Pollinator Plant Care

Learn more about caring for these plants by selecting the arrow next to the plant’s name.

Aromatic Aster; symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Sun Exposure; Full/part
Soil Moisture: Medium dry; dry
Height: 2-4 feet; Spacing 12-18 inches
Blooms: Purple-Pinkish Purple blossoms in August-October
Aggressiveness; Medium by rhizomes
Stiff stems will branch out slowly to create bush-like appearance which will be completely covered in light purple flowers
Flowers do not have aroma, despite name, but leaves do if crushed

Sky Blue Aster; symphyotrichum oolentangiense

Sun Exposure; Prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade
Soil Moisture: Medium to dry; well drained
Height: 2-3 feet; spacing 1-2 foot
Bright and showy blue blossoms in August-October
Attracts: Small bees, butterflies, skippers, wasps
Non-Aggressive
Short lived
Leaf surface is similar to Smooth Blue Aster although is rough to touch

Frost Aster; Symphyotrichum sericeum

Sun Exposure; Full
Soil Moisture: medium-wet to dry
Height: 3 feet; Spacing 2-3 feet
Blooms; white blossoms in September, October
Attracts bees and birds
Aggressive; spreads by seeds and rhizomes
Germination code; C=60

Smooth Aster; symphyotrichum laeve

Sun Exposure; Full, part
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet to medium-dry
4 feet tall; Spacing 18-24 inches
Blue blossoms in August-October
Attracts: Butterflies, moths, and birds for seeds and nesting
Host plant for Silvery Checkerspot and Pearl Crescent butterflies
Aggressiveness; Spreads slowly by rhizomes
Larval host plant for Silvery Checkerspot and Pearl Crescent butterflies
Tough stem allows plant to stand tall
Long lived;
Closely resembles Sky Blue Aster

Black Eyed Susan; Rudbeckia Hirta

Sun Exposure; Full to partial
Soil Moisture; Medium wet to medium dry
Height: 1-3 feet tall; Space 10-12 inches
Yellow Blossoms June to October
Easy to grow and great nectar source
Biennial but reseeds;
Host to Silvery Checkerspot larva

Blanket Flower; Gaillardia

Sun Exposure; Full
Soil Moisture; Dry, well drained soil
Height: 1-3 feet tall;
Yellow-Burgundy Blossoms usually early to late summer
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, other pollinators
Aggressiveness; low by seed
Short-lived, 2-3 years; Divide in year 2
Deadhead to increase bloom time

Dense or Marsh Blazing Star; Liatris Spicata

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium to moist
Height: up to 5 feet; spacing 1-2 feet
Purple blooms; purple in July, August, September
Attracts: bees, butterflies, other insects, birds, sphynx moths
Alternating leaves are grass like.
Mix with grasses and robust flowers to lend support

Dotted Blazing Star; Liatris punctata
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Moisture; Dry/medium
- Height; 1-2 feet
- Purple pink blossoms in July-September
- Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
- Aggressiveness; Low by seed
- Soil: sand, loam, clay

Meadow Blazing Star; Liatris Ligulstylis

Ultimate Monarch magnet
Sun: Full, partial
Moisture; medium-wet, medium, medium-dry
Height up to 4 feet
Requires rich loamy soil
Purple blossoms in July, August, September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, Hummingbirds, songbirds
Tolerates poor soil, partners well with Gray Headed Yellow Coneflower, Rattlesnake Master, Mountain Mint

Prairie Blazing Star; Liatris pycnostachya

Sun Exposure: Full
Moisture; medium; moist
Height 3-5 feet
Purple, pink blossoms in July-September
Attracts butterflies, moths, bees, hummingbirds, and birds
Aggressiveness; Low by seed
Plant with grasses and sturdy flowers to provide support and prevent flopping.
One of earliest of Liatris to bloom

Rough Blazing Star; Liatris Aspera

Sun: Full/partial
Moisture; Dry to Medium
Height; 2-4 feet
Purple blossoms in August, September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
Aggressiveness: low by seed
Blooms start at top

Blue False Indigo; Baptisia australis

Sun Exposure: full to part
Soil Moisture: medium to moist
Height: 3-5 feet
Blooms: Blue blossoms May-July
Attracts: bees, butterflies, game birds, song birds
Aggressiveness: low by seed
Emerging plant resembles asparagus

Blue Mistflower; Conoclinium coelestinum

Sun exposure; Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet to medium-dry
Height-2 feet; spacing 12-24 inches
Blue blossoms in September, October, form clusters
Attracts late season butterflies
Aggressiveness: medium by rhizome
Can be found in savanna areas in dense stands

