A lively garden is more than just pretty flowers—it's a place full of movement and sound. Birds sing, bees hum, and butterflies flutter. All of this starts with plants that make nectar. These plants give food to wildlife and help nature thrive. Adding nectar-rich plants makes a big difference, whether you have a big yard or a few pots on a patio. These 23 plants are great choices for bringing nature closer to home.
1. Lavender
Lavender grows tall spikes of purple flowers that smell sweet. Bees and butterflies love the scent and the nectar. It needs full sun and dry soil. Once it’s planted, it doesn’t need much care. This plant also helps keep pests away. Lavender is perfect for a garden that looks and smells great while helping pollinators.
2. Coneflower
Coneflowers have big, daisy-like petals that come in many colors. Their centers are full of nectar, which bees and butterflies enjoy. Birds come for the seeds once the flowers fade. They grow well in sunny places with well-drained soil. These tough plants bloom for months. They are great for adding color and helping wildlife at the same time.
3. Bee Balm
Bee balm has bright flowers in red, pink, or purple. The blooms are full of nectar and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. It grows best in full sun and moist soil. The leaves smell like mint and can even be used in tea. Bee balm adds height and color to your garden while feeding many visitors.
4. Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush has long flower spikes that bloom from summer into fall. Butterflies flock to it for nectar. It needs full sun and soil that drains well. Once it’s growing, it blooms for a long time. Be sure to trim it back each year to keep it healthy. This plant is a favorite for butterfly gardens.
5. Milkweed
Milkweed is vital for monarch butterflies. It offers nectar and is the only plant where monarchs lay eggs. The leaves feed caterpillars while the flowers attract pollinators. Native types grow best in local soil and climate. It’s easy to grow and very important for wildlife. Add it to your garden to help save monarchs.
6. Zinnias
Zinnias bloom in bright colors like red, pink, yellow, and orange. They are simple to grow from seeds and love sunny spots. Bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar. Zinnias bloom all summer and into fall. They also make great cut flowers. These cheerful plants bring color and life to your garden.
7. Salvia
Salvia plants grow tall flower spikes full of nectar. Hummingbirds and bees love their tubular blooms. They like full sun and dry soil. Salvias come in many colors, like blue, purple, red, and pink. They bloom for a long time and don’t need much care. Salvia is a great plant for attracting pollinators.
8. Catmint
Catmint grows low and spreads out, with soft purple-blue flowers. Pollinators come for the nectar, but deer usually stay away. It likes full sun and dry soil. This plant smells nice and looks tidy. It’s good for borders and paths. Catmint keeps blooming if you trim it a bit after the first flowers fade.
9. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans have bright yellow petals and dark centers. They bloom from summer to fall. Bees and butterflies enjoy the nectar, and birds eat the seeds later. They grow in full sun and can handle dry soil. These tough and cheerful flowers help bring many kinds of wildlife to your yard.
10. Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye weed is a tall wildflower with big clusters of pinkish-purple blooms. Butterflies love it. It grows best in moist soil and sun or light shade. It can grow very tall, so it’s great for the back of garden beds. This plant is native to many areas and supports local pollinators. It’s a wonderful choice for natural-looking gardens.
11. Lantana
Lantana grows small clusters of flowers in many bright colors. The blooms are packed with nectar. It likes the sun and can handle heat and dry soil. In warm places, lantana grows as a perennial. In cooler spots, grow it in pots and bring it indoors. It blooms for a long time and adds color.
12. Borage
Borage has blue, star-shaped flowers that bees love. The blooms are edible and can decorate salads. It grows easily from seed in sunny places. The leaves and stems are fuzzy and smell a bit like cucumber. Borage self-seeds, so it often comes back each year. It’s a fun plant for herb or flower gardens.
13. Cosmos
Cosmos grow tall with light, airy stems and colorful flowers in shades of pink, white, and orange. Insects and other wildlife visit them all the time. These plants like full sun and grow well in poor soil. Cosmos bloom for months and need little care. They are great for filling empty spots in the garden.
14. Goldenrod
Goldenrod blooms in late summer and fall with tall spikes of golden flowers. Insects and pollinators visit when other flowers are fading. It grows well in full sun and dry soil. This plant is native to many places and supports local wildlife. Despite common myths, it doesn’t cause allergies like ragweed does.
15. Verbena
Verbena has small flower clusters that bloom from spring to frost. Insects and bees visit often for nectar. It likes full sun and well-drained soil. Some types are low-growing, while others grow upright. It blooms nonstop and adds soft color to your garden. Verbena is easy to grow and great for pollinators.
16. Penstemon
Penstemon has tube-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The blooms come in many colors, like red, purple, pink, and white. It grows well in full sun and sandy or rocky soil. These plants don’t like wet roots, so good drainage is important. Penstemon is great for native gardens and sunny spots.
17. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, also called tickseed, has cheerful yellow or red flowers. They bloom for a long time and are full of nectar. Bees and butterflies love them. These plants like the sun and don’t need much water. They work well in wildflower gardens or borders. Coreopsis adds color and helps feed pollinators.
18. Phlox
Garden phlox grows tall and has clusters of fragrant flowers. Insects and hummingbirds love the nectar. It blooms in summer and prefers full sun or part shade. The flowers come in many colors, like pink, purple, and white. Phlox grows best in moist soil. It’s perfect for adding color and scent to the garden.
19. Yarrow
Yarrow has flat flower clusters that make it easy for insects to reach the nectar. It blooms in summer and comes in colors like yellow, pink, and white. Yarrow grows well in the sun and dry soil. It spreads quickly and is good for filling large spaces. It’s a strong, low-care plant.
20. Snapdragons
Snapdragons have fun, tube-shaped flowers that bumblebees love. The bees open their “mouth” to get to the nectar. They come in many bright colors. Snapdragons grow in cool weather and like sun or part shade. You can plant them in spring or fall. They also look nice in pots and borders.
21. Alyssum
Alyssum has tiny white, pink, or purple flowers that smell sweet. Bees and hoverflies visit it for nectar. It grows low and spreads out, making it great for borders or pots. Alyssum blooms for a long time and doesn’t mind cooler weather. It’s easy to grow and adds a soft, sweet touch to gardens.
22. Marjoram
Marjoram is a herb with tiny pink or purple flowers. Bees and butterflies visit it often. It likes the sun and well-drained soil. You can also use its leaves in cooking. This plant is small and neat, good for garden edges. Marjoram helps feed pollinators and gives your garden a nice scent.
23. Globe Thistle
Globe thistle has spiky, round blue or white flowers that wildlife loves. It blooms in summer and stands out in the garden. The plant likes dry soil and full sun. It doesn’t need much water once it’s growing. Globe thistle adds texture and helps feed pollinators. It’s also deer-resistant.
Your Backyard Can Make a Big Difference
Planting nectar-rich flowers is one of the easiest ways to help local wildlife. These plants give bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other creatures the necessary food. Even a few pots of the right blooms can bring in visitors. You’re creating a garden full of life and beauty by growing plants that support nature. Every flower counts!