Why Early-Summer Planting Matters
Pollinators like honey bees, native bees, and butterflies face a tough season with rising temperatures and dwindling water sources. By planting flowers that bloom from late June through fall, you can offer a lifeline to these essential creatures, supporting their role in pollinating 1 in 3 bites of our food. Plus, it’s a great time to refresh your garden or start a new plot.
Top Pollinator-Friendly Flowers to Plant in Early Summer
Here are our favorite flowers to plant now, chosen for their beauty, heat tolerance, and pollinator appeal. All thrive in well-drained soil and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a pollinator’s dream, with vivid blooms in reds, pinks, yellows, and oranges. These heat-loving annuals are drought-tolerant, perfect for early to mid-summer planting.
Why bees love them: Rich nectar and pollen.
Tip: Plant in full sun for continuous blooms into fall. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more growth.
Sunflowers
Nothing says summer like towering sunflowers! Their large, nectar-rich blooms are a magnet for bees and provide seeds for birds later in the season.
Why pollinators love them: Abundant pollen and nectar.
Tip: Choose dwarf varieties for small spaces or containers. Plant in full sun and water regularly until established.
Cosmos
Cosmos bring delicate, daisy-like flowers in pink, white, and purple, swaying on slender stems. They’re easy to grow and bloom profusely, even in poor soil.
Why butterflies love them: Open blooms make nectar accessible.
Tip: Sow seeds directly in the garden for quick growth. They thrive in full sun.
Sage (Salvias)
Salvias offer tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or red, perfect for attracting hummingbirds and bees. Many varieties are also fragrant and drought-tolerant.
Why pollinators love them: Long blooming period with ample nectar.
Tip: Plant in sunny spots with good drainage. Try ‘Black and Blue’ salvia for a bold look.
Asters
Asters bring star-shaped blooms in purples, pinks, and whites, lighting up gardens from late summer to fall. They’re a vital late-season food source for pollinators.
Why bees love them: High pollen and nectar content.
Tip: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Pinch back growth in early July for bushier plants.
Extra Tips to Support Pollinators
Provide Water: Set up a shallow dish with pebbles and water for pollinators to drink safely. Place it near your new plantings.
Skip Pesticides: We can’t stress this enough… Opt for natural pest control, like introducing ladybugs or using neem oil sparingly, to protect pollinators. Continued use of these pesticides is causing irreparable damage.
Mix It Up: Combine flowers of different shapes and colors to attract a variety of pollinators, from solitary bees to monarch butterflies.
Have a blooming garden or a pollinator story to share? Tag us on social media (@ochoneybees). We’d love to see your efforts!
