5 Charming Flowers That Bring Pollinators to Your Cottage Garden
Get Inspired Week 134
“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.” — Elizabeth Lawrence
When I meet with clients, one of the requests I hear over and over again is, “I want flowers that attract pollinators.”
And it is easy to see why. Having pollinators in the garden makes everything feel so alive. If you have ever seen a hummingbird come to a flower, there is nothing like it. Not only is it magical to watch bees and butterflies flutter around, it is also good for the environment.
Here are my top pollinator flowers that I love to use in Inspired Garden designs. Not only are they full of charm, they are low-maintenance and will attract all sorts of creatures and bring that extra touch of life and wonder to your space.
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Coneflower
Coneflowers are one of my go-to flowers to use in the garden. They are low-maintenance, reliable, and give you that classic cottage style that works with so many different planting designs.
What I love most is that they are prolific bloomers and pollinators absolutely love them. Bees and butterflies are always stopping by, and even after the flowers fade, the seed heads still add interest out in the garden, especially for birds in the winter.
If you are planting coneflowers for pollinators, stick with single blooms over double ones. The more natural, open flowers are much easier for pollinators to use.
Agastache
Agastache is one of my favorite flowers to use when I want height, softness, and that dreamy, airy feeling. It has an extremely long bloom time and can handle those high temperatures in the heat of summer.
What I love most is how many pollinators it brings in. The flowers are always buzzing with bees, butterflies, and even the occasional hummingbird, which makes this plant feel extra special.
Agastache is happiest in full sun with well-drained soil. Once it is settled in, it is low-maintenance and can handle periods of drought.
Do you want to learn more about more of my favorite summer perennials? Checkout our Substack: Summer Perennial Love: My Top 5 Favorites!
Beebalm
Bee balm is one of those flowers you can count on when you want to make a bold statement. It adds such a fun pop of color in the garden and really shows off when it is in bloom.
What I love most is how much of a workhorse it is for bringing in pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are all really drawn to it, so it always feels busy and full of life when the flowers are open.
Bee balm does best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. It can spread over time, so just keep an eye on it and pull out the volunteers so it does not take over more space than you want.
Salvia
Salvia is one of my favorite flowers when I want that striking vertical element in the garden. It holds up well in the heat and looks so beautiful planted along the border, as it can define the space and soften the edges.
What I love most is how strong it is for pollinators. The spikes are constantly visited by bees and butterflies.
Salvia does best in full sun with well-drained soil, since it really does not like to keep its roots wet for long. Once it is established, it is easy to care for, which makes it a great choice if you want pollinators without a lot of extra work.
Do you want that dreamy cottage vibe in your garden? Checkout our Substack: Six Easy Ways to Get That Dreamy Cottage Garden Vibe.
Zinnia
Zinnias bring so much bright, cheerful color to the summer garden and are especially perfect for filling in the gaps between the perennials.
One of my favorite things about zinnias is how much the pollinators enjoy them. Butterflies are especially drawn to them, and you will often see bees visiting the blooms as well.
Zinnias do best in full sun and appreciate well-drained soil. They are annuals, but they bloom prolifically all season, which makes them an excellent choice if you want lots of color and plenty of pollinator activity in one easy plant.
Do you want to learn more about zinnias? Read our Substack: Sparkle & Bloom: The Zinnias of Summer
I hope this inspires you to see the excitement of planting with pollinators in mind. Even adding a few of these flowers into your existing gardens can make a big difference.
Start small, notice what the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to, and build from there. Over time, you will end up with a garden that not only feels dreamy and is full of activity but is also beneficial to the environment.
There is something so special about stepping into the garden and seeing these almost mystical little beings come to visit. It will make your heart sing every single time.
Keep on dreaming,
Laura
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