10 flowers to attract bees and butterflies
Design, Jessica Wellman.
You may have heard that bee and some butterfly populations, particularly monarchs, are declining around the world. This affects us all because fruit, vegetables, nuts — and even coffee and coco — need to be pollinated. Habitat loss and pesticide use have been blamed for the decrease of pollinators. Planting a garden with lots of native species and other pollen-rich flowers is a good way to support bees and butterflies. Here's ten ways to get started:
10 flowers to attract bees and butterflies
Mint
This perennial is a favourite among bees. Try the Mountain Mint variety, which won't take over your garden and makes a delicious tea. Hardy zones: 4–6.
Foxglove
This biennial lives for two years and can self-seed. Its beautiful tubular flowers are highly attractive to bees and look like they could house fairies! Hardy zones: 4–9.
Pincushion flower
This ruffly perennial is great for bouquets and beloved by butterflies. Hardy zones: 2–9.
Butterfly weed
Butterflies love the nectar of this flower and use it as a host to lay eggs. Hardy zones: 2–9.
Purple coneflower
Try planting Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) or E. Pallida (pale purple coneflower). Look for native coneflower varieties because they're the most favourable to bees and butterflies. Hardy zones: 3-9.
Sunflowers
Sumflowers provide a great source of nectar and pollen, and their height is a beacon to bees. Bonus: they're easy to grow from seed in the spring or summer. Be sure to avoid the varieties that are pollen-free.
Cosmos
Look for the single varieties of cosmos rather than the new doubles (these have multiple rows of petals) to make the centres easier for pollinators to access. Cosmos can be grown from seed and in many cases will re-seed to give you flowers year after year.
Dill
Swallowtail butterflies will use dill plants as a host for laying eggs. Bonus: it's delicious.
Phlox
These old-fashioned looking flowers are prettily scented and sit on tall stems that attract butterflies. Hardy zones: 3–8.
Common milkweed
This flower is indispensable for Monarchs to lay eggs on and to provide food for hatched larvae. Common milkweed can spread quickly, so it's best planted in a meadow or large space. Hardy zones: 4-9.
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