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It’s Pollinator Week (June 22-28) — and if you’ve been thinking about planting flowers that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, now’s your moment!

Here’s the thing about pollinators: they’re tiny workhorses that are absolutely essential to our food systems, our ecosystems, and the future of our planet. They pollinate one-third of the food we eat. They support 90% of wild flowering plants. Without them, the world as we know it simply doesn’t function.

And they need our help. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change have decimated pollinator populations. But you can make a real difference — right in your backyard, in containers on your patio, in a single garden bed.

The secret? Plant flowers that pollinators need. Not the ornamental landscaping plants that look good but offer zero food value. Real flowers with nectar, pollen, and habitat value.

Here are our top 15 flowers for Minnesota pollinators — native plants, perennials, and annuals that will make your garden a buzzing, thriving ecosystem.

MINNESOTA NATIVE PLANTS: The Foundation

Native plants are non-negotiable for pollinator support. They’ve co-evolved with native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators over thousands of years. They provide the right kind of nectar, pollen, and habitat that local insects need to survive.

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — Essential to Our Ecosystem

• Best for: Full sun, perennial beds, pollinator gardens, cut flowers
• Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and bees flock to the flat, landing-pad flowers. Goldfinches love the seeds in fall.

Purple coneflower produces tall stems topped with pink-purple blooms with distinctive orange-brown centers. It blooms mid-summer through fall, providing critical nectar when many other plants have stopped.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water during the first season to establish, then drought-tolerant. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Let seed heads go unpruned in fall for birds. Cut back in early spring. Coneflowers self-seed and naturalize over time.

2. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) — Essential to Our Ecosystem

Best for: Full sun, native gardens, butterfly gardens, essential for monarchs
Why pollinators love it: The ONLY host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars! Flowers also provide nectar for adult monarchs and other pollinators.

Milkweed comes in several Minnesota-native varieties: common milkweed (tall, spreads by seed), butterfly milkweed (compact, bright orange), and swamp milkweed (wetland-friendly). All are essential for monarchs.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water during establishment, then minimal care needed. Milkweed can spread aggressively (common milkweed especially), so plant where you want it. Don’t deadhead — let it produce seed pods. Monarchs rely on milkweed for survival; leave it standing to overwinter caterpillars.

3. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) — Native Alternative to Bee Balm

Best for: Full sun to part shade, native gardens, pollinator spaces
Why pollinators love it: Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees adore the tubular flowers. More disease-resistant than bee balm.

Wild bergamot produces shaggy purple-pink flower clusters on tall stems. It’s the native cousin of bee balm — equally attractive to pollinators but better adapted to Minnesota conditions.

Care:
Full sun to part shade (3-6 hours). Tolerates average to poor soil. Water during establishment, then drought-tolerant. Spread by rhizomes, so it can fill a space nicely but may need containment. Cut back in early spring. Blooms mid to late summer.

4. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) — Essential to Our Ecosystem

Best for: Full sun, dry areas, monarch habitat
Why pollinators love it: Another milkweed species — critical for monarch butterflies. Bright orange flowers attract all pollinators.

Butterfly weed is a compact, brilliant orange milkweed perfect for smaller spaces. Unlike common milkweed, it doesn’t spread aggressively, making it ideal for garden beds.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining, even poor soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Don’t fertilize — it prefers lean soil. Rarely needs deadheading. Cut back in fall. Plant where you want it to stay — it has a deep taproot and dislikes being moved.

5. Blazing Star (Liatris spp.) — Pollinator Magnet

Best for: Full sun, perennial beds, cut flower gardens, tall vertical interest
Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and bees swarm the fluffy flower spikes. Blooms when many other plants have faded.

Liatris produces tall, narrow spikes of purple or white flowers. They bloom late summer through fall, providing critical nectar for migrating monarchs and late-season pollinators.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water during establishment, then drought-tolerant. Don’t overwater — liatris prefers drier conditions. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Cut back in spring. Liatris blooms for 4-6 weeks and self-seeds readily.

