Pollinator Friendly Plants

Agastache

Licorice-scented foliage and tubular orange-pink flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies find irresistible. Thrives on neglect.

Allium

Dramatic globe-shaped heads on tall stems. Architectural and deer-proof.

American Beautyberry

Inconspicuous flowers give way to stunning clusters of magenta-purple berries in fall. The berries are the show.

American Elderberry

Large flat clusters of creamy flowers in early summer give way to dark berries for jams and wildlife.

American Gold Rush Black-Eyed Susan

Narrow, fuzzy foliage resists the leaf spot that plagues Goldsturm. A worthy upgrade.

Anemone de Caen

Poppy-like flowers in jewel tones bloom in mid-spring over ferny foliage.

Anise Hyssop

Lavender-blue spikes with licorice-scented foliage. A pollinator powerhouse that blooms for months.

Apple

Fragrant white to pink flowers in spring precede a fall crop of dessert apples.

Asiatic Lily

Upward-facing blooms in a wide range of vivid colors. Easy to grow and brilliant in the summer border.

Aster

The grand finale of the garden season. Essential for fall pollinators.

Astilbe

Feathery plumes that light up shady, moist spots like nothing else can.

Autumn Joy Sedum

Broccoli-like heads open pink and age to copper-bronze. Four-season interest, zero maintenance.

Azalea

Explosive spring color in every warm hue. Acid-loving woodland classic.

Bee Balm

Shaggy, crown-shaped flowers that hummingbirds fight over.

Big Bluestem

The signature grass of the tallgrass prairie, turning copper-bronze in fall with distinctive turkey-foot seed heads.

Black-Eyed Susan

Golden prairie workhorse that lights up late summer meadows.

Blanket Flower

Fiery bicolor pinwheels that bloom nonstop in the worst heat and soil.

Bloom-a-Thon Azalea

Repeat-blooming azalea with waves of color spring through fall. Evergreen in mild climates.

Bloomerang Lilac

Blooms in spring, then reblooms summer through frost. Compact habit with classic lilac fragrance.

Blue False Indigo

Lupine-like spikes on a native that lives forever. Gets better with age.

Blue Flax

Delicate sky-blue flowers open each morning on airy stems over fine foliage.

Borage

Star-shaped electric blue flowers that bees go absolutely wild for. Self-sows freely.

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Massive suckering shrub with foot-long white flower candles. Showpiece for large shade gardens.

Butterfly Bush

Long, arching flower wands that butterflies absolutely lose their minds over.

Butterfly Milkweed

Vivid orange-red flat-topped clusters that monarchs and swallowtails cannot resist. Drought-proof once established.

Buttonbush

Weird and wonderful pincushion flowers like tiny white globes on a tough native that thrives in wet conditions.

California Lilac

Electric blue flower clusters on an evergreen California native. Hummingbird and bee magnet.

Callery Pear

Masses of white flowers in early spring on a tough, adaptable urban tree.

Camassia

Tall spikes of starry flowers rise above strappy foliage in late spring.

Campanula

Open, nodding bells in clear blue on tall graceful stems. Self-sows into refined cottage garden drifts.

Caradonna Salvia

Dark purple stems set this apart from every other salvia. Vertical, architectural, electric.

Cardinal Flower

Screaming scarlet spikes. The most vivid red in the native plant world.

Carolina Jessamine

One of the first vines to bloom each year, smothering itself in fragrant bright yellow tubes in late winter and early spring.

Cat's Meow Catmint

Tidy, dome-shaped habit that never flops open. Stays compact without shearing.

Catmint

Billowy lavender-blue haze that blooms all season if you shear it back.

Chamomile

Tiny daisy flowers with apple-scented foliage. Brew into tea or let it naturalize between pavers.

Chaste Tree

Long lavender-blue spikes cover this heat-loving shrub all summer. One of the few shrubs that actually blooms in August.

Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower

A rainbow mix of coneflower colors from a single seed strain. Every plant is a surprise.

Chives

Cheerful purple pom-pom flowers on a kitchen staple. Edible blooms make any salad Instagram-worthy.

Clematis

The queen of flowering vines. Over 300 species, something for every spot.

