Perennials Pollinators Love!
Pollinator Week annually in late June is one of our favorite times of the gardening season. It's a chance to celebrate the hardworking bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators that help our gardens thrive and a reminder that even small planting choices can make a big impact.
Pollinators play a vital role in healthy ecosystems, beautiful landscapes, and even the food on our tables. In fact, more than 75% of flowering plants and approximately 35% of the world's food crops rely on pollinators to reproduce. Without them, our gardens would be less colorful, our harvests less abundant, and our natural spaces far less vibrant.
The good news? Supporting pollinators can be as simple as planting a few perennial favorites.
Why Pollinators Matter
Pollinators do far more than buzz around the garden. They:
- Help flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow
- Support healthy ecosystems and wildlife
- Play a critical role in many of the foods we eat
- Keep gardens colorful and thriving
- Help plants reproduce by spreading pollen
Every pollinator-friendly plant you add to your landscape helps create a healthier environment for generations to come.
Why Choose Perennials?
Perennials are one of the best investments you can make for pollinators. Unlike annuals, they return year after year, often growing larger and more productive with each season.
Benefits of pollinator-friendly perennials include:
- Long-lasting blooms
- Reliable food sources for pollinators
- Reduced maintenance over time
- Strong root systems that support soil health
- Beautiful structure and color throughout the growing season
By incorporating a variety of perennials into your landscape, you can provide nectar and pollen from spring through fall.
Perennials Pollinators Love
🌿Coneflower (Echinacea)
- A pollinator garden classic, coneflowers produce large, nectar-rich blooms from mid-summer into fall.
- Why pollinators love it: Bees and butterflies flock to the colorful flowers.
- Bonus: Leave the seed heads standing through winter and birds will thank you too.
🌿Bee Balm (Monarda)
- With vibrant blooms and a sweet fragrance, bee balm is a favorite among pollinators and gardeners alike.
- Why pollinators love it: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Bonus: Deer tend to leave it alone, and it adds fantastic color to the garden.
🌿Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
- This cheerful perennial is easy to grow and incredibly rewarding.
- Why pollinators love it: Butterflies are frequent visitors.
- Bonus: Drought tolerant and low maintenance once established.
🌿Milkweed (Asclepias)
- One of the most important plants you can grow for pollinator conservation.
- Why pollinators love it: Essential host plant for monarch butterflies.
- Bonus: Beautiful clusters of blooms and a powerful way to support declining monarch populations.
🌿Russian Sage (Perovskia)
- A garden favorite for sunny locations, Russian sage delivers months of color.
- Why pollinators love it: Tiny purple flowers provide abundant nectar.
- Bonus: Silvery foliage adds texture and interest all season long.
🌿Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium)
- If you're looking for height and impact, Joe Pye Weed delivers.
- Why pollinators love it: Bees and butterflies gather on its large pink flower clusters.
- Bonus: Perfect for rain gardens and naturalized landscapes.
🌿Blazing Star (Liatris)
- With striking vertical blooms, Liatris creates drama in the garden while feeding pollinators.
- Why pollinators love it: Butterflies can't resist it.
- Bonus: Excellent cut flower and easy to grow in sunny locations.
How to Create a Pollinator Paradise
Want to make your garden even more inviting?
- Plant in Groups: Clusters of the same plant are easier for pollinators to spot and access.
- Provide Season-Long Blooms: Choose plants that flower at different times to provide nectar from spring through fall.
- Skip the Pesticides: Even products labeled "natural" can harm beneficial pollinators.
- Add a Water Source: A shallow dish filled with pebbles and water gives pollinators a safe place to drink and rest.
- Include Native Plants: Many native Wisconsin plants have evolved alongside local pollinators and provide excellent habitat and food sources.
Plant With Purpose
Every flower planted is an opportunity to make a difference.
Whether you're creating an entire pollinator garden or simply adding a few bee and butterfly favorites to your existing beds, your efforts help support healthier ecosystems, stronger food systems, and more beautiful landscapes.
At Down to Earth, we're stocked with pollinator-friendly perennials and native plants ready to go home with you this season. Our team would love to help you select the right plants for your space and create a garden that's both beautiful and beneficial.
Plant for pollinators. Plant for beauty. Plant for tomorrow.
Stop in now and during Pollinator Week and let's grow a better world together!