Pollinators—bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even moths—are essential for a thriving garden. Without them, many fruits, vegetables, and flowers wouldn’t exist. While imported ornamentals look pretty, nothing matches the ecological value of native plants when it comes to feeding and supporting pollinators. Native species have co-evolved with local wildlife, making them resilient, low-maintenance, and highly beneficial. Here a 7 pollinator friendly native plants that you can add to your garden.
1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple coneflowers are one of the most recognizable native perennials, loved for their daisy-like blooms with bold purple petals and raised orange centres. They flower from mid-summer into fall, providing a steady food source for bees and butterflies.
Pollinators, especially bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies, flock to these blooms for nectar. Later in the season, goldfinches and other birds feast on the seed heads, adding year-round ecological value.
Coneflowers are hardy, drought-tolerant, and thrive in full sun. Once established, they require very little care—making them a favourite in both wildflower meadows and tidy urban gardens.
2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Cheerful and easy to grow, Black-eyed Susans brighten up garden beds with golden-yellow petals surrounding dark brown centres. They bloom from July through September, attracting honeybees, solitary bees, and butterflies.
As one of the most iconic prairie flowers, they are resilient in poor soils and tolerate drought once established. Their long bloom period ensures a reliable nectar source during the height of summer when pollinators are most active.
Plant them in clusters for the biggest impact—mass plantings not only look striking but also make it easier for pollinators to find them.
3. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot, also known as bee balm, is a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Its clusters of lavender-pink flowers appear in mid to late summer, offering abundant nectar at a time when many other perennials are winding down.
Beyond attracting pollinators, wild bergamot has fragrant foliage that resists deer browsing and can be used in teas. Its unique, frilly blooms add texture and charm to garden beds, especially when paired with grasses or coneflowers.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, though it adapts easily to a variety of conditions.
4. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is perhaps the most important native plant for monarch butterflies. It serves as both a nectar source and a host plant for monarch caterpillars, which rely exclusively on its leaves for food.
There are several varieties suitable for gardens, including common milkweed (A. syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and butterfly milkweed (A. tuberosa). Each offers clusters of small, fragrant flowers ranging from pink to orange.
Planting milkweed not only supports monarchs but also attracts bees and other butterflies. Choose a species suited to your soil type—for example, swamp milkweed prefers moist soil, while butterfly milkweed thrives in dry, sandy conditions.
5. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Despite its humble name, Joe-Pye weed is a pollinator powerhouse. This tall perennial produces clusters of mauve-pink flowers in mid to late summer, drawing in butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds.
Growing 4–6 feet tall, it makes a dramatic statement at the back of borders or in naturalized areas. It prefers moist soil and full to partial sun, making it a great choice for rain gardens.
Its long bloom time ensures nectar availability well into September, helping sustain pollinators during late summer when food sources become scarcer.
6. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod, often mistaken for causing allergies (it’s not—ragweed is the culprit), is one of the most valuable late-season nectar plants for pollinators. Its bright yellow plumes bloom from late summer through fall, feeding bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs.
Goldenrod is adaptable and hardy and thrives in poor soils where other plants struggle. It spreads readily, so it’s best for larger beds or naturalized spaces. For smaller gardens, choose clumping varieties like Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ to keep growth in check.
As a fall bloomer, goldenrod fills a critical gap in the pollinator food calendar.
7. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Wild columbine is one of the earliest bloomers in spring, offering nectar at a time when pollinators are just emerging. Its nodding, red-and-yellow flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds, while bees also visit frequently.
This native thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or under trees. Once established, it self-seeds readily, creating natural drifts of colour.
Beyond its pollinator benefits, wild columbine adds delicate beauty to the garden with its unique, spurred flowers and fern-like foliage.
By planting a variety of native species, you’ll provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season—from early spring columbine to late-blooming goldenrod. These seven plants are resilient, beautiful, and perfectly adapted to local conditions. More importantly, they create habitat for the pollinators we depend on for healthy gardens and ecosystems.
Whether you’re filling a small urban yard or building a larger pollinator garden, including native plants is one of the most impactful choices you can make.