Transform a Thriving Habitat for Pollinators With These 6 Indigenous Flowering Shrubs
In an effort to support local biodiversity and create resilient ecosystems, consider planting native flowering shrubs that offer abundant nectar and pollen, bloom in succession, and attract a wide range of native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Here are some recommendations:
Recommended Native Flowering Shrubs for Pollinators
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
A popular native shrub-like perennial, Purple Coneflower is loved by bees and butterflies. It blooms mid to late summer with vibrant pinkish-purple daisy-like flowers.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, Bee Balm prefers moist, well-drained soil and blooms in mid to late summer with striking red, pink, or purple flowers.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Blooming in fall, New England Aster provides late-season nectar and grows best in full sun and moist to medium well-drained soil.
Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Attracting hummingbirds and the columbine duskywing butterfly, Red Columbine offers early-season flowers and prefers partial shade and well-draining soil.
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
An early nectar source for native bees, Foxglove Beardtongue grows best in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
A tall native shrub, Joe-Pye Weed is excellent for late summer to fall blooms with large mauve flower clusters. It prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade.
Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
While technically more of a herbaceous plant, Lacy Phacelia is a favourite pollinator attractant with lavender-blue flowers and thrives in full sun. It's also drought tolerant and reseeds readily.
Growing Requirements Summary
| Shrub / Plant | Sunlight | Soil Type & Moisture | Bloom Season | Height | |------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------|--------------| | Purple Coneflower | Full sun | Well-drained, average moisture | Mid to late summer | 2-4 ft | | Bee Balm | Full sun to partial shade| Moist, well-drained | Summer | 2-4 ft | | New England Aster | Full sun | Moist to medium well-drained | Fall | 3-6 ft | | Red Columbine | Partial shade | Well-drained | Early spring | 1-2 ft | | Foxglove Beardtongue | Full sun to light shade | Well-drained | Late spring to early summer | 2-3 ft | | Joe-Pye Weed | Full sun to partial shade| Moist soil | Mid to late summer | 3-7 ft | | Lacy Phacelia | Full sun | Well-drained, adaptable | Spring to summer | 2-4 ft |
Additional Tips
- Plant these shrubs in clusters of three or more to maximize visibility and attractiveness to pollinators.
- Aim for bloom succession, selecting plants that flower from early spring through fall to provide continuous nectar and pollen sources.
- Water newly planted shrubs deeply once or twice a week during dry spells, preferably in the early morning.
- For ground cover around shrubs, allowing leaf litter to remain can help retain moisture and reduce weeds without the need for mulch.
- Avoid using pesticides and minimize chemical inputs to protect sensitive native pollinators.
These native flowering shrubs not only support a wide array of pollinators but also help maintain local biodiversity and resilient ecosystems in North America[1][2][3]. Some additional native shrubs include Apache Plume, Summersweet, Buttonbush, Winterberry, Rubber Rabbitbrush, and Serviceberry.
- Cultivating a home-and-garden using these recommended native flowering shrubs can contribute to an enriching lifestyle, as they attract various pollinators such as native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and support local biodiversity and resilient ecosystems.
- When planning your lifestyle garden with these native flowering shrubs, ensure they are planted in clusters of three or more to optimize their visibility and attractiveness to pollinators, following the advice on creating a bloom succession for continuous nectar and pollen sources throughout the seasons.