Cleome

Spider-flower with whisker-like stamens and airy blooms. Tall, dramatic annual that self-sows freely.

Cliffrose

Creamy white rose-like flowers with sweet fragrance and feathery seed plumes on a tough Rocky Mountain native.

Columbine

Delicate, spurred flowers that dance on wiry stems. Hummingbird favorite.

Compass Plant

Tall stems with large yellow daisies tower over deeply cut basal leaves that align north-south.

Coneflower

Tough prairie native with long bloom season and medicinal history.

Coral Bean

Bold spikes of tubular red flowers in spring attract hummingbirds before bean pods form.

Coral Honeysuckle

Non-invasive native honeysuckle with brilliant coral-red tubular flowers that hummingbirds hover at for months.

Cosmos

Airy, dancing flowers on thread-thin stems. Effortless cottage garden charm.

Crape Myrtle

The tree of the South. Months of crinkled blooms and gorgeous peeling bark.

Creeping Thyme

Fragrant, walkable ground cover. Bees love it, foot traffic can't kill it.

Crocus

One of the first signs of spring, pushing through snow with jewel-toned cups.

Crossvine

Tubular orange-red trumpets line this vigorous semi-evergreen vine in spring, attracting every hummingbird in the neighborhood.

Culinary Sage

Spiky purple blooms above silver-green aromatic foliage. A kitchen herb that doubles as an ornamental.

Culver's Root

Tall tapering spires of tiny white flowers that bees mob. Vertical and elegant at the back of the border.

Daffodil

Cheerful trumpets that naturalize beautifully and return stronger each year.

Dahlia

Endless forms from dinner-plate to pompom. The obsession of flower farmers.

Delphinium

Towering spires of true blue. The tallest, most dramatic back-of-border plant.

Dianthus

Spicy-scented, fringed petals. One of the best edging plants there is.

Dogwood

Iconic spring bloomer with fall berries and winter bark. Four-season beauty.

Don Juan Climbing Rose

Deep velvety red climber with classic rose fragrance. Repeats reliably on a strong, vigorous plant.

Double Delight Rose

Creamy white petals blush to strawberry red at the edges. Knockout fragrance matches the looks.

Double Knock Out Rose

Fuller, double-petaled version of the Knock Out. Same bulletproof performance with more petal count.

Drift Rose

Groundcover rose that stays low and spreads wide. Tough, disease-resistant, and constantly in bloom.

Dwarf Crested Iris

Tiny lavender-blue iris flowers with gold crests on a spreading native ground cover. A spring woodland treasure.

Dwarf Korean Lilac

Slow-growing dwarf with dense rounded habit. Perfect for small gardens and foundation plantings.

Eastern Redbud

Magenta flowers erupt directly from bare branches. Spring showstopper tree.

Elliott's Bluestar

Pale blue starry flowers in spring give way to feathery foliage that turns brilliant gold in fall. Two seasons of beauty for zero effort.

Emily McKenzie Crocosmia

Bold orange blooms with red throats appear on graceful arching stems in late summer.

Encore Autumn Azalea

Spring blooms plus a full fall encore. Multiple color options in the Encore series.

Endless Summer Hydrangea

Reblooms on old and new wood, so you get flowers even after a harsh winter. Color shifts with soil pH.

Ernest Markham Clematis

Magenta-red flowers with brown anthers that bloom late when others have faded. A solid, underappreciated red clematis.

False Sunflower

Cheerful golden-yellow daisies that bloom for months on a tough native perennial. The sunniest, most reliable workhorse in the border.

Feverfew

Clusters of small white daisies that bloom for weeks. Historic medicinal herb that self-sows readily.

Firecracker Penstemon

Spikes of scarlet tubular flowers that hummingbirds fight over. Southwestern native at its finest.

Flame Azalea

Outrageous blooms in hot orange, red, and yellow on a deciduous native azalea that stops people in their tracks.

Flowering Tobacco

Tubular flowers that release sweet fragrance at dusk. A cottage garden classic that attracts moths and hummingbirds.

Fothergilla

Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers in spring give way to some of the best orange-red fall color of any small native shrub.

