Planting For And Identifying Pollinators
by Amanda
One of the most enjoyable aspects of planting a pollinator garden is being able to identify the different butterflies, bees and hummingbirds parading around in spring and summer. To help plan your pollinator garden, we've highlighted a few of our favorite wildflowers, perennials, and flower bulbs that attract pollinators. Plus, you can use these images to identify some of the more common bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visiting your garden.
1. Identifying Butterflies & Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Butterflies
2. Identifying Bees & Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Bees
3. Identifying Hummingbirds & Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Hummingbirds
Identifying Butterflies
1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. There are approximately 40 different Swallowtail species in North America and these colorful butterflies are named after the forked appearance of their hind wings.
2. Common Buckeye. This gorgeous butterfly is common throughout the United States, except the Northwest. It prefers open areas with low vegetation.
3. Black Swallowtail. There are approximately 40 different Swallowtail species in North America and these colorful butterflies are named after the forked appearance of their hind wings.
4. Monarch Butterfly. Perhaps one of the most easily identifiable butterflies, the Monarch loves milkweed and is known for its autumn migration from the United States to Mexico.5.
5. Gulf Fritillary. This lovely orange butterfly can be seen in gardens in warmer areas, but can venture up North occasionally.
6. American Painted Lady. Also known as American Lady, this colorful butterfly can be found throughout North America.
The Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden
Wildflowers To Attract Butterflies
Perennial Plants To Attract Butterflies
![Gaillardia Goblin, Blanket Flower]()
'Goblin' Gaillardia has daisy-like blooms with scarlet petals and fringed yellow tips. Very resistant to heat, humidity, and drought, 'Goblin' blooms all summer delivering continuous...
Learn MoreGoblin Gaillardia Goblin Blanket Flower Gaillardia Goblin$13.98 Sale $6.99Per Plant - 3" Pot'Goblin' Gaillardia has daisy-like blooms with scarlet petals and fringed yellow tips. Very resistant to heat, humidity, and drought, 'Goblin' blooms all summer delivering continuous, vibrant color. Highly attractive to pollinators. (Gaillardia)Learn More![Grandmother's Pre-Planned Garden]()
The Grandmother’s Garden awakens a sense of nostalgia, mixing old-fashioned favorites with rugged new cultivars. These tried-and true beauties offer plenty of cuttings to fill vase...
Learn MoreGrandmother's Pre-Planned GardenThe Grandmother’s Garden awakens a sense of nostalgia, mixing old-fashioned favorites with rugged new cultivars. These tried-and true beauties offer plenty of cuttings to fill vases and bouquets, while a delightful fragrance elicits memories of happy childhood days. Carry on the gardening tradition with vintage, season-long blooms.Learn More
Spring Flower Bulbs To Attract Butterflies
![Crocosmia Emily Mckenzie]()
'Emily McKenzie' Crocosmia is a versatile, showy plant that boasts unique, bi-color blooms in fiery shades of red and orange. A low-fuss bloomer after its been established, this capt...
Learn MoreEmily Mckenzie Crocosmia Emily Mckenzie Montbretia, Sword Lily Crocosmia crocosmiiflora Emily Mckenzie$14.98 Sale $7.49Per Bag of 10'Emily McKenzie' Crocosmia is a versatile, showy plant that boasts unique, bi-color blooms in fiery shades of red and orange. A low-fuss bloomer after its been established, this captivating beauty thrives in full sun to partial shade and is deer resistant. (Crocosmia)Learn More![Pink Dinner Plate Dahlia Otto's Thrill]()
'Otto's Thrill' can light up a whole garden with its clear, cotton candy pink flowers that unfurl to reveal perfect dahlia form. These dinner plate-sized flowers arrive on sturdy, fa...
Learn MoreOtto's Thrill Dinner Plate Dahlia Otto's Thrill Dinner Plate Dahlia Dinner Plate Dahlia Otto's Thrill$25.98 Sale $12.99Per Bag of 3'Otto's Thrill' can light up a whole garden with its clear, cotton candy pink flowers that unfurl to reveal perfect dahlia form. These dinner plate-sized flowers arrive on sturdy, fast-growing stalks and bloom from mid-summer until frost. Deer resistant. (Dahlia)Learn More![Ice Crystal Fimbriata Dahlia, Dahlia Fimbriata Ice Crystal, White Blooms]()
Sophisticated and exciting, ‘Ice Crystal’ Fimbriata Dahlia brings elegance to the garden in summer and fall, sporting pale buttery yellow centers and delicate, pure white, fringe...
