Planting perennials that attract pollinators has been becoming one of the most popular planting projects we see. Pollinator friendly plants are quite numerous; it is just a matter of planting perennials so blooming is happening throughout the growing season.
When helping customers, we often suggest planting perennials for spring, summer and fall color. The reason for successive blooming plantings is of course for your own enjoyment, but by keeping flowers blooming throughout the entire season allows pollinators to visit your garden repeatedly. Depending on the size of your garden, try to have multiple plants of a couple of varieties that flower during each season.
Spring
Dianthus – These colorful blooming plants have long blooming seasons. Firewitch is a very reliable variety often blooming in the fall. Deadheading Dianthus will keep blooming for a longer time period.
Columbine – This is great in partial sun locations, the large bright flowers attract not only bees and butterflies but also may attract hummingbirds if they are blooming during their migration.
Armeria – The growth of Armeria is very similar to Dianthus, with bright pink flowers forming a ball atop a short stem.
Early Summer
Salvia – Salvia is one of the most popular pollinator friendly blooming perennials. Bloom colors range in purple, pink and white shades, with deadheading you can encourage repeat blooms.
False Indigo – A unique blooming perennial with traditional blooms of blue/purple, but new cultivars bloom in yellow and pink shades. The plant creates a bush like plant, however the bloom time is short.
Peony – This traditional perennial is loved by pollinators and makes a great statement piece in the landscape and on a vase in your home!
Mid-Late Summer
Garden Phlox – This is a favorite perennial of ours. These bright purple, pink or white flowers are always covered with pollinators, and will continue to bloom for several weeks- sometimes months.
Echinacea – Typically thought of as the traditional purple coneflower, new cultivars bloom in pink, yellow, orange and red colors. Blooms will stick around well into fall. Cut dry blooms and put them in the ground near the plant to keep the plant reseeding itself.
Allium – Recently this perennial has become extremely popular for good reason. This extremely tough perennial is a reliable plant to overwinter, and blooms heavily. They become covered in pollinators at blooming.
Gaillardia – The bright colors of Gaillardia are eye catching to both the gardener and the pollinator. Deadhead this flowering perennial to keep pollinators coming!
Fall
Asters – This large shrub like perennial creates a mass of long-lasting color in the fall. The purple and pink hues are very attractive to many types of pollinators.
Sedum – This versatile and popular perennial blooms all through fall. Blooms are typically a shade of pink, purple or salmon. Summer blooming varieties will create ground covers blooming in yellow or pink shades.
Mums – The traditional fall flower. The mum blooms in pink, white, yellow, bronze, red and purple shades. The versatility of this flower can have plants that are either annual or perennial.
