , irises , lilies , lupines , nasturtiums , petunias , sage , salvia , and zinnias . Butterflies love bee balm , calendula , cosmos , delphiniums , dianthus , hollyhocks , lavender , marigolds , nasturtiums , oregano , sage , shasta daisies , yarrow , and zinnias . Butterfly larvae , or caterpillars , have their own preferences , which include borage , hollyhocks , milkweed , thistles , and willows . Now that you have an idea of what to include in your pollinator-friendly garden , let ’ s go over my top 10 favorites in a little more depth .
Top Ten Plants for Pollinators
If you are having a hard time deciding what to include in your garden this year , here are my top 10 favorite plants for pollinators . These add beauty and functionality to your garden and help to create a diverse and thriving ecosystem . Sunflowers are one of my all-time favorites and I look forward to their blooms every year . There are many different varieties . Some grow more than eight feet tall and move to face the sun as it moves . Others have multiple heads per stalk that bloom in a beautiful succession . The birds and bees love them , and we love snacking on their edible seeds .
Maximum Yield 25