bee balm, wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Violet blossoms with aromatic foliage. A familiar sight on the prairie. Native to most of … Continued
Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are well-known pollinators, but there are thousands of unsung pollinator heroes, including moths, wasps, flies, and beetles, many mammals, birds, and reptiles, who also take on the job.
Pollinators move from plant to plant, fueling up with pollen and nectar from blooming trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, and herbs. As they move, the pollinators transport and deposit pollen, fertilizing plants and allowing them to reproduce.
Pollinator plants can be native and non-native, but not all flowering plants are equal when it comes to providing the highest quality protein-rich pollen. Many hybrids don’t even produce pollen at all. The following list includes pollen-rich plants to include in your garden to provide pollinators with food.
Local butterfly expert Lenora Larson has created these informational handouts. You can download them here!
• Butterflies: Flying Flowers in your Garden!
• A Vital Connection: Native Plants and Butterflies
• Long Lips Farm Caterpillar Foodplants
• Butterfly Bartending: Nectar Flowers
• Long Lips Farm: Selected Butterfly Nectar Flowers
• Bee Friendly: Plants for Bees and Other Pollinators
Since 1970 the population of North American birds has dropped nearly 30% — almost three billion birds have vanished from our forests, grasslands, and backyards in less than a human lifetime. It’s a chilling fact that makes it clear that we must act as individuals to help ensure their survival.
Most importantly, ninety-six percent of all terrestrial bird species rear their young on insects so it is also important to grow plants that feed insects to provide a well-rounded habitat in your garden.
Monarda fistulosa
Violet blossoms with aromatic foliage. A familiar sight on the prairie. Native to most of … Continued
Morus rubra
A medium sized, upright spreading to rounded, deciduous tree native to woodlands, bottomlands and woodland … Continued
Tropaeolum
Nasturtiums are easy to grow and may be climbing, cascading or bushy. A popular edible, … Continued
Nepeta species
Perennial Plant Association 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year! faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ grows up to … Continued
Nepeta cataria
A vigorous-growing mint with a wacky effect on cats. Dry some catnip for homemade cat … Continued
Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas'
2021 Proven Winners National Perennial of the Year A smaller-scale catmint that also blooms 2-3 … Continued
Nicotiana alata
‘Saratoga’ mix is a 12-16″ tall flowering tobacco with gorgeous 2″ blooms of apricot, lime … Continued
Oenothera {Gaura} lindheimeri 'Rose'
A dwarf selection with gorgeous bicolor flowers with deep rose-pink at the tips and pure … Continued
Oenothera macrocarpa
Large, deep yellow flowers cover this sprawling native over glossy green leaves from late spring … Continued
Nicotiana sylvestris
Tall, old-fasioned nicotiana features 3-4′ tall stalks topped with many trumpet-shaped, fragrant white blooms throughout summer. … Continued
Opuntia macrorhiza
Low mats of spiny pads which can colonize large beds over time. Showy flowers are … Continued
Origanum vulgare 'Hot & Spicy'
A hardy and flavorful Greek oregano. This cultivar is best used dried, which reportedly deepens … Continued