Foxglove

Stately spires of spotted, bell-shaped flowers. Cottage garden royalty.

Fringe Tree

Clouds of white fringed petals dripping from branches in late spring. Fragrant and underused native.

Fruiting Cherry

Showy white spring flowers mature into sweet cherries that attract people and wildlife.

Garden Phlox

Billowing clusters of fragrant summer color. A butterfly magnet.

Giant Coneflower

Towering stems with dramatically elongated cones rise above huge blue-green paddle leaves. An architectural native that commands attention.

Globe Artichoke

Bold silvery foliage and large thistle-like buds are both decorative and edible.

Globe Thistle

Perfectly spherical steel-blue globes on white stems that dry to perfection. Bees are absolutely obsessed.

Goldenrod

Wrongly blamed for allergies. A vital late-season pollinator magnet.

Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan

The gold standard rudbeckia. Uniform, floriferous, and utterly reliable in any soil.

Gooseneck Loosestrife

Gracefully arching white flower spikes that curve at the tips like a goose neck. Spreads vigorously in moist soil.

Graham Thomas Rose

Rich golden-yellow cups with an intense tea rose fragrance. David Austin's most famous creation.

Grape Hyacinth

Tiny grape-like clusters that spread into rivers of blue over time.

Great Blue Lobelia

Intense blue flower spikes that hummingbirds and bumblebees fight over in late summer. The bolder, taller cousin of cardinal flower.

Green-and-Gold

Bright yellow star flowers appear for months above mat-forming foliage. The best spring ground cover for the Southeast.

Gulf Coast Penstemon

Nodding tubular flowers in soft lavender shades brighten moist woods of the Gulf Coast.

Hagley Hybrid Clematis

Soft shell-pink flowers with a hint of mauve that fade beautifully in part shade and bloom reliably all summer.

Hardy Hibiscus

Dinner-plate blooms up to 12 inches across on a native perennial that dies to the ground and returns bigger each year.

Hawthorn

White spring flowers, glossy red fruit, and exfoliating bark. Thorny but beautiful native with winter interest.

Helenium

Warm-toned daisy-like flowers with raised centers bloom as summer turns to fall. Loves moist soil.

Henryi Clematis

Large, pure white flowers with dark brown anthers rebloom in fall. Elegant, classic, and undeniably refined.

Hidcote Lavender

Compact and intensely dark purple. The standard against which all other lavenders are measured.

Highbush Blueberry

Bell-shaped spring flowers are followed by sweet blue berries and excellent fall color.

Honeysuckle

Tubular, nectar-rich flowers with a fragrance that defines summer evenings.

Hot Papaya Coneflower

Fiery double blooms like tiny orange dahlias on a coneflower. A showstopper that earns every bit of the hype.

Husker Red Penstemon

Dramatic burgundy-red foliage all season with white tubular flowers in late spring. The most striking native penstemon for gardens.

Hyacinth

Dense, intensely fragrant spikes. One bulb can perfume an entire room.

Hydrangea

Massive mophead blooms that shift color with soil pH. Showstoppers.

Ice Follies Daffodil

White petals frame a wide, ruffled cup that opens yellow and fades to cream. Multiplies fast.

Indian Grass

Golden-orange fall color and shimmering flower spikes make this tall prairie native one of autumn's best performers.

Indian Paintbrush

Bright red to orange bracts surround small flowers and glow across spring prairies.

Indian Summer Rudbeckia

Massive 6-9 inch golden daisies on a short-lived plant. Bigger and bolder than perennial black-eyed susans.

Jackmanii Clematis

The classic large-flowered clematis since 1858. Deep violet-purple blooms cover the vine midsummer.

Jasmine

Intensely sweet-scented white stars. The scent of warm southern evenings.

Joe-Pye Weed

Towering native with mauve domes that butterflies swarm in late summer.

King Alfred Daffodil

The classic golden trumpet daffodil. Naturalizes into massive sweeps that return for decades.

Knock Out Rose

The rose that changed everything. Disease-resistant, self-cleaning, and blooms nonstop from spring to frost.

Lantana

Multi-colored flower clusters that bloom relentlessly in brutal heat.

