Spring is buzzing with life, and pollinators are on the move. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds depend on early blooms to fuel their journeys. Make your garden bloom, refresh a patio, or spruce up your balcony with these pollinator-friendly plants that offer color, fragrance, and a nectar-filled welcome mat to vital pollinators. Early-season flowers not only support the ecosystem but also bring vibrant life to any outdoor space. These blooms help maintain biodiversity and healthy food systems, creating a habitat that attracts beneficial insects and adds beauty to your garden.
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is a fragrant favorite for bees and butterflies, known for its soothing scent and gorgeous purple blooms. This perennial herb thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny garden beds or pots. Its early blooms provide crucial nectar for pollinators emerging in spring. Lavender also repels certain pests, making it a double-duty plant for your garden. It can be harvested for culinary or craft use, adding value beyond its beauty. Drought-tolerant once established, and it’s a low-maintenance option.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm’s bright pink and red blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies alike. Its shaggy, vibrant blooms are a magnet for pollinators in the early growing season. Bee Balm prefers moist, rich soil and thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade. It's a native plant in many areas, making it a great choice for eco-conscious gardens. This plant can spread quickly, so give it room or contain it with edging. In addition to its wildlife benefits, its leaves can be used in herbal teas.
3. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvia is a hardy perennial with nectar-rich tubular flowers that pollinators love. The tall spikes of blue, purple, or red blooms appear in mid to late spring, just when pollinators need them most. These plants are low-maintenance and thrive in full sun with well-drained soil. Once established, they can tolerate drought, making them ideal for water-wise gardening. Salvia blooms continuously with regular deadheading, extending its value for pollinators. Deer and rabbits generally avoid them, reducing damage in your garden.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea)
These daisy-like flowers bloom in late spring and provide pollen and nectar for butterflies and bees. Coneflowers are known for their bold purple petals and distinctive cone-shaped centers. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, often blooming into summer and early fall. Their seed heads also feed birds later in the season, extending their usefulness beyond spring. Coneflowers are drought-tolerant and hardy, making them ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
5. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
With cheerful yellow petals and dark centers, Black-Eyed Susans bring in pollinators while standing up to heat and dry conditions. These resilient perennials bloom from late spring through fall, offering a long-lasting source of nectar and pollen. They prefer full sun and can handle poor soil, making it easy for them to grow in many environments. Bees, butterflies, and even some beetles are drawn to their simple flower structure. They self-seed readily, creating naturalized drifts over time.
6. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
This sunny yellow bloomer is long-lasting and tough, with flowers that pollinators can't resist. It thrives in poor soil and spreads easily, making it ideal for borders and wildflower gardens. Coreopsis blooms from spring into summer, offering ongoing support for bees and butterflies. It’s low-maintenance and tolerates drought well once established. These plants are often used in restoration projects due to their resilience and pollinator benefits.
7. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage blooms early and offers star-shaped blue flowers rich in nectar. Bees adore it, often visiting it throughout the day for its plentiful food. This herb grows quickly from seed and can self-sow for continued presence in your garden. Borage is edible and can be used to garnish salads or drinks, adding a fun edible element. It also improves soil health by adding trace minerals as it decomposes. Grow borage near tomatoes and strawberries for added pollination benefits.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Clusters of tiny flowers form flat heads, perfect landing pads for pollinators. Yarrow grows easily in dry soil and full sun, thriving where other plants might struggle. It blooms from spring to early summer and sometimes again in the fall. The plant’s feathery foliage adds texture to gardens and bouquets. Yarrow also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. It’s useful in herbal remedies, including teas and salves for wounds.
9. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
Lupines, with their tall spires of purple, blue, or pink flowers, are beloved by bees and admired for their bold structure. They fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for neighboring plants. Lupines prefer cool spring temperatures and well-drained soil. They are native to many regions and support local ecosystems. Their deep taproots help them access water during dry periods. Plant them in groups to create a visual impact and attract more pollinators.
10. Catmint (Nepeta)
Soft purple blooms and gray-green foliage make catmint a pollinator magnet that adds gentle beauty to any garden. It’s low-maintenance and drought-resistant and blooms for weeks from spring through early summer. Bees especially love its nectar-rich flowers. Catmint spreads nicely without becoming aggressive, filling in gaps in borders. It pairs beautifully with roses and other perennials.
11. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
These vibrant orange blooms are among the first to arrive in spring, providing early nectar for bees. California poppies thrive in poor, well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Their silky petals close at night and open with the morning sun, creating a dynamic visual. They self-seed readily and can spread over time, filling in bare spaces beautifully. These poppies are drought-tolerant and flourish without fertilizer, reducing garden upkeep.
12. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias bloom early and often, making them a favorite for butterflies and bees. These bright, daisy-like flowers grow quickly from seed and offer a rainbow of colors. Zinnias prefer full sun and thrive in warmer spring conditions. They attract various pollinators thanks to their open structure and accessible nectar. Deadheading encourages more blooms, making your garden even more pollinator-friendly. They’re also resistant to deer and easy to grow in containers or borders.
13. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Also known as beardtongue, penstemon features tubular flowers perfect for hummingbirds and long-tongued bees. These spring bloomers come in shades of purple, red, pink, and white. Penstemon thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil and tolerates drought well. Their tall spikes add height and interest to pollinator gardens. These plants bloom best when grouped together and can reseed under the right conditions. Hummingbirds are especially drawn to the red varieties.
14. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket flowers are early bloomers that bring vivid reds and yellows to your spring garden. They tolerate poor soil, drought, and heat, making them great for tough spots. These flowers produce lots of nectar, drawing in bees and butterflies. Their long-lasting blooms provide an ongoing food source through late spring. Gaillardia is easy to grow and reseeds for future seasons. It’s also deer-resistant and works well in sunny borders or wildflower gardens.
15. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Phlox offers clouds of pastel blooms in shades of pink, white, and lavender. Spring-blooming varieties like creeping phlox form dense mats covered in flowers. Their sweet scent and vivid colors attract bees and butterflies in droves. Phlox prefers rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It spreads slowly and can be divided to expand your pollinator garden. These flowers also work well as ground cover or cascading plants in containers.
16. Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
Spiderwort is a unique spring bloomer with vibrant blue or purple three-petal flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it perfect for woodland gardens. Bees are especially drawn to its rich nectar, often swarming the blooms early in the day. The plant spreads through clumping roots and can be divided to create more pollinator-friendly patches. Spiderwort’s grass-like foliage adds texture to beds and borders.
17. Columbine (Aquilegia)
Columbines are delicate and enchanting with spurred flowers that attract both hummingbirds and bees. These spring bloomers come in various colors and thrive in light shade with well-drained soil. Their unique flower shape makes them ideal for gardens designed with pollinators in mind. Columbines often reseed themselves, giving rise to new plants each year with varied colors. They mix well with other spring perennials and add a soft, romantic look.
18. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is a critical plant for pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, which rely on it for egg-laying and as a larval food source. Spring-flowering varieties like butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) offer bright orange blooms that attract bees and butterflies. These plants thrive in sunny, well-drained spots and are drought-tolerant once established. Milkweed contains milky sap that deters most pests, making it a durable addition to pollinator gardens.
19. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)
Heuchera, or coral bells, offers small bell-shaped blooms on tall, wiry stems that are irresistible to hummingbirds. These plants are shade-tolerant and thrive in woodland gardens or shadier borders. Their striking foliage comes in many colors, adding visual interest even when not in bloom. Coral bells bloom in late spring, providing an early nectar source. The flowers sway in the breeze, making them visible to flying pollinators.
20. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Alyssum is a low-growing plant with tiny, sweet-scented flowers that bloom profusely in spring. It grows well in containers, rock gardens, and along borders where it can spill attractively. Its nectar-rich blooms are especially appealing to bees and hoverflies. Alyssum prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil. It can tolerate light frosts and quickly rebounds with warmth. The plant also serves as a living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
21. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are both ornamental and edible, offering clumps of purple globe-shaped flowers in spring. These blooms are a favorite among bees and beneficial insects. Chives grow easily in garden beds or containers and prefer full sun. They’re perennial and come back year after year with minimal care. The edible leaves can be used in cooking, making them a dual-purpose plant.
22. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod often gets blamed for allergies, but it's actually pollinated by insects, not wind, and is a top pollinator plant. Some species bloom in spring and are crucial for feeding bees early in the season. The golden-yellow plumes attract various pollinators, including butterflies and beetles. Goldenrod thrives in full sun and adapts to various soil types. It's deer-resistant and spreads by rhizomes, creating full, natural-looking patches.
23. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild geranium is a native woodland plant that blooms in spring with delicate purple-pink flowers. Its open blooms are easy for bees and small butterflies to access. Wild geranium thrives in part shade and moist, rich soil, making it ideal for woodland or shaded gardens. It forms attractive mounds of foliage that persist after blooming. The plant self-seeds gently, filling in naturalistic areas with minimal effort.
24. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers that are adored by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its fragrant foliage smells like licorice and can be used in teas or as a garnish. It blooms from spring into summer and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. The tall, upright form makes it a striking addition to flower beds. Once established, anise hyssop is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
25. Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Verbena is a sprawling, low-growing plant with clusters of small, bright flowers that bloom continuously in spring. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is excellent for borders and containers. Butterflies and bees are drawn to its rich nectar and long bloom time. Verbena can handle heat and light drought, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardening.
Create a Buzz-Worthy Garden
With these varieties, your spring garden can become a vital pollinator stop. Mix colors, heights, and bloom times to support wildlife all season. A thriving garden is one that hums with life. Choose native plants whenever possible to better support local ecosystems. Make sure to include flowers that bloom from early to late spring. The more diverse your garden, the more helpful it is to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Pollinators will reward you with a vibrant, living landscape.