Pollinator Garden Seeds

Choosing Seeds for a Pollinator Garden

A good pollinator garden earns its place in more ways than one. Flowers draw in bees and other pollinators that help cucumbers, squash, melons, and other flowering vegetables set fruit, while beneficial insects such as lady beetles, lacewings, hoverflies, and tiny parasitic wasps help keep aphids, caterpillars, and other pests in check.

Plant several of the same variety together rather than scattering one of everything. Larger patches are easier for pollinators to find, and they give the garden a fuller, more settled look.

Choose a mix of open-centered and tubular flowers, tall stems and low growers, annuals and perennials. Let a few herbs and vegetables flower where space allows, and leave some seed heads and hollow stems standing after the season ends. A little untidiness can still be doing useful work.

Continue Growing for Pollinators

Pollinator Garden Questions

Which flowers attract bees and butterflies?

Sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, calendula, borage, bee balm, echinacea, alyssum, rudbeckia, and many open-centered flowers are commonly visited. A mix of flower shapes and plant heights will serve a wider range of pollinators.

Should a pollinator garden include both annuals and perennials?

Yes. Annuals can provide quick color and nectar, while perennials return over time and create longer-lasting habitat. A mixture of both gives the garden more depth and usefulness.

Which herbs are good for pollinators?

Echinacea, sage, lavender, cilantro, basil, dill, oregano, thyme, chives, mint, and anise hyssop can provide nectar and pollen when allowed to bloom. Leave a few plants uncut so they can flower while continuing to harvest from the rest.