25 Fabulous Pollinator-Friendly Perennials

Do you love pollinators and want to attract more to your garden?

As you probably know, a pollinator is any animal or insect that helps transfer pollen from the male part of a flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil), which is necessary for the plant to produce fruit and seeds.

The most common pollinators are bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other birds, but bats, beetles, flies, and even small mammals can be pollinators.

Pollinators play a vital role in many ecosystems, as they help maintain plant diversity and ensure the reproductive success of many plant species.

Without pollinators, many plants would not be able to produce fruit or seeds, which would have a ripple effect on the entire food chain. 

In addition, many crops that humans rely on for food, such as almonds, apples, and blueberries, depend on pollinators for their production.

Pollinators face several threats, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and disease. Creating pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes is one way to help support the health and well-being of these important creatures. 

By choosing plants that are attractive to pollinators and avoiding pesticides and other chemicals, gardeners can help create a welcoming environment for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in their communities.

Hummingbird In Flight Feeding On Bee Balm, 25 Fabulous Pollinator-Friendly Perennials

Flying honeybee landing on pink Milkweed

A brilliant, orange Monarch (danaus plexippus) pollinates a butterfly weed plant (asclepias tuberosa) with green leaves

Using Perrenials to Attract Pollinators

Selecting the appropriate perennials can provide a consistent, dependable supply of nectar and pollen season after season, which can help guarantee the survival of essential pollinators.

In addition, perennials have the added advantage of growing year after year, making them a smart choice for saving time and money.

Attracting pollinators is fun! Few things bring a smile faster than welcoming hummingbirds and butterflies into your garden. 

So, here you go: We’ve chosen 25 fabulous perennials that are particularly attractive to pollinators.

When planning your pollinator garden, select various plants that bloom throughout the season and are well-suited to your specific growing conditions. 

1. Agastache (hummingbirds, bees, butterflies)

Bumblebees collect pollen on the flowers Lofant Tibetan closeup ( Agastache rugosa, wrinkled Agastache, Korean mint )

This fragrant perennial, also known as hyssop or hummingbird mint, produces spikes of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and orange. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 5-9.

2. Anise hyssop (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

A Black Swallowtail Butterfly Feeds on Anise Hyssop in my herb garden.


This member of the mint family produces spikes of purple-blue flowers attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-9.

3. Bee balm (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

Hummingbird In Flight Feeding On Bee Balm

This showy plant produces brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple. It prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-9.

4. Black-eyed Susan (bees, butterflies)

Bee on Black-Eyed Susan. Defocused yellow nature background.

This classic garden flower produces daisy-like blooms in shades of yellow and orange. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 3-9.

5. Butterfly weed (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

A brilliant, orange Monarch (danaus plexippus) pollinates a butterfly weed plant (asclepias tuberosa) with green leaves

This member of the milkweed family produces clusters of bright orange flowers that are attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 3-9.

6. Coneflower (bees, butterflies)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and bumble bee on a purple coneflower

Also known as echinacea, this plant produces showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 3-9.

7. Culver's root (bees, hummingbirds)

Bee - Apis mellifera - pollinates a blossom of the Culver's root, Bowman’s root or black root - Veronicastrum virginicum

This tall plant produces spikes of white flowers that are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. It prefers moist soil and partial shade to full sun. Zones  3-8.

8. Daylily (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

A female black chinned hummingbird hovers in front of a bright orange daylily with her pollen covered beak open in a chirp.

This popular garden plant produces trumpet-shaped blooms in various colors. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones  3-9.

9. Foxglove (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

A bumble bee approaching a foxglove flower

This tall plant produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun. Zones  4-10.

10. Goldenrod (bees, butterflies)

Monarch Butterfly feeding on Stiff Goldenrod

This plant produces clusters of yellow flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones  3-9.

11. Honeysuckle (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

A small bee rests on a honeysuckle flower in the small village of Monteriggioni, Italy.

This fragrant plant produces clusters of tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, and orange. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-9.

12. Lavender (bees, butterflies)

Two lilac butterfly on Lavender flowers in rays of summer sunlight in spring outdoors macro in wildlife, soft focus. Delightful amazing atmospheric artistic image of beauty of nature environment.

This fragrant plant produces spikes of purple flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 5-9.

13. Liatris (bees, butterflies)

Bees collect honey from the purple Liatris spicata flower. Macro

Also known as the blazing star, this plant produces tall spikes of purple flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 3-8.

14. Lupine (bees, butterflies)

butterflies on lupine flowers on meadow, abstract natural sunny background. beautiful atmosphere dreamy floral landscape. summer season

This tall plant produces spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-8.

15. Milkweed (bees, butterflies)

Flying honeybee landing on pink Milkweed.

This plant is a must-have for any pollinator garden, producing clusters of fragrant flowers that are a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 3-9.

16. Penstemon (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

USA, New Mexico, Sandia Mountains. Female broad-tailed hummingbird feeding on penstemon blossoms.

This tall plant produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-9.

17. Phlox (bees, butterflies)

Admiral butterfly and the bee the flower of the white Phlox closeup.

This plant produces clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-8.

18. Purple coneflower (bees, butterflies)

Bees collecting pollen on purple coneflowers

Also known as echinacea, this plant produces showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones  3-9.

19. Russian sage (bees, butterflies)

A Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, on Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia

This fragrant plant produces spikes of blue-purple flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 5-9.

20. Salvia (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies)

Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) female feeds on Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) in South Coast Botanic Garden, Los Angeles, California, USA

This plant produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 5-9.

21. Sedum (bees, butterflies)

close up of an American copper butterfly resting on a pink sedum flower. feeding on flower. New England butterfly. Cute baby tiny butterfly

This plant produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 3-9.

22. Shasta daisy (bees, butterflies)

Bee sitting on white common daisy

This plant produces large, white blooms with yellow centers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 4-9.

23. Stokesia (bees, butterflies)

White Butterfly perched on Aster Daisy named Stokesia. A lovely blue flower in late summer.

Also known as Stokes' aster, this plant produces showy blue, purple, and white flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 5-9.

24. Sunflower (bees, butterflies)

Sunflower and a flying bee.

This plant produces large, cheerful blooms in shades of yellow and orange. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 4-10.

25. Yarrow (bees, butterflies)

A male Eastern Black Swallowtail sitting on a Yarrow flower with lavender in the background.

This plant produces clusters of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and white. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Zones 3-9.

Wrapping Up

By incorporating perennials into your garden, you can provide a reliable source of nectar and pollen for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies throughout the growing season.

With a little planning and care, you can create a beautiful and sustainable garden that supports the health and well-being of these important pollinators. 

In other words, if you love Mother Nature, attracting pollinators is the perfect way to have Mother Nature love you back. 

Here are more articles to enjoy:

Do Roses Attract Pollinators?

6 Keystone Plants That’ll Save the Planet According To Homegrown National Park

Do Self-Pollinating Trees Need Bees?

When To Cut Back A Butterfly Bush [And How To Do That]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *