5 Hot Plants for Pollinators
Nice hot summertime weather gives us a great selection of plants to choose for our pollinator gardens. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and birds will flock to these summertime favorites (in no particular order)!
1. Asclepias (Butterfly Weed, Milkweed)
This plant is vital for Monarch Butterflies. Asclepias is the only plant that the Monarch butterfly utilizes in its larval stage so without this plant they can’t survive. It is also useful to other pollinators as a nectar source when in flower. Full sun, drought tolerant, native and deer resistant!
2. Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache is highly attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds! This great plant with scented foliage works well in herb gardens as well as mixed borders. Full sun, tolerant of drought conditions and deer resistant.
3. Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. It is very drought tolerant and handles summer heat well. Also wonderful for mixed borders, wildflower beds, cut flower gardens and herb gardens. Full sun, deer resistant and native.
4. Lantana
Lantana is a butterfly favorite but occasionally you will see hummingbirds enjoying it too. Lantana will provide color in the garden all summer long through fall. Sun, drought tolerant and deer resistant.
5. Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia provides nectar for butterflies, provides seeds for birds in winter and attracts hummingbirds. This low maintenance perennial works well in borders, wildflower gardens, containers and is a cut flower favorite. Full sun, long blooming, heat tolerant and tolerates clay soil.