If you love watching bees buzzing, butterflies fluttering, and hummingbirds zipping around your yard, your garden can become a magnet for these beautiful pollinators. The secret? Planting flowers rich in nectar, color, and scent that attract them all season long. Here are 25 flowers that will bring your garden to life.
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm has colorful flowers in red, pink, or purple. Its bright petals are shaped to welcome hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. It grows well in full sun and rich soil. The blooms are full of nectar and last through summer. Bee balm also adds a splash of color and attracts helpful insects to your yard.
2. Zinnia
Zinnias come in many colors, like red, orange, pink, and white. Their tall stems and open blooms attract butterflies and bees. They need lots of sun and bloom for a long time. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed and keep blooming if you remove old flowers. They’re great for garden beds and borders.
3. Milkweed
Milkweed is a key plant for monarch butterflies. It gives nectar for adults and leaves for caterpillars to eat. The blooms are pink, white, or orange and smell sweet. Milkweed grows best in sunny places and helps support butterfly life cycles. It's a must-have for pollinator gardens.
4. Salvia
Salvia has tall spikes of purple, red, or blue flowers. Hummingbirds and bees love its long tubes filled with nectar. These flowers grow best in full sun and dry soil. Salvia blooms all summer and adds height to garden beds. It’s a great pick for sunny, dry areas.
5. Sunflower
Sunflowers are tall plants with big, golden blooms. Bees visit them for pollen and nectar. Their seeds feed birds later in the season. Sunflowers grow quickly and love the sun. Pick single-head varieties to help pollinators get easier access. They bring bold beauty and busy bees to your yard.
6. Lantana
Lantana grows small flower clusters in many bright colors. Butterflies and bees love the rich nectar. It blooms nonstop and loves hot, sunny spots. Lantana is great for containers or garden beds. Its scent and color attract helpful insects all summer.
7. Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers have red and yellow petals and bloom for months. They attract bees and butterflies with lots of nectar. These plants grow well in dry, sunny areas. They need little care and bring lots of color. Blanket flowers keep blooming even in tough spots.
8. Globe Thistle
Globe thistle has bold, spiky blue or purple flowers. Bees love their shape and nectar. The plant grows well in full sun and poor soil. It blooms in summer and adds a unique texture to garden beds. Globe thistle is drought-tolerant and easy to grow.
9. Coral Honeysuckle
Coral honeysuckle is a native vine with clusters of bright red, tube-shaped flowers. It's a favorite of hummingbirds, who can easily sip nectar from its long blooms. This plant grows well on fences, trellises, or arbors in full sun to part shade. It blooms in spring and summer, offering lasting color. Coral honeysuckle is a beautiful, low-maintenance choice for vertical garden interest.
10. Coreopsis
Coreopsis has small, sunny yellow flowers that butterflies and bees enjoy. It blooms for a long time and grows easily in full sun. The plant is drought-tolerant and brings bright color to gardens. Coreopsis is cheerful and low-maintenance.
11. Borage
Borage has star-shaped blue flowers and fuzzy leaves. Bees love it, and the plant reseeds itself each year. It grows well in sunny spots and adds charm to garden beds. The flowers are also edible and pretty on salads. Borage is both useful and beautiful.
12. Phlox
Phlox blooms in clusters of pink, white, or purple. Its sweet scent draws butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It grows well in sunny or partly shaded spots. Phlox blooms in summer and adds a soft look to garden beds. It's a pollinator favorite with lots of charm.
13. Verbena
Verbena grows low to the ground and spreads out. Its bright flowers bloom for months and attract butterflies. It needs lots of sun and does well in containers. Verbena is great for borders, hanging baskets, and pots. It adds color and life to any space.
14. Penstemon
Penstemon, or beardtongue, has long, tube-shaped flowers. Hummingbirds and bees love them. The plant grows best in dry, sunny spots. It comes in shades of red, purple, and white. Penstemon blooms in early summer and adds vertical interest to gardens.
15. Mountain Mint
Mountain mint is one of the best flowers for attracting pollinators. It blooms in small white or pink clusters and gives off a strong minty smell. Bees, butterflies, and even wasps love to visit. It grows well in sun or part shade and spreads gently. Mountain mint is tough, low-maintenance, and perfect for filling garden gaps with buzzing life.
16. Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye weed grows tall with pink flower clusters. Butterflies love it, especially in late summer. It grows best in moist soil and sun or part shade. This plant adds height and attracts insects when other flowers start to fade.
17. Cosmos
Cosmos are tall with feathery leaves and daisy-like blooms. Butterflies and bees enjoy their nectar. They bloom from summer to frost. Cosmos are easy to grow from seed and need little care. They look airy and elegant in the garden.
18. Goldenrod
Goldenrod has yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. Bees and butterflies rely on it for nectar during fall. It grows in sunny spots and is easy to care for. Goldenrod helps pollinators fuel up before migration.
19. Fuchsia
Fuchsia has hanging flowers in pink, red, or purple. Hummingbirds enjoy their unique shape and sweet nectar. It does well in shaded pots and adds a touch of elegance. Fuchsia blooms for months and brings movement and color to you garden.
20. Alyssum
Alyssum grows tiny white or purple flowers. It forms low mounds that smell sweet. Bees like to visit, especially in spring and fall. Alyssum grows well in cool weather and looks lovely in garden edges or containers.
21. Pride of Madeira
Pride of Madeira grows tall spires packed with purple-blue flowers. Hummingbirds and bees love the rich nectar in every bloom. This plant thrives in sunny, dry areas and needs little care once established. It blooms in spring and summer and adds bold texture to your garden. Its unique shape and long-lasting flowers make it a standout in any pollinator-friendly space.
22. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums have round leaves and bright flowers. Bees and hummingbirds enjoy their nectar. The flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery taste. They grow fast and do well in poor soil. Nasturtiums are great for garden beds or containers.
23. Yarrow
Yarrow has flat-topped flowers in white, yellow, or pink. Bees and butterflies love them. It’s tough and grows in dry, sunny spots. Yarrow also helps keep pests away. It blooms for a long time and fills garden spaces well.
24. Tithonia
Tithonia or Mexican Sunflower has tall stems and bold orange flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit often. It blooms late in the season when food is scarce. Tithonia grows well in sunny spots and adds height and color to your garden.
25. Scabiosa
Scabiosa or Pincushion Flower has round, pincushion-shaped blooms in purple, pink, or white. Butterflies love them. The flowers sit on long stems and bloom from summer to fall. Scabiosa likes sun and well-drained soil. It adds fun shapes to garden beds.
Create a Pollinator Paradise
To bring more pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard, choose a mix of flowers that bloom throughout the seasons. Prioritize color, scent, and nectar. With the right flowers, your garden will be buzzing, fluttering, and humming in no time!