Lavender

Fragrant silver-green mounds beloved by bees and humans alike.

Liatris

Blazing star. Spikes that bloom unusually from top to bottom.

Ligularia

Bold, dinner-plate leaves with daisy-like flowers. Loves wet feet and will wilt dramatically if dry.

Lilac

Intensely fragrant clusters that define spring in northern gardens.

Luna Red Hibiscus

Compact variety with enormous crimson blooms that stays tidy enough for a large container.

Lungwort

Flowers open pink and turn blue on the same stem. Silver-spotted foliage looks great all season.

Lupine

Dramatic spikes in every color. Short-lived but self-seeds generously.

Magnus Coneflower

The gold standard coneflower. Flat, non-drooping petals around a bold copper cone. Perennial Plant of the Year.

Manzanita

Smooth red bark with urn-shaped flowers that feed hummingbirds in late winter. Sculptural beauty.

Marigold

Bulletproof color all season long. The workhorse of warm-toned borders.

Marsh Marigold

Glossy buttercup flowers in early spring along streams and wet areas. One of the first wetland bloomers.

May Night Salvia

Perennial Plant of the Year. Dense indigo-violet spikes that rebloom if deadheaded.

Mexican Hat

Distinctive sombrero-like flowers sway on wiry stems in summer prairies.

Miss Kim Lilac

Compact lilac with pale lavender blooms and outstanding fragrance. Burgundy fall foliage as a bonus.

Monkshood

Deep indigo-blue hooded flowers on tall spikes in late summer. One of the few genuinely blue flowers that grows in shade.

Morning Glory

Fast-climbing vine with trumpets that open fresh every morning.

Mountain Bluebell

Sky-blue bell flowers on tall arching stems along mountain streams. The showy western cousin of Virginia Bluebell.

Munstead Lavender

Earlier blooming and slightly softer purple than Hidcote. Gertrude Jekyll's favorite for a reason.

Native Spiderwort

Three-petaled flowers in blue-purple open fresh each morning on a tough native that blooms for weeks and seeds freely.

Native Witch Hazel

Spidery yellow flowers and intoxicating clove fragrance on bare branches in late fall. The last native shrub to bloom each year.

New Dawn Climbing Rose

The world's most popular climbing rose. Soft blush pink, sweetly fragrant, and remarkably vigorous.

Nootka Rose

Single, apple-pink blooms followed by large rose hips that persist through winter on a vigorous Pacific Northwest native.

Northern Sea Oats

Flat seed heads dangle from arching stems and dance in the slightest wind. The best native grass for shade.

Obedient Plant

Spikes of snapdragon-like flowers that can be pushed and stay where moved, earning a very literal common name.

Oceanspray

Cascading creamy white plumes on arching branches. Western Washington's summer answer to a native bridal veil.

Oregano

Tiny flowers are a pollinator magnet when allowed to bloom. Let a patch go to flower for the bees.

Oregon Grape

Holly-like evergreen with yellow flower clusters followed by blue berries. Tough, shade-loving native.

Oregon Iris

Small purple iris flowers with yellow signals on wiry stems. A tough, underappreciated Pacific Northwest native.

Oriental Lily

Huge, intensely fragrant blooms in deep pink and white that perfume the entire garden. The lily that defines summer.

Pardon Me Daylily

Compact cranberry-red with a yellow-green throat and one of the best reblooming habits in the entire family.

Peach

Early spring pink blossoms smother the branches before juicy peaches develop.

Penstemon

Tubular flowers on upright stems. Native hummingbird magnet for dry gardens.

Peony

Lush, ruffled blooms with intoxicating fragrance. Lives for decades.

Phenomenal Lavender

Survives humidity and cold that kills other lavenders. Silver foliage stays tight and full.

Pickerelweed

Spikes of violet-blue flowers above glossy arrow-shaped leaves. Native pond and stream bank staple.

Piedmont Azalea

Fragrant pale pink to white flowers open before the leaves in early spring, filling lowland forests with sweetness.

Plumleaf Azalea

The only azalea that blooms in midsummer, with fiery orange-red flowers that light up the late-season shade garden.