Learn MoreIce Crystal Fimbriata Dahlia Ice Crystal Fimbriata Dahlia Dahlia Fimbriata Ice Crystal$26.98 Sale $13.49Per Bag of 3Sophisticated and exciting, ‘Ice Crystal’ Fimbriata Dahlia brings elegance to the garden in summer and fall, sporting pale buttery yellow centers and delicate, pure white, fringed petals. “Ice Crystal” will provide contrast in colorful beds, or continue a white theme in sunny gardens, with blooms all summer to first frost. Stylish 6-inch blooms attract pollinators and make great cut flowers. (Dahlia)Learn More![Belle of Barmera Dinnerplate Dahlia]()
Belle of Barmera Dinner Plate Dahlia is a pink, punchy and truly eye-catching, dinner plate dahlia with a hint of salmon on strong double blooms. A very decorative mid-size dahlia t...
Learn MoreBelle of Barmera Dinner Plate Dahlia Belle of Barmera Dinner Plate Dahlia Dinner Plate Dahlia Belle of Barmera$27.98 Sale $13.99Per Bag of 3Belle of Barmera Dinner Plate Dahlia is a pink, punchy and truly eye-catching, dinner plate dahlia with a hint of salmon on strong double blooms. A very decorative mid-size dahlia that works well in a sunny border in well-draining moisture-retentive soil. Grow as a cut flower for dramatic mid-summer bouquets. (Dahlia)Learn More
Identifying Bees
- Western Honey Bee. There are approximately 40 species of Honey Bees. The Western Honey Bee (or European Honey Bee) is the most common species.
- Bumble Bee. The Bumble Bee is found mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and there are over 250 species. The soft hair that makes these bees so easily distinguishable (and fuzzy) is called pile.
The Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Bees To Your Garden
Wildflowers To Attract Bees
Perennial Plants To Attract Bees
![Gaillardia Goblin, Blanket Flower]()
'Goblin' Gaillardia has daisy-like blooms with scarlet petals and fringed yellow tips. Very resistant to heat, humidity, and drought, 'Goblin' blooms all summer delivering continuous...
Learn MoreGoblin Gaillardia Goblin Blanket Flower Gaillardia Goblin$13.98 Sale $6.99Per Plant - 3" Pot'Goblin' Gaillardia has daisy-like blooms with scarlet petals and fringed yellow tips. Very resistant to heat, humidity, and drought, 'Goblin' blooms all summer delivering continuous, vibrant color. Highly attractive to pollinators. (Gaillardia)Learn More![Grandmother's Pre-Planned Garden]()
The Grandmother’s Garden awakens a sense of nostalgia, mixing old-fashioned favorites with rugged new cultivars. These tried-and true beauties offer plenty of cuttings to fill vase...
Learn MoreGrandmother's Pre-Planned GardenThe Grandmother’s Garden awakens a sense of nostalgia, mixing old-fashioned favorites with rugged new cultivars. These tried-and true beauties offer plenty of cuttings to fill vases and bouquets, while a delightful fragrance elicits memories of happy childhood days. Carry on the gardening tradition with vintage, season-long blooms.Learn More
Identifying Hummingbirds
1. Broad-Tailed Hummingbird. This small Hummingbird is extremely adaptable and can be found in a range of habitats. The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird migrates to Mexico for the winter.
2. Black-Chinned Hummingbird. This gorgeous butterfly is common throughout the United States, except the Northwest. It prefers open areas with low vegetation.
3. Rufous Hummingbird. This delightfully colorful Hummingbird is a smaller species and is known to nest in Northern areas all the way up in to Alaska, often staying on the West Coast of the country.
4. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. A woodland dweller often found in forests, this Hummingbird is very territorial and makes its way to Mexico for the winter.
The Best Flower Varieties For Attracting Hummingbirds To Your Garden
Wildflowers To Attract Hummingbirds
Perennial Plants To Attract Hummingbirds
Whether you're planting in containers on a balcony or have a lot of land to work with, there are endless options to help our disappearing pollinator population through gardening.