Pollinator Plant Growing Guide: Plants for Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds

Pollinator plants provide nectar, pollen, shelter, and habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and beneficial insects. These flowers and flowering plants are essential for supporting pollinator populations while also adding beautiful color and movement to gardens.

A well-planned pollinator garden can provide blooms from spring through fall and help support local ecosystems while creating a lively and colorful landscape.

Why Grow Pollinator Plants?

Pollinator-friendly gardens provide many benefits:

• Support bees and beneficial insects
• Attract butterflies and hummingbirds
• Improve pollination of fruits and vegetables
• Create colorful flower displays
• Encourage biodiversity
• Provide long bloom seasons
• Reduce reliance on sterile landscapes

Quick Pollinator Growing Facts

• Plant types: Annuals, perennials, herbs, vines, shrubs, and wildflowers
• Sunlight: Most pollinator plants prefer full sun
• Soil: Well-drained fertile soil
• Watering: Moderate during establishment
• Bloom season: Spring through fall depending on species
• Best uses: Pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, borders, and cottage gardens

Plants for Bees

Bees are especially attracted to nectar-rich flowers in shades of:

• Blue
• Purple
• White
• Yellow

Many herbs and wildflowers are excellent bee plants.

Plants for Butterflies

Butterflies prefer brightly colored nectar flowers with landing platforms. Butterfly gardens often include both nectar plants and host plants for caterpillars.

Plants for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are strongly attracted to tubular flowers, especially in shades of:

• Red
• Orange
• Pink
• Coral

Many hummingbird flowers bloom heavily during summer heat.

How to Start Pollinator Plants from Seed

Many pollinator plants are easy to grow from seed and may be direct sown outdoors or started indoors before the last frost date depending on species.

Most pollinator plants benefit from:

• Full sun
• Good airflow
• Moderate fertility
• Consistent moisture during establishment

Creating a Pollinator Garden

Successful pollinator gardens usually include:

• Continuous blooming flowers
• Multiple flower colors and shapes
• Native and heirloom flowers
• Clumps of similar plants
• Shallow water sources
• Reduced pesticide use

Watering Pollinator Plants

Water regularly during establishment. Once mature, many pollinator plants become fairly drought tolerant, especially prairie wildflowers and native species.

Avoiding Pesticides

Reducing or avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides is extremely important for protecting:

• Honeybees
• Native bees
• Butterflies
• Beneficial insects
• Hummingbirds

Continuous Bloom Planning

Planting flowers with different bloom periods helps provide nectar throughout the growing season. A mix of spring, summer, and fall bloomers supports pollinators much longer.

Pollinator Garden Benefits

• Increased garden activity and wildlife
• Improved vegetable pollination
• Natural beauty and movement
• Butterfly and hummingbird viewing
• Ecological support for beneficial insects

Common Pollinator Garden Problems

• Poor flowering: Often caused by insufficient sunlight.
• Weak pollinator activity: Too few flowering species or pesticide use.
• Overcrowding: Reduces airflow and bloom production.
• Short bloom season: Lack of succession flowering plants.

Landscape Uses for Pollinator Plants

• Wildflower meadows
• Cottage gardens
• Prairie gardens
• Butterfly gardens
• Hummingbird gardens
• Herb gardens
• Naturalized landscapes

Pollinator Plant Variety Index

Explore Seedman's pollinator-friendly seed collection including nectar flowers, native wildflowers, hummingbird plants, butterfly flowers, and bee-friendly ornamentals.

• Agastache Pink Pop
• Bee Balm
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Blanket Flower
• Borage
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Cleome
• Columbine
• Coneflower
• Coreopsis
• Cosmos
• Delphinium
• Echinacea
• Gaillardia
• Morning Glory
• Nasturtium
• Sunflower

Shop Pollinator Plant Seeds

Shop All Pollinator Plant Seeds at Seedman.com

Pollinator Garden Growing Summary

To create a successful pollinator garden, grow a wide variety of nectar-rich flowers, provide full sun, minimize pesticide use, and plan for continuous blooming throughout the season. Pollinator gardens reward gardeners with butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, colorful flowers, and a thriving living landscape.