10 Plants That Attract Pollinators to Your Garden for a Buzzing Backyard Oasis

bee in a flower

Attracting pollinators to your garden is a simple way to support local ecosystems and boost your plants’ health. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators play a crucial role in helping flowers and crops grow.

Choosing the right plants can make your garden a favorite stop for these important visitors. When you include pollinator-friendly plants, you create a vibrant space full of life and activity.

Lavender

lavander
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You’ll find lavender is a favorite for many pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its bright violet flowers are easy for them to spot.

Lavender also has a sweet fragrance that helps attract these helpful insects to your garden. Adding it can boost pollination naturally.

Planting lavender not only supports pollinators but also adds lovely color and scent to your outdoor space. Learn more about its benefits here.

Bee Balm (Monarda)

bee balm
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Bee Balm is a colorful plant that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. Its red, tubular flowers bloom from May to October, offering a long season of color and interest.

You can grow it in full sun to part shade with rich, moist, acidic soil. It’s also moderately deer tolerant, making it a great choice for many gardens.

Learn more about planting bee balm for pollinators here.

Basil

basil
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You’ll find basil is a great addition to your garden if you want to attract pollinators. Its small flowers are especially appealing to bees and butterflies.

Letting your basil plants bloom naturally can help bring more pollinators to your space. Plus, you get the bonus of fresh leaves for your kitchen.

Trying different varieties, like Thai basil, can also add unique scents that pollinators enjoy while enhancing your garden’s diversity. For more ideas, check out plants that attract bees and butterflies.

Borage

borage
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Borage is a fast-growing herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers. It attracts many pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

If you plant borage in your garden, it can help boost pollination for your vegetables and fruits. It also provides nectar and pollen, making it a favorite for many beneficial insects. You can learn more about borage’s benefits here.

Allium

allium
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You’ll find Allium flowers easy to spot with their globe-shaped clusters. They attract a variety of pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Planting Allium in your garden adds vibrant color and helps support local pollinators. These flowers are related to onions and garlic but bloom beautifully for pollinators to visit.

For more about Allium and its appeal to pollinators, see this detailed guide on essential pollinator plants.

Anise Hyssop

anise
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You’ll love planting Anise Hyssop if you want to attract bees and butterflies. Its purple flowers have a sweet, licorice scent that pollinators find hard to resist.

This herb grows well in full sun or part shade, making it easy to add to your garden. It’s a sturdy plant that supports a variety of native bees according to Thrive Lot.

Aster

aster
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You’ll love adding asters to your garden if you want to support pollinators late in the season. These lovely pink or lavender flowers bloom from late summer to early fall.

Asters attract butterflies and bees by providing important nectar when many other plants have stopped blooming. They work well to keep your garden lively and buzzing during those cooler months.

Learn more about how asters help pollinators at The Home Depot.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums
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If you want to attract pollinators, nasturtiums are a great choice for your garden. They have bright, colorful flowers that bees and butterflies love.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow and need little care, making them perfect for beginners. Plant them near melons like watermelon or cantaloupe to help boost pollination and fruit production.

You’ll also enjoy their sweet nectar, which draws more bees and other helpful insects to your outdoor space. For more details, see nasturtium companions for pollinators.

Phlox

phlox
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Phlox is a great choice if you want to invite pollinators to your garden. Its soft lavender-blue flowers bloom in late spring, covering the plant with color and attracting bees and butterflies. You’ll appreciate how it brightens your space while supporting your local pollinators. Learn more about the benefits of phlox for pollinators here.

Mint

mint
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You can’t go wrong with mint if you want to attract pollinators. Its small, nectar-rich flowers draw in bees and butterflies easily.

Mint is also great because it spreads quickly, so it adds color and life to your garden without much effort. Consider planting varieties like bee balm or mountain mint to boost your garden’s appeal to pollinators.

Learn more about plants like these that attract pollinators here.

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