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The Buzz on Pollinator Gardens

Grow a garden that bees, butterflies, and birds love.

What Are Pollinators?

Pollinators are nature's tiny matchmakers, buzzing around to help plants fall in love. These hardworking heroes include bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and even some beetles. Flitting from flower to flower, they spread pollen which helps plants produce the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we all enjoy. Without these busy little creatures, our plates would be a lot less colorful and our world a lot less vibrant. Want to learn more about pollinators? Check out this short video from our friends at Ortho.

Why Grow a Pollinator Garden?

By growing a pollinator garden, you can help support the health of these winged wonders, ensuring they can continue their job of pollinating plants. This means more beautiful flowers, bountiful harvests, and a thriving ecosystem. Plus, it’s entertaining to watch!

The Best Pollinator Plants

Mix these plants into your existing garden beds, raised beds, herb gardens, vegetable patches, or even containers—pollinator plants can squeeze in almost anywhere!

  • Annuals Flowers: Sunflower, Pansy, Violet, Marigold, Morning Glory
  • Perennial Flowers: Coral Bells, Milkweed, Bee Balm, Daisy, Helianthus
  • Flowering Herbs: Rosemary, Dill, Thyme, Lavender, Basil, Oregano, Mint, Fennel
  • Flowering Shrubs: Blueberry, Chokeberry, Butterfly Bush, Summersweet, Weigela
  • Trees: Horse Chestnut, Plum, Crabapple, Locust, Flowering Cherry, Maple

Looking to entice a specific pollinator to your garden? Just add a few of these flowers and watch these little creatures flutter in.

  • Flowers that attract butterflies: Butterfly bush, Zinnias, Lantana, Coneflower, and Butterfly weed
  • Flowers that attract hummingbirds: Cardinal flower, Penstemon, Agastache (aka: Hummingbird mint), Trumpet Honeysuckle, and Trumpet vine
  • Flowers that attract bees: Bee balm, Lavender, Sunflower, Borage, Joe-Pye weed, and Goldenrod

Let’s get started

Ready to plant and grow your first pollinator paradise? Follow these 6 tips that’ll set you up for success.

Tip 1: More is Better - The more variety of flowers and color you add to your garden, the more pollinators you’ll attract. Bees are more attracted to blue, yellow, white, and purple flowers; butterflies prefer red and blue blossoms while hummingbirds go for red tones.

Tip 2: Use the Right Soil - If you're planting in a raised bed, use Miracle-Gro® Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil, if you’re planting in containers use Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix for best results.

Tip 3: Continuous Food - Choose a variety of plants so that there are continuous blooms from spring to fall to supply pollinators with nectar through the seasons.

Tip 4: The Best Location - Pick a sunny, sheltered spot since many blooms need up to six hours of sunlight daily, and pollinators prefer areas with little wind.

Tip 5: Opt for Native Plants - Consult your local nursery for the best picks in your area.

Tip 6: Water Source - Add a bird bath or a decorative rock with crevices to collect rainwater and attract even more pollinators.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our tips on growing a pollinator garden. The only thing left to do is dig in — good luck and happy gardening!