Polish Spirit Clematis

Deep violet-purple flowers cover a vigorous plant from midsummer to fall. Prune hard each spring and stand back.

Pomegranate

Brilliant orange-red blossoms in late spring and summer are followed by decorative, edible fruits.

Powwow Wild Berry Coneflower

Deep rose-purple petals and a bronzy cone on a compact reblooming plant that won't sprawl.

PowWow Wild Berry Coneflower

Compact, heavily branched, and smothered in deep rose-purple blooms. Reblooms without deadheading.

Prairie Dock

Huge basal leaves and tall stalks topped with yellow daisies give strong prairie structure.

Prairie Smoke

Nodding wine-red flowers transform into feathery pink seed plumes that persist into summer. Native prairie gem.

Prairifire Crabapple

Deep pink-red flowers on a disease-resistant crabapple. Persistent small fruit feeds winter birds.

Purple Prairie Clover

Brushy purple flower spikes rise over fine foliage and feed prairie pollinators.

Red Flowering Currant

Among the first shrubs to bloom in Pacific Northwest gardens, dripping with rosy-pink racemes that hummingbirds arrive for before anything else has opened.

Red Hot Poker

Torch-like spikes in fire-orange and yellow that hummingbirds zoom straight to. Bold and unforgettable.

Red Twig Dogwood

Flat clusters of white flowers and berries give way to vivid red stems that shine in winter.

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Large blue-and-white spurred flowers bloom in late spring above lacy foliage.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Spikes of deep blue tubular flowers rise above glossy evergreen foliage in early summer.

Rose

The queen of the garden. Modern varieties are surprisingly low-maintenance.

Rose Mallow

Enormous pale pink blooms up to 12 inches across on a wetland-loving native. Grow near a pond and you'll never look back.

Rose of Sharon

Tropical-looking hibiscus flowers on a cold-hardy shrub. Blooms late.

Rosemary

Aromatic evergreen herb with tiny blue flowers loved by early bees. Needs excellent drainage.

Russian Sage

Airy lavender clouds on silver stems. Thrives in heat and poor soil.

Salvia

Vertical flower spikes that hummingbirds and bees cannot resist.

Scarlet Gilia

Tubular red trumpets on a wiry biennial that hummingbirds adore across the Mountain West. Blooms its second year, then self-sows.

Sea Holly

Metallic blue bracts and cones turn the whole plant a vivid silvery-blue. Otherworldly and completely drought-proof.

Sedum

Succulent leaves, tough as nails. Ages to deep crimson in autumn.

Sensation Lilac

Unique bicolor blooms with purple petals edged in white. A head-turner in any spring garden.

Serviceberry

White spring clouds, edible berries, and blazing fall color. Four-season native tree that deserves more attention.

Shasta Daisy

Classic white-and-gold daisies that look fresh from a meadow painting.

Shooting Star

Nodding flowers with swept-back petals resemble tiny shooting stars in spring meadows.

Showy Goldenrod

Upright spikes of bright yellow flowers feed late-season pollinators on dry prairies.

Snapdragon

Vertical flower spikes with squeeze-open blooms. Kids love them.

Southern Magnolia

Huge glossy-leaved tree bearing enormous lemon-scented white flowers. The quintessential symbol of the Deep South's summer.

Speedwell

Tidy spikes of blue that add vertical punch to the front of the border.

Spicebush

Clusters of tiny yellow flowers appear on bare branches in early spring on a fragrant native shrub with blazing yellow fall color.

Spirea

Flat-topped flower clusters on tidy mounds. The easiest flowering shrub.

Stella de Oro Daylily

The most planted perennial in America. Compact, reblooming, and basically indestructible.

Stokes Aster

Fringed, shaggy-petaled flowers in shades of cornflower blue that bloom for weeks on a tough Southern native.

Sulphur Flower

Sulfur-yellow flower clusters on a silvery-leaved cushion plant. One of the toughest and prettiest natives of the Mountain West.

Summersweet Clethra

Spikes of intensely sweet-scented white flowers in midsummer, one of the best fragrant natives for shady spots.

Sundrop

Bright yellow cups that open in daylight on a cheerful, drought-tolerant native that spreads into informal drifts.

