06/03/2026
Some of my favorite plants in the garden aren't necessarily the showiest ones. They're the ones covered in bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects all summer long!🍃🐝
• Yarrow🌸
Yarrow is one of the hardest-working plants in my garden. The flat flower clusters are like little landing pads for hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, and tiny parasitic wasps. It's also tough as nails, drought tolerant, and blooms for a long time.
• Snapdragons🪻
I love snapdragons, and apparently the bumblebees do too! Bumblebees are strong enough to pry open the "dragon's mouth" to get to the nectar inside. If you've never watched a bumblebee force its way into a snapdragon flower, you're missing out. 😂
• Red Valerian❤️
This plant is always buzzing with activity around here. Butterflies love it, bees love it, and it blooms for what feels like forever. It also doesn't seem to care much about poor soil or dry weather.
• Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)🌸
This one is a pollinator favorite. Every time I walk by, there's something visiting the flowers. Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, you name it. Plus, it keeps blooming for months with very little fuss.
One thing I've learned is that attracting beneficial insects isn't about having one "magic" plant. It's about having lots of different flowers blooming throughout the season. The more variety you plant, the more life your garden will have.
The bees usually get all the credit, but some of my favorite garden helpers are hoverflies, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, ladybugs, and tiny parasitic wasps that most people never even notice.
What's a plant in your garden that's always covered in pollinators?🪻🐝