False Boneset; Brickellia eupatorioides

Sun exposure: Full; Partial
Moisture: Medium-dry to dry
Height: 3 feet; roots to 17 feet deep
Abundant fragrant cream blossoms in August; September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, moths
Aggressiveness: Not aggressive
Deer resistant
Resembles Tall Boneset

Tall Boneset; Eupatorium Altissimum

Sun Exposure: Full to Partial
Moisture; Medium-Wet to Medium-dry
Height: 4 feet
Attracts: Butterflies, bees, wasps
Aggressiveness: somewhat
Flattish clusters of dull white blooms; August, September; looks like regular Boneset; also resembles White Snakeroot blooms
Opposite leaves have prominent vine.
Also called Tall Thoroughwort

Boneset; Eupatorium Perfoliatum

Sun exposure: Full/partial
Moisture: Medium, moist, wet
Height 3-4 feet
Roundish heads of white flowers July-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, birds
Leaves joined at base, appearing to surround stem
Pair with Dense Blazing Star for attractive display

Canada Milkvetch; Astragalus canadensis

Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Moisture: dry to medium
Height: 2-3 feet
Blooms: Creamy yellow blossoms July-October
Attracts: bees, butterflies, game birds, hummingbirds, songbirds
Aggressiveness: medium by seed
Biennial but reseed
Tap roots so not easily moved

Round Headed Bush Clover; lespedeza capitata

Sun exposure; Full-to very light shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-dry; does well in dry sandy soil
Height; 2-4 feet; spacing 1-2 feet
Cream-greenish blossoms in September, October, form clusters
Host to Silver Spotted Skipper, Hoary Edge, and Southern & Northern Cloudywing Butterflies; & Bella Moth
Foliage high in protein for mammalian wild life including deer, rabbits, and muskrat
Seeds are food source for gamebirds and songbirds; including Mourning Dove, Bobwhite, Turkey and Junco
Germination code: moist stratification-10 days; sandpaper scarification

Columbine; Aquilegia canadensis

Sun exposure, full, partial, or shade
Soil Moisture: Medium to dry
Red blossoms in April, May, June
Height:2 feet; spacing; 10-17 inches
Attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Aggressiveness:
One of first plants to provide nectar
Deer resistant

Compass Plant

Sun exposure, full, partial
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet to medium-dry
Yellow blossoms July-September
Height: up to 8 feet; spacing: 3-4 feet
Attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Aggressiveness: low by seed
Leaves have tendency to orient themselves north-south
Long lived; long taproot

Gray Headed Yellow Coneflower; Ratibida pinnata

Sun Exposure: Full to partial
Soil Moisture: Dry to wet
Height: 3-6 feet
Blooms: Yellow blossoms July to September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, songbirds
Aggressiveness: Medium by seed

Orange Coneflower; Rudbeckia Fulgida

Sun exposure; full to partial
Soil Moisture; medium; does best in rich soil
Height 2–4 feet; spacing 1-2”
Blooms July-September
Yellow-orange blossoms
Dead-head to prolong blooming
A favorite of butterflies; good nectar source for other pollinating insects

Pale Purple Coneflower; Echinacea Pallida

Sun Exposure: Full
Moisture; Dry to Medium
Height 3-5 feet
Purple blossoms in May-July
Aggressiveness: Low by seed
Attracts: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds;
More drought resistant than Purple Coneflower

Prairie Coneflower; Ratibida columnifera

Also called Long-headed Coneflower or Mexican Hat
Sun Exposure; Full to half
Soil Moisture: Well drained; Medium-dry; tolerates drought
Height: 1-3 feet; Plant in groups or masses for more effective display
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Aggressiveness; not long lived, but may reseed
Showy blossoms from June to September
- Blossoms are Dark Orange, Yellow rays with Dark Brown center disk

Good companions include Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), Asters, Gaillardia, Monarda, Penstemon

Lanceleaf Coreopsis; Coreopsis lanceolata

Sun Exposure; full to light shade
Soil Moisture; dry; medium
Height: 1-2 feet;
Blooms: Yellow blossoms June; July
Attracts: butterflies & bees
Aggressiveness: medium by seed
Deer resistant
Deadhead to extend bloom time.
Showy plant!

