10 Plants for Your Pollinators

Originally published April 17, 2018

• Lavenders: Bumblebees, carpenter bees, digger bees and large and small leafcutting bees collect the nectar of this evergreen shrub.

• Pacific or coast rhododendron: Larval host for brown elfin and gray hairstreak butterflies. Hummingbirds, bees and Western tiger swallowtails collect the nectar of this evergreen shrub. Native to the Pacific Northwest.

• Blueblossom: Larval host for pale swallowtail, California tortoiseshell and echo blue butterflies. Bumblebees, carpenter bees, honey bees, digger bees and a variety of small native bees collect the nectar of this evergreen shrub.

• Ocean spray: Larval host for spring azure, brown elfin and Lorquin's admiral butterflies. Bumblebees and a variety of small native bees collect the nectar of this deciduous shrub.

• Serviceberry: Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies collect the nectar of this deciduous shrub. Larval host for Weiddemeyer's admiral butterflies. Native to the Pacific Northwest.

• Russian sage: Honey bees, small carpenter bees and leafcutting bees collect the nectar of this perennial garden plant. The nectar also attracts hummingbirds.

• Red-flowering currant: Important nectar source for early-season butterflies. Nectar also attracts hummingbirds. Perennial that is a native to the Pacific Northwest.

• Catmint: Honey bees, bumblebees, carder bees and mason bees collect nectar and pollen from this perennial.

• Sunflower: Longhorn bees, sweat bees, leafcutting bees and bumblebees collect the pollen and nectar of this annual

• Milkweed: Monarch butterflies collect nectar and pollen and lay their eggs on this perennial wildflower. Nectar also attracts hummingbirds. Native to the Pacific Northwest.

Sources: Denise Ruttan, Gail Langellotto, and Oregon State Extension Services research

Image credit: Big Blog of Gardening, Las Pilitas Nursery, Veseys