Save the Bees! Best Plants For Pollinators You Can Add To Your Garden Today

Approximately one-third of the food we eat directly depends on pollinators, and without them, our agricultural system wouldn’t survive. So, I hate to tell you that in the midst of everything else going on in the world, our pollinators are dying off at rates that have never been seen before. (Breen, 2025).”  Millions of honey bees have been found dead in recent months, the monarch butterfly has been on and off the endangered species list for years, and bumble bee populations have decreased by 90% since 2000.

That’s why I am focusing on creating pollinator-attracting areas in my garden this year.  In fact, it will be my main focus. Plus, pollinators will help my garden thrive, so it’s a win-win! If you want to know more about pollination and what the best plants for pollinators are, here’s what I’ve learned and what I’m trying in my garden this year

What Are Pollinators, and What Do They Do?

Pollinators are animals that help transfer pollen from one flower to another, which enables the plants to produce fruits, seeds, and new plants. Some pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, beetles, and bats (yes, bats).

Excuse me for geeking out, but the pollination process is really neat! It’s one of those crucial life processes that most of us never even think about. Here’s how it works – flowers produce nectar, a sweet, energy-rich liquid to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. As these insects land to feed, pollen sticks to their bodies. When they visit the next flower, some of that pollen gets transferred, potentially reaching the stigma (female part of the plant) and enables the plant to reproduce. Pretty cool, right!?

Why Do We Need Pollinators?

Without getting all doomsday-ish, the world as we know it would not exist without pollinators. According to this information from the USDA’s website, almost 80% of all crop plants grown around the world rely on pollination by animals. Pollination also helps plants produce larger crop yields and more flavorful fruits and vegetables. So, simply put, without pollinators, there would be close to no food. Animals and plant species would die off – and that includes us.

Here’s a list of foods that require pollination.  You’ll see some favorites like cherries, chocolate, and coffee; however, think of all the food not listed with ingredients that rely on pollination.  It’s pretty scary.

How Can We Help Save The Pollinators?

Scientists don’t know exactly what is causing the sudden deaths of so many pollinators.  Although they point to the regular culprits- overuse of pesticides, loss of habitat, change in climate – they don’t know if there is more to the story. So, while they work to figure that out, here’s what we can do to help save the pollinators:

• Add pollinator-friendly plants to your yard and garden.
• Add diversity in your plants and plant flowers strategically so your garden has plants of different heights, colors, and shapes.
• Don’t immediately clean up yard waste like fallen leaves where the pollinators may live.
• Use plants that are considered native in your area. If you need help finding examples, you can ask your local garden center, or check out this Native Plant Finder on the National Wildlife Federation’s website.
• Include early, mid, and late bloomers so there’s always something in season.
• Avoid pesticides – they can harm pollinators if sprays are used carelessly.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best plants for pollinators:

Best Plants For Pollinators

🌼 Native Wildflowers

Native plants are the best bet for attracting local pollinators. Plus, these plants tend to require less maintenance, too.

Examples of native wildflowers:

🌸 Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Why Pollinators Love It:
With a long blooming period and a sturdy landing pad, coneflowers are ideal for bees and butterflies alike. They bloom mid-to-late summer when food sources may be scarce.

Additional Benefits:
Coneflower is a well-known immune booster in herbal medicine. It’s low maintenance, deer-resistant, and thrives in poor soil.

More wildflowers to add to your pollinator garden:

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Hardy and blooms for weeks.
• Milkweed (Asclepias) – Essential for monarch butterflies.

🌿 Herbs

While I love to plant herbs to use to add flavor to my food, they’re also some of the best plants for pollination.  The trick is, you have to allow them to flower since that’s what the bees like.

My fave:

🌼 Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Why Pollinators Love It:
Lavender’s fragrant purple flowers are packed with nectar, making them a favorite among bees and butterflies. The long blooming season—typically from late spring through summer—means it provides a reliable food source when other flowers may not be in bloom.

Additional Benefits:
Lavender is drought-tolerant once established and also repels mosquitoes, making it a garden win-win. Bonus: you can use dried lavender for homemade sachets and teas

Add these too:

• Thyme & Oregano – Ground cover that attracts pollinators when it flowers.

🌺 Colorful Perennials

Perennials return year after year, and many are excellent nectar sources for pollinators.

Top Pick:

🌿 Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

Why Pollinators Love It:
This North American native is known for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and a wide range of bees. Its spiky, vibrant flowers offer both nectar and pollen.

Additional Benefits:
Bee balm has a wild, rustic look perfect for cottage gardens. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it a traditional herbal remedy for colds and infections.

Other great choices:

• Blazing Star (Liatris) – Spiky purple blooms that attract butterflies.
• Coreopsis – Bright yellow flowers that bloom all summer.

🌳 Flowering Trees & Shrubs

Don’t forget to plant for structure! Early-blooming trees and shrubs provide vital food when not much else is flowering.

Top Picks:

• Viburnum – Many varieties are pollinator-friendly.
• Blueberry bushes – You’ll get to eat the yummy fruit, and the bees love the blooms.

🌸 Annuals for Continuous Blooms

Annuals bloom fast, so they’re perfect for filling in gaps in your garden and providing constant nectar for pollinators throughout gardening season.

Top Pick:

🌻 Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Why Pollinators Love It:
Sunflowers serve double-duty: their large, open centers are rich in nectar for bees, while their pollen is easily accessible to beetles and other small pollinators. After blooming, they produce seeds that birds love.

Additional Benefits:
They grow quickly and create stunning visual interest. Plus, their roots help detoxify the soil—a process called phytoremediation.

More annuals to plant in your garden to attract pollinators:

• Zinnias – Easy to grow and butterflies flock to them – and they’re also excellent for fresh flower bouquets.
• Cosmos – The delicate, airy blooms attract bees and butterflies.

Help Pollinators By Creating a Pollinator Friendly Garden

Creating a pollinator friendly garden does require a little bit of planning, but by including a mix of native flowers, herbs, perennials, and blooming trees, you’ll create a beautiful space in your garden that will also act as a vital habitat for the creatures that make life grow.

If you have more tips on how to help our pollinators, please leave them in the comments.  If you find this blog post useful, please share it!

References

Breen, K. (2025, March 29). CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bee-deaths-food-supply-stability-honeybees/

It’s Time To List the American Bumblebee as Endangered. (2023, January 19). Retrieved from Environement America: https://environmentamerica.org/updates/its-time-to-list-the-american-bumblebee-as-endangered/#:~:text=The%20American%20bumblebee%20population%20has,use%20of%20bee%2Dkilling%20pesticides.