BONUS: Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) — Essential to Our Ecosystem

Best for: Full sun, native prairie gardens, four-season interest
Why pollinators love it: Skipper butterflies depend on native grasses as host plants for caterpillars.

Prairie dropseed is a fine-textured native grass that turns golden-red in fall and produces delicate seed heads that persist through winter. It’s low-growing and doesn’t overtake flower gardens.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Minimal maintenance. Cut back to 3-4 inches in early spring. No fertilizer needed. Slow to establish (patience required first year), but incredibly long-lived.

PERENNIALS: Reliable Pollinators Plants

These perennials return year after year, providing consistent nectar and pollen sources for pollinator populations.

1. Sedum — Low-Maintenance Pollinator Plant

Best for: Full sun, containers, ground cover, low-water gardens
Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and bees love sedum’s late-summer flowers when many other plants have stopped blooming.

Sedum produces dense clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers in pink, red, yellow, or white. It blooms late summer through fall — critical timing for pollinators preparing for migration.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Excellent drainage essential. Water sparingly — sedum actually prefers dry conditions. No fertilizer. Leave standing for winter interest. Incredibly low-maintenance once established.

2. Allium — Ornamental Onion

Best for: Full sun, perennial beds, architectural interest
Why pollinators love it: Dense ball-shaped flower clusters attract bees and butterflies for weeks.

Allium produces spherical purple flower heads on tall stems. Blooms mid-summer. Deer and rabbits dislike it, making it a great choice for wildlife-prone areas.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water during establishment, then drought-tolerant. Don’t deadhead — let flowers dry for architectural interest, then deadhead in fall. No fertilizer needed. Plant in groups for visual impact. Alliums naturalize and spread slowly over time.

3. Astilbe — Shade Pollinator Plant

Best for: Part shade to full shade, moist soil, woodland gardens
Why pollinators love it: Feathery plume flowers attract bees and butterflies in shady areas where few other plants bloom.

Astilbe produces airy, feathery plumes in pink, red, white, or peach. Blooms early to mid-summer. Beautiful foliage remains attractive even after blooming.

Care:
Part shade to full shade (<3 hours). Consistently moist soil (but not waterlogged). Water regularly during dry spells. Leave for winter interest. Cut back in spring. Works beautifully along shaded borders and woodland edges.

4. Catmint (Nepeta) — Bee Favorite

Best for: Full sun to part shade, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens
Why pollinators love it: Bees absolutely love catmint. It’s part of the mint family and produces abundant nectar.

Catmint produces lavender-blue tubular flowers on airy stems. Blooms early summer through fall with deadheading. Incredibly reliable and long-flowering.

Care:
Full sun to part shade (3-6 hours). Well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Pinch back in early summer to encourage bushier growth. Cut back in spring. Bees love it so much they visit constantly.

5. Yarrow (Achillea) — Butterfly Magnet

Best for: Full sun, dry conditions, pollinator gardens, cut flowers
Why pollinators love it: Flat-topped flower clusters provide perfect landing pads for butterflies and bees.

Yarrow produces dense clusters of tiny flowers in pink, red, yellow, and white. Blooms early summer through fall. Incredibly tough and adaptable. Tends to be left alone by wildlife.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Don’t overwater. Deadhead to encourage more blooms. Pinch back in early summer for bushier plants. Cut back in spring. Yarrow spreads by rhizomes and can fill a space quickly.

ANNUALS: Quick Pollinator Hits

Annuals bloom prolifically and produce abundant nectar, making them perfect for supplementing perennials in containers or garden beds.

1. Zinnia — Fast-Growing Pollinator Plant

Best for: Full sun, containers, beds, easy-to-grow
Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and bees love the colorful blooms. Zinnias bloom non-stop from planting to frost.

Zinnias produce cheerful pompom or daisy-like flowers in every color imaginable. They’re reliable, prolific, and beginner-friendly!