Prairie (Stiff) Coreopsis; Coreopsis Palmata

Sun Exposure; Full
Soil Moisture; Medium to dry; tolerant to drought
Height 2-3 feet; Spacing 12-18 inches
Yellow blooms in June-August
Aggressiveness; Medium by rhizomes
Attracts: Bees and butterflies for nectar; Birds for seeds
Beekeepers consider all Coreopsis species to be good honey sources
Deer resistant

Tall Coreopsis; Coreopsis Tripteris

Sun Exposure; Full-Partial
Soil Moisture; Medium to moist
Height: 3-6 feet
Yellow blooms July-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, birds
Aggressiveness: low by seed
Beekeepers consider all Coreopsis species to be good honey sources
Coreopsis plants are sometimes called tickseed.

Culver’s Root; Veronicastrum virginicum

Sun Exposure; full-partial;
Soil Moisture; medium to moist
Height: 5’ tall; 2-3’spacing
Blooms: White flower spires; June-August
Attracts: butterflies and solitary bees
Aggressiveness: Low by seed; creeps slowly by rootstocks; can be divided
Low palatability for deer

Cup Plant; Silphium Perfoliatum

Sun Exposure; full/partial
Soil moisture: Medium-wet, Medium
Height- 6 feet; spacing 2-4 feet apart
Yellow blooms in July, August, September
Butterflies feed on nectar, and birds on seeds
Leaves clasp around stem and form cup around stems, which holds water which attracts birds and other wildlife

Evening Primrose; Oenothera biennis

Sun Exposure; Full, Partial
Moisture: Medium-Wet to dry
Height: up to 6 feet
Yellow blooms in June thru October
Attracts: Butterflies, bee, moths
Aggressiveness: Medium
Biennial but reseeds; growth vegetative in first year, blooms and seeds in second year

Foxglove Beardtongue; Penstemon digitalis

Sun: Full, partial
Moisture; medium to moist
Height; 2-3 feet
Blooms: Tubular-shaped white blossoms in May-July
Attracts: Butterflies, long-tongued bees, hummingbirds
Also attracts butterflies and birds
Deer resistant
Also called Smooth Penstemon

Golden Alexanders Zizio Aurea

Sun Exposure; Full – Partial
Soil Moisture; Medium wet to medium dry
Height 3 feet; Spacing 1-2 feet
Yellow blossoms April-June
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Aggressiveness: Low by seed
Short lived, but will self-seed
Every pollinator garden needs these! A great early nectar source!

Caution-it can be confused with non-native Wild Parsnip, although parsnip is taller and blooms later; Parsnip can cause painful skin burns.

Stiff Goldenrod; Solidago rigida

Sun Exposure; Full/partial
Soil Moisture; Dry to moist
Height 3-5 feet; Spacing 1-2 feet
Large, Flat topped yellow blooms August to September
Attracts: Butterflies, bees, game and song birds;
- Monarchs visit flowers
Aggressive medium by seed
Does not cause hay fever (ragweed causes hay fever)
Important to ecosystem because of late blooming, etc.
Stateliest of Goldenrods

Showy Goldenrod’ Solidago speciosa

Sun Exposure; Full–Partial
Soil Moisture; Medium to dry
Height 5 feet; Spacing 2-3 feet apart
Yellow blooms September, October, November
Less aggressive than some Goldenrods-not rhizomatous
Will spread slowly forming clumps, but will not overwhelm
Does not cause hay fever (ragweed causes hay fever)
Important to ecosystem because of late blooming, etc.
One of the showiest Goldenrods

Great Blue Lobelia; Lobelia siphilitica

Sun exposure: Full/partial
Moisture: Moist to wet
Height: 1-4 feet; space 1 foot
Blooms: Narrow spike blue flowers in July-September.
Attracts: butterflies, bees, hummingbirds,
Deer resistant
Blue counterpart to Cardinal Flower

Heliopsis; Heliopsis Helianthoides

Sun exposure: Full, partial
Moisture: Medium-wet; medium, medium-dry
Yellow blooms June-September.
Height 4-5 feet; space 18-24 inches
Attracts many kinds of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
Aggressiveness: medium by seed
Also called Ox-eye Sunflower, Early sunflower, and False Sunflower
First composite flower to show in spring
Easy to grow and quick to develop

Hoary Skullcap; Scutellaria incana

Very hardy!
Sunlight Exposure; Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium to medium-dry; tolerates poor soil
Height: 3 feet; Spacing 1-2 feet
Showy blue blossoms June-September
Attracts: Attracts many different pollinators, but primarily pollinated by bumblebees
Deer resistant
Aggressiveness; Forms colonies by rhizomes; also spreads by seeds
Germination code: Cold-moist treatment for 60 days

