Are you ready to create a beautiful, thriving pollinator garden in Sonoma County? Whether you have a small space or a larger plot, the right plants can help you attract a variety of beneficial pollinators. Below, you’ll find a simple, segmented guide to pollinators and the specific plants they love. This guide will help you see who might be visiting your garden based on the plants you choose. Let’s dive in!
Pollinators in Northern California & the Plants They Love
Hummingbirds:
- Plants: Agastache (all varieties), Hot Lips Salvia, Indigo Spires Salvia, Red Flowering Gum, Butterfly Bush, California Fuschia
- Attracted By: Bright, tubular flowers with nectar
Native Bees (including bumblebees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees):
- Plants: Coyote Mint, Goldenrod, Anise Hyssop, Bee Balm, Blanket Flower, Catmint, Yarrow, Rudbeckia, California Buckwheat, Monkeyflower, Lavenders (all varieties), Salvia (Indigo Spires and Hot Lips)
- Attracted By: Nectar-rich flowers and aromatic blooms
Butterflies (including Monarchs and Painted Ladies):
- Plants: Butterfly Bush, Milkweed, Lantana, Blanket Flower, Purple Coneflower, Verbena, California Fuschia
- Attracted By: Colorful, nectar-filled flowers that provide energy for their journeys
Hoverflies (important lesser-known pollinators):
- Plants: Catmint, Yarrow, Anise Hyssop, Germander
- Attracted By: Small flowers with accessible nectar and pollen
Moths (nocturnal pollinators):
- Plants: Lavenders (all varieties), Butterfly Bush, Salvia, Agastache
- Attracted By: Light-colored, fragrant flowers that bloom in the evening or night
Native California Plants for Your Pollinator Garden:
- California Buckwheat
- Coyote Mint
- Western Goldenrod
- Monkeyflower (various colors)
Lavenders for Attracting Pollinators:
- English Lavenders: Folgate, Munstead, Royal Velvet, Betty’s Blue, Hidcote Blue, Royal Purple, Twickel Purple
- French Lavenders: Grosso, Gros Bleu, Hidcote Giant, Provence, Super
Pollinator-Friendly Ornamentals:
- Agastache (various varieties)
- Bee Balm
- Butterfly Bush
- Catmint
- Verbena
- Yarrow
- Salvia (Indigo Spires, Hot Lips)
By planting a mix of these flowers, shrubs, and trees, you can welcome hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, and more into your garden, fostering a healthy, balanced ecosystem while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Happy gardening!
P.S. Need help getting started? I’m here to guide you through creating a personalized pollinator garden plan. Can’t wait to see you at the nursery!
Bees N Blooms
3883 Petaluma Hill Road,
Santa Rosa, Ca, 95404
Fridays-Sundays, 10am-4pm through October 13th