Sunflower

Pure joy on a stalk. Birds love the seeds, kids love the spectacle.

Swamp Milkweed

Soft mauve-pink clusters that monarch butterflies seek out for egg-laying. Thrives where it's consistently wet.

Swamp Rose

Clear pink single blooms on a native rose that thrives in wet spots, ditch edges, and rain gardens where other roses would drown.

Sweet Alyssum

Honey-scented carpet of tiny flowers. The best living edging plant.

Sweet Autumn Clematis

Explosive late-summer bloom of thousands of tiny fragrant white flowers. Vigorous to a fault.

Tall Phlox David

Pure white fragrant phlox with the best mildew resistance in the species. A reliable, clean performer for the late-summer garden.

Tall Verbena

Wiry stems topped with purple clusters that butterflies can't resist. See-through plant for layering.

Texas Blue Star

Fine foliage and pale blue starry flowers are followed by golden fall color.

Thalia Daffodil

Pure white, swept-back petals with two to three blooms per stem. Orchid-like elegance.

The President Clematis

Big, rich violet-blue flowers with silvery reverse petals rebloom through the season on a vigorous, reliable plant.

Thread-Leaf Coreopsis

Thread-fine foliage and masses of tiny yellow stars bloom for months with zero effort. A perennial you can actually neglect.

Tickseed

Cheerful native daisy that blooms for months with almost no care.

Tiger Lily

Spotted orange-yellow turk's cap blooms on tall stems. The fire-bright wildflower of Pacific Northwest meadows and open forests.

Trumpet Vine

Aggressive native vine with fiery trumpets. Hummingbird highway.

Turk's Cap

Nodding red hibiscus flowers that never fully open are pure hummingbird candy across the Gulf South.

Turtlehead

Snapdragon-like flowers shaped exactly like a turtle's head. Loves wet feet.

Viburnum

Fragrant snowball clusters in spring, then berries for birds in fall.

Vintage Wine Coneflower

Wine-purple petals that age to rose on a robust, well-branched plant. One of the most floriferous echinacea you can grow.

Virginia Bluebell

Woodland ephemeral with sky-blue bells. Disappears by summer, returns faithfully.

Virginia Sweetspire

Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers followed by brilliant orange-red fall color on a shade-tolerant, deer-resistant native.

Walker's Low Catmint

Perennial Plant of the Year. Billowy lavender-blue spikes that rebloom hard after a shear.

Water Lily

Floating jewels that transform any pond. Pads provide shade for fish while flowers dazzle above.

Weigela

Tubular blooms smother arching branches in late spring. Hummingbird haven.

Western Red Columbine

Scarlet and yellow spurred flowers that hummingbirds follow through the Pacific Northwest's mountain meadows.

White Prairie Clover

Cylindrical white flower spikes with orange anthers on a delicate, drought-proof prairie native that feeds bees all summer.

White Swan Coneflower

Pure white drooping petals around a bronze-orange cone. Elegant and underused.

White Wild Indigo

Luminous white lupin-like spikes on a structural native that's practically indestructible and improves with every year.

Wild Azalea

Sweetly fragrant pinwheel flowers on a deciduous native azalea that grows from New England to Georgia. Earlier and more cold-hardy than most.

Wild Bergamot

The wild cousin of bee balm. Lavender puffs alive with pollinators. Tougher and more mildew-resistant.

Wild Blue Phlox

Loose clusters of sky-blue flowers float above woodland floors in spring on a fragrant, mat-forming native.

Wild Columbine

Nodding red-and-yellow spurred flowers that hummingbirds love on a self-sowing native that naturalizes along woodland edges.

Wild Geranium

Soft pink blooms over deeply-cut foliage. A woodland edge staple.

Wisteria

Cascading, fragrant racemes that create a dreamy canopy. Needs structure.

Yarrow

Flat-topped clusters on ferny foliage. Thrives on neglect in poor soil.

Yoshino Cherry

Clouds of pale blossoms cover the tree in early spring, later followed by small bird-edible cherries.

Zinnia

Easy-grow annual with electric colors. Cut-and-come-again champion.