How to Choose Pollinator Garden Plants the Bees Will Love

We’re officially in that time of year when local pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other animals are ready to help your garden thrive. But what if you don’t have many on your property? Or what if you want to help support your local pollinator populations by adding pollinator garden plants to your backyard? 

Whatever camp you find yourself in, we are breaking down everything you need to know to choose the perfect pollinator-friendly plants and flowers if you’re starting a garden this season. 

What Makes Pollinators So Good for Gardening?

When you welcome bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, you set the stage for healthier and more productive pollinator gardens. Pollinators move from bloom to bloom, naturally fertilizing your plants and boosting local biodiversity.

This all-natural fertilization results in larger fruits, vegetables, and blooms. In other words, a healthy population of pollinators directly relates to a thriving garden without any additional work for you!

Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Help to Save the Bees

Bees, in particular, have had a tough time lately with pesticides, shrinking wild spaces, and unpredictable weather. By choosing organic, chemical-free methods and planting local, bee-friendly plants in your pollinator garden, you're giving them a safe place to live and work. 

Every time you set up a pollinator-friendly garden, you're doing your part to help “save the bees,” — meaning a healthier pollinator garden and a more sustainable environment for everyone.

5 Tips to Create a Pollinator-Friendly Backyard Garden

1. Choose a Diverse Array of Plants: Include a variety of native flowers flowers for bees and butterflies with different shapes, colors, and bloom times. 
2. Aim for Continuous Blooms: Choose plants that flower in spring, summer, and fall to provide a steady supply of pollen and nectar. 
3. Offer Shelter Options: Shrubs, trees, and tall grasses act like cozy hangout spots for tired pollinators. These safe spaces give them places to rest and hide from predators.
4. Skip the Harsh Chemicals: Pesticides may offer a quick fix, but they can be harmful to pollinators that you want to support. Opt for natural pest-control methods — like companion planting or introducing ladybugs — to protect both your plants and pollinators.
5. Provide a Refreshing Drink: Pollinators get thirsty, too. Set out a shallow water dish or birdbath with a few pebbles so they have a safe place to land and sip.

Which Pollinator Garden Plants Should You Choose?

Depending on which types of pollinators you hope to attract, you’ll want to choose flowers for bees and butterflies and birds that will appeal to them specifically. 

Here is our quick pocket guide to pollinator garden plants to get you started:

For Bees

• Lavender: Aromatic for you; irresistible for bees.
• Sunflowers: Bright and packed with pollen.
• Clover: Easy, low-maintenance lawn alternative.
• Bee Balm (Monarda): The name says it all.
• Goldenrod: Great for late-summer nectar.
• Blueberries: Early blooms that bees love.
• Borage: Star-shaped flowers that keep blossoming.

For Butterflies

• Milkweed: Essential for monarch caterpillars.
• Zinnias: Colorful, easy to grow, butterfly magnet.
• Verbena: Tiny clusters make perfect landing pads.
• Butterfly Bush: True to its name — ideal for butterflies.
• Asters: Late-season lifeline for migrating butterflies.
• Phlox: Fragrant blooms in striking colors.
• Coreopsis: Bright, daisy-like flowers.

For Birds

• Coneflowers (Echinacea): Seed heads become bird buffets.
• Black-Eyed Susans: Seed-rich favorite for feathered friends.
• Salvias: Tubular blooms attract hummingbirds.
• Holly Bushes: Red berries offer wintertime snacks.
• Serviceberry: Tasty berries for you and the birds.
• Sunflowers: Even after they bloom, the seeds feed birds.

For the Best Results, Choose Native Pollinator Garden Plants

Native plants are the top-tier option when it comes to attracting pollinators. These plants are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil and require less water, fewer fertilizers, and minimal maintenance. More importantly, native plants have evolved alongside local bees, butterflies, and birds, making them the ideal choice to create a thriving, pollinator-friendly garden.

When you are curating a selection of pollinator-friendly plants, start by researching which plants are native to your area and then supplement from there if you want more variety in the types of blooms in your pollinator garden. 

Where to Find Native Pollinator Garden Plants for Your Area

Finding the right native plants for your garden is easier than you might think. Here are some trusted resources to guide you:

• Local Extension Services: Universities and government agencies offer guides, workshops, and personalized advice on native species that thrive in your region.
• Native Plant Societies: These groups connect you with experts and fellow gardeners who share insights on the best native plants for attracting pollinators.
• Local Nurseries and Botanical Gardens: Visit these local hotspots for tailored advice and to see native plants in action.
• Online Databases: Resources like the USDA Plant Database and state-specific native plant websites are excellent tools for your research.
• Community Forums and Gardening Groups: Tap into the experiences of other gardeners who’ve successfully integrated native pollinator plants into their outdoor spaces.

Use a Greenhouse to Boost Your Pollinator Garden Plants

Did you know that a greenhouse could be the extra boost that makes your pollinator-friendly garden healthier, more sustainable, and easier to maintain? Not only will a greenhouse provide a safe starting point for younger plants and a safe haven away from harsh chemicals, but you’ll also be able to keep everything you need for gardening chores ready to use at a moment’s notice. 

Keep Everything in One Place

Imagine not having to scramble around looking for seed packets, trowels, or your favorite gardening gloves. With a dedicated space for your tools and seeds, you’ll spend less time searching and more time enjoying your pollinator garden.

Give Your Seedlings a Head Start

Think of your greenhouse as a cozy starter home for your plants. By nurturing your seedlings in a controlled environment, you help them grow strong before they brave the outdoors. It’s like giving your young plants a VIP treatment!

Create a Safe, Chemical-Free Zone

When your garden tools and supplies are neatly stored in one spot, it’s easier to keep things organized — and that means no accidental mix-ups with harmful chemicals. Keeping your space pesticide-free is one more way to make sure your garden is a safe haven for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Customize for Your Needs

Add some shelves, hooks, or storage bins to keep everything tidy and accessible. Not only will you be better prepared to spend time gardening, but you’ll also be more likely to want to when the space is customized and personalized to your tastes and preferences. 

Make a Beeline to Pollinator-Friendly Gardening

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden isn’t just a smart way to boost your harvest — it’s a chance to give back to the natural world right in your own backyard. When you mix native pollinator garden plants with a variety of blooms, provide cozy shelter, and even set up a greenhouse to keep everything in order, you’re building a safe haven for bees, butterflies, and birds. Not only do these little helpers make your garden more vibrant, but they also naturally fertilize your plants, making everything grow stronger and more bountiful.

Even if you’re just starting out, every small step counts. By choosing pollinator-friendly plants and flowers for bees and butterflies, you’re playing a part in protecting our local wildlife and creating a more sustainable environment for everyone.

Ready to get started with your own backyard pollinator garden? Explore our custom greenhouse and shed options or try out our 3D Shed Builder to design the perfect space to support your local pollinator garden plants today.