Perfect for gardens, field edges, and pollinator patches at The Farm Life Inc.
🌸 SPRING BLOOMERS
| 🌿 Plant Name | Pollinators Attracted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) | Hummingbirds, bees | Shade-tolerant, early bloomer |
| Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) | Bumblebees, solitary bees | Thrives in moist soil |
| Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) | Bees, butterflies | Host plant for Black Swallowtail |
🌺 SUMMER BLOOMERS
| 🌿 Plant Name | Pollinators Attracted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) | Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds | Fragrant leaves, deer resistant |
| Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) | Butterflies, native bees | Drought-tolerant, great for bouquets |
| Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) | Long-tongued bees, hummingbirds | Aromatic, great for teas |
| Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Butterflies, bees | Easy to grow, reseeds itself |
🌻 FALL BLOOMERS
| 🌿 Plant Name | Pollinators Attracted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) | Monarchs, bees, late pollinators | Important fall nectar source |
| Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) | Bees, butterflies | NOT allergenic (pollen is heavy) |
| Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) | Bees, butterflies | Beautiful blue flowers in fall |
🌱 Native Grasses & Support Plants
| 🌿 Plant Name | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) | Habitat for butterflies | Supports Skipper butterflies |
| Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) | Shelter and nesting | Supports soil erosion control |
🐝 Tips for Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
- Mix bloom times: Include early, mid, and late-season flowers
- Avoid double-bloom varieties: These often lack nectar
- Skip pesticides: Even organic sprays can harm pollinators
- Add habitat: Bee hotels, brush piles, bare ground patches
- Water stations: Shallow dishes with pebbles help pollinators stay hydrated
🌼 Perfect For:
- Edges of garden beds
- Children’s learning gardens
- Pollinator pathways
- Community planting projects
- Cut-flower plots for farm events
If you’re also in zone 7a, download our pollinator planting guide.
Founder/CEO –At Harvesting Change & The Farm Life, our mission is to sow real seeds of change by nurturing a hands-on, inclusive learning environment rooted in sustainable farming, community connection, and traditional wisdom rooted in equity, sustainability, and social justice. We cultivate more than just gardens—we grow knowledge, resilience, and relationships that nourish people of all races, genders, and ages and the land alike.