Often the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions pollinators is fuzzy little honeybees, legs loaded up with pollen so heavy they can barely fly. But honeybees are not the only pollinators in our world; there are over 4,000 species of bees in North America. Additionally, birds, moths, beetles, wasps, butterflies, bats, flies, and even some small mammals are pollinators, too. 

Almost all flowering plants on Earth need help with pollination. This assistance is most often provided by the critters we mentioned above. So when we think about adding plants to our gardens to help support pollinators, its a good idea to consider a variety of plants that are attractive to all sorts of pollinators, not just honeybees. This also adds many more plants to our pool of choices. 

The best plants for pollinators are ones that provide plenty of nectar. It’s a good practice to plant your garden so that something is always blooming from early spring until late fall. Not all plants are rich in nectar, particularly “designer” hybrid plants. So, if you hope to attract more birds, bees, and butterflies to your yard, choose from nectar-rich options like these pollinator-friendly plants!

Bleeding Heart is a classic garden favorite perennial that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Hibiscus is a hardy shrub that blooms all summer and into the fall, and is popular with bees, hummingbirds, and bats.

Reullia Purple Showers is drought tolerant and low-maintenance, and it’s also an excellent source of nectar for butterflies. Hummingbirds have also been known to visit from time to time.

Butterfly Bush is another widely-loved plant that is popular with, you guessed it, butterflies. This pretty shrub also attracts hummingbirds. 

Canna Lilies are strikingly beautiful and dramatic, and they attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Cape Honeysuckle Bush features exotic, brightly-colored blossoms. It works great as a groundcover and can be trained to climb a trellis. Cape Honeysuckle is popular with hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Dipladenia‘s dramatic trumpet-shaped flowers do well as a small bush, in a hanging basket, or climbing a trellis. Dipladenia attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Duranta Sapphire Showers feature lush green foliage and small but beautiful purple flowers. They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Firecracker Bush adds a uniquely elegant and refined texture to a garden. It is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and popular with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

Mandevilla‘s glossy foliage sets off vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers that are popular with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Mona Lavender Plectranthus blooms year-round in Florida and features dark purple stems with deep lavender blooms. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Passion Vine has exotic-looking blooms and grows well on a trellis or arbor. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. 

Thunbergia Vine is a fast-growing climber with deep green foliage and beautiful trumpet-shaped blossoms. It attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Pollinators are underappreciated little critters! We may think of birds and butterflies as eye-candy, but we actually have them to thank for all the food we eat and the natural ecosystems we rely on. Add a few of these pollinator-friendly plants to your yard this year to help support the hard-working creatures in your neighborhood.