Coneflower (Echinacea) – Showcasing beautiful hues of purple, yellow, white and pink flowers, coneflowers are a must in any pollinator garden. Coneflowers are perennials and are native to the Eastern U.S. The plants are hardy and drought resistant. If starting plants from seed, they will need to be stratified. * Also, this plant happens to be a favorite food for pesky Japanese beetles, so careful monitoring may be needed.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) – Another favorite native plant, is a viable food and nesting source Monarch butterflies. The butterfly lays its eggs directly on the leaves and after the caterpillar’s hatch, they will immediately eat the leaves of the plant (it is the only food Monarch caterpillars will eat). 

Milkweed is a hardy, drought tolerant perennial and the flowers colors ranges from white to purple. If starting plants from seed, they will need to be stratified. *

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) – An old garden favorite, snapdragons are technically tender perennials, they are grown as annuals due to their lack of overwinter hardiness. However, the plants are easy to grow provided they are given cooler temps and moist, well-draining soil.  The flowers’ colors range includes red, pink, white, violet, yellow, peach, purple and orange. Many new varieties are actually bi-color and pretty spectacular.

Tickseed (Coreopsis) – Is an all-time favorite perennial in all-native or pollinator gardens. Popular varieties such as Lance-leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) and Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) are deer resistant, hardy, easy to grow and offer a long blooming period. The flowers colors range from yellow, red and pink. Many varieties offer vibrant bicolor that are sure to compel many pollinators to any garden.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – A very hardy, native perennial that is very easy to grow, yarrow plants are drought tolerant, can grow in poor soils and have a high nutrient content, which is why it is used as ground cover or a cover crop in many orchards as a natural fertilizer.  The large flower heads also attract many beneficial insects. The flower colors range from white, red, yellow and pink flowers.

Additional Resources:

Wildflower.org

Pollinator.org