Special to Road Trips for Gardeners
From All-America Selections

Not sure which types of pollinators you want to host? Flowers like zinnias and verbena attract a wide variety of pollinators.

Looking to attract butterflies? Plant both host plants (i.e. milkweed for monarchs, dill, and fennel for swallowtails) and food/nectar plants like tithonia and zinnia. But, check with local sources for plants specific to your region and butterfly species native to your local area.

Want to attract more hummingbirds? Aim for flowers with a tubular structure like canna, penstemon, salvia, petunia or snapdragon.
Or are bees more of interest?

Plant flowers that have larger petals that act as “landing pads” for bumblebees. Native bees prefer clusters of multiple, smaller flowers like those found on oregano or large rayed flowers like sunflowers.

Plant in groups to create a “target’ for pollinators to find easily.

Choose a variety of different colors. Try blues and yellows for bees and oranges, reds and yellows (i.e. Cheyenne Spirit echinacea) for butterflies.

Here are AAS Winners to get you started with your pollinator garden.

Dill Fernleaf, Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit, Echinacea PowWow Wild Berry, Fennel Antares F1, Penstemon Barbatus Twizzle Purple F1, Penstemon Arabesque Red F1, Petunia Tidal Wave Red Velvet, Snapdragon Twinny Peach, Sunflower Ring of Fire, Tithonia Fiesta del Sol, Zinnia Queeny Line Orange, and Zinnia Profusion Red.

All-America Selections is an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for the home gardener.

(Photo courtesy of All-America Selections)