They are annuals in all zones and bloom from late summer until the first frost . You can start them indoors or direct sow them into the garden after the last frost . They get pretty huge and may need staking and supports to keep standing tall as the season goes on . Nasturtiums are a staple in my garden . They sprawl and spread with their beautiful , edible leaves and flowers that are a spicy addition to salads . Bees , hummingbirds , and aphids love them , so they are also a great trap crop if you are looking for organic pest-control methods . They are annuals in most places but can be grown as perennials in zones 9-11 , and bloom from early summer to fall . You can start them indoors or direct sow them in the garden after the last frost . Lavender is a beautiful and sweet-smelling addition to any garden , and bees love it ! It grows well in zones 5-9 and blooms in late spring . It can rebloom in late summer in some regions . It has medicinal benefits and can be used in many beauty treatments . You can start lavender from seed indoors and then transplant it outdoors after the last frost . It loves hot sun and dry soil , so don ’ t overwater it . English lavender grows best in cooler climates , while Spanish and French varieties do well in hot and humid climates . Bees love basil when it blooms , although many people try to prevent blooming by pinching its flowerheads so they get a larger harvest of leaves for pesto and other sauces . However , if left to its own devices , basil will bloom from midsummer to first frost . It can be grown as an annual in most zones , or as a perennial in zone 10 and above . Plant it where it will get six to eight hours of full sun and the soil is rich , moist , and well-draining . Basil is not only delicious in many meals , but also has medicinal benefits . Milkweed is a host plant and the only food source for monarch butterflies and caterpillars , and should be grown by every gardener who wants to save this endangered species . It can be grown as an annual in most zones , and as a perennial in zones 9-10 . It can be started indoors or sown directly in the garden and will bloom from early summer to fall . Bee balm attracts and feeds all your favorite pollinators — bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds — from late spring through fall in zones 3-9 . It prefers sun to partial shade and moist , rich , slightly acidic soil . Zinnias can be grown as an annual in all zones and attracts bees and butterflies . They bloom 60-70 days after sowing and can be succession planted throughout the season until they die back after the first frost . They prefer sun but will tolerate some shade and need rich , well-draining soil .
“ 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 .”
26 Maximum Yield