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Feed every 1-2 weeks with balanced fertilizer. No special care needed — they’re incredibly forgiving.

2. Sunflower (Helianthus) — Iconic Pollinator Plant

Best for: Full sun, tall drama, seed production
Why pollinators love it: Bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Birds love the seeds in fall.

Sunflowers range from dwarf 2-footers to giants 8+ feet tall. They bloom mid to late summer with large, golden blooms.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water regularly but don’t overwater. Stake tall varieties for wind protection. Let them mature for seeds. No fertilizer needed. Plant seeds directly in soil or start indoors.

3. Verbena — Trailing Pollinator Plant

Best for: Full sun, containers, beds, trailing
Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and bees love the clustered flowers. Blooms continuously all summer.

Verbena produces small clustered flowers in pink, purple, red, white, or bi-colors. Trailing varieties spill beautifully from containers. Mounding types work in beds.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Drought-tolerant once established. Deadhead occasionally to encourage more blooms (though mostly self-cleaning). Feed every 1-2 weeks. No special care needed.

4. Lantana — Heat-Loving Pollinator Magnet

Best for: Full sun, hot dry spots, tropical feel
Why pollinators love it: Butterflies and hummingbirds can’t resist lantana. Multi-colored flower clusters bloom non-stop.

Lantana produces clustered flowers in vibrant combinations (orange/yellow, pink/yellow, red/orange). It thrives in heat and humidity.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Drought-tolerant once established. Deadhead occasionally (though mostly self-cleaning). Feed every 1-2 weeks. Incredibly low-maintenance and prolific bloomer.

5. Salvia — Hummingbird & Bee Plant

Best for: Full sun to part shade, cottage gardens, vertical interest
Why pollinators love it: Hummingbirds and bees flock to the tubular flowers. Continuous blooms all season.

Salvia produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in purple, blue, pink, or red. Blooms continuously from planting to frost.

Care:
Full sun to part shade (3-6 hours). Well-draining soil. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Feed every 1-2 weeks. Pinch back early in season for bushier growth. Easy, reliable bloomer.

BONUS: Herbs for Swallowtail Butterflies: Dill & Parsley

Best for: Full sun, kitchen gardens, herbal pollinator support
Why pollinators love it: Dill and parsley are essential host plants for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Plus, you get fresh herbs!

Dill and parsley produce delicate umbrella-shaped flower clusters (called umbels) that attract many pollinators. More importantly, swallowtail caterpillars feed exclusively on these plants.

Care:
Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water regularly. Don’t deadhead — let them flower for pollinators and caterpillars. Direct sow seeds in spring. Dill and parsley self-seed readily, returning year after year.

PRO TIP: Mix Annuals & Perennials in Containers

Here’s a secret: you don’t have to choose between annuals and perennials. Plant both together in containers for maximum pollinator appeal.

How it works:

• Plant perennials (sedum, catmint, yarrow) in a large container
• Fill gaps with annual flowers (zinnias, verbena, salvia)
• Annuals provide instant color while perennials establish
• In late fall, transplant perennials into the garden
• You get the best of both worlds: immediate impact + long-term value

Example container:

• Tall perennial (catmint) in back
• Annual zinnia and salvia for mid-height color
• Trailing verbena spilling over edges
• Sedum tucked in for texture

This approach gives you a pollinator paradise that blooms all season, and you’ve essentially created a perennial garden bed at the same time.

Plant for Pollinators

The most important thing you can do this Pollinator Week — and beyond — is plant flowers that pollinators truly need. Make sure your gardens and containers include real food sources for our local bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Native plants are the foundation. Perennials provide consistency. Annuals fill gaps. Together, they create a thriving ecosystem in our own backyards.

A garden that buzzes with life, fills with butterflies and hummingbirds, and supports the planet is our vision for the future of gardening. Together, we can make a brighter, more vibrant tomorrow. Our efforts multiply when we’re working in community!