Anise Hyssop; Agastache Foeniniculum

Sun Exposure; Full/partial
Soil moisture; Dry to medium
Height 1-3 foot
Blooms: Light blue/lavender flower spikes June,-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Aggressiveness: medium by seed
Rich nectar -favorite of bees and hummingbirds.
Anise Hyssop is a native prairie plant in the mint family.
Leaves have a licorice, anise scent
Square stem; self-seeds

Giant Purple Hyssop: Agastache urtocofp;oa

Sun Exposure: Full/partial; Dappled shade
Soil Moisture: Moist to wet
Height: up to 6 feet
Blooms: Purple blossoms July-October
Attracts: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, Goldfinches
For high nectar content; seeds
Aggressiveness: not aggressive, in fact, needs attention to preserve
Tend to be short-lived due to being out competed by more aggressive species
Can be cut back in spring to promote more bushiness
Sturdy square stems
Threatened or endangered in some Eastern states

Common Ironweed; Vernonia fasciculata

Sun Exposure: Full/part
Moisture: medium to moist
Height: 4-6 feet; spacing 2-3 feet
Brilliant purple-deep pink blossoms July-September
Aggressiveness: Low by seed
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, songbirds
Larval host to American Painted Lady butterfly
May self hybridize with Tall and Missouri Ironweed

Missouri Ironweed; Veronica Missurica

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Moisture: Medium-wet to Medium dry
Height 5 feet; spacing 2-3 feet
Showy magenta/purple blossoms July to October
Attracts: Butterflies; larval source to some moths
Late season nectar source
Aggressiveness: Spreads by rhizomes
Deer resistant
Readily self-hybridizes with Common and Tall Ironweed

Tall Ironweed; Vernonia Gigantia

Sun Exposure: Full/part
Moisture: Moist to wet
Height: 5-10 feet; spacing 2-3 feet
Large showy purple-magenta blossoms July-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, songbirds
Aggressiveness: Spreads rhizomes and seeds
Readily self-hybridizes with Missouri and Common Ironweed
Deer resistant due to bitterness of leaves

Spotted Joe Pye; Eupatorium maculatum

Sun exposure; full, partial
Moisture; Moist to wet
Height; 5 feet; spacing 3-4 feet
Pink blossoms July & August
Attracts: magnet for many species of butterflies; as well as bees and songbirds
Aggressiveness: low to medium;
Large plant so plan placement carefully
Deer palatability low
Good for planting in drainage areas, along streambanks, and pond edges

Lead Plant; Amorpha canescens

Sun Exposure: full sun to light shade
Soil Moisture; Dry to medium
Height: 2-3 feet;
Blossoms: Iridescent purple blossoms June; July
Attracts: Bees, butterflies;
Host to numerous butterflies and moths, including Eastern Tailed Blue, Southern Dogface Sulphur, Silver Spotted Skipper
Foliage silver-gray even in heat of summer
Deep taproot makes this plant drought tolerant
Leaves: Grayish-green
Small shrub; long tap root

Sweet Joe Pye; Eupatorium Purpureum

Sun exposure; full, partial; can handle more shade than Spotted Joe Pye

Moisture; Medium-wet to medium-dry
Height; 6-7 feet; spacing; 3-4 feet
Lavender, pink blossoms July-September
Attracts: Favorite nectar source for Monarchs, Swallowtails, and other butterflies
Aggressiveness: well-behaved due to shallow fibrous roots
Will not interfere with other garden plants
Deer resistant

Rose Mallow; Hibiscus laevis

Light Requirement; Full sun
Moisture: Wet to medium-wet
Height: 5 feet; spacing 2-3 feet
Dramatic, large, plentiful pink blossoms July-September
Spreads by seeds and rhizomes; easy to manage
Attracts: Seeds eaten by birds; nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects
Massive root structure; stem may be more delicate, so planting with other upright plants may help, or stake them if necessary
Germination code: Cold-moist stratification 60 days

Common Milkweed; Asclepias syriaca

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial
Moisture: Dry to moist
Blooms: Pink/lavender blossoms are fragrant-
Attracts: Bees and butterflies for nectar
A favorite host plant for Monarch eggs & caterpillars
Aggressiveness: High by rhizomes and seeds
Easy to grow-very common in Iowa!
Cut back mid-summer for new growth
Best to plant in area where it is OK if they spread. Pair with robust prairie flowers and grasses to keep in check.

Red Swamp Milkweed; Asclepias Incarnata

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture; Moist to wet
Blooms: Red-pink blossoms in June-July
Height; 3-5 feet; spacing; 12-18 inches
Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Larva plant for Monarch butterflies
Aggressiveness: Medium by seeds; clumps get bigger
Fibrous root system, not rhizomes, so it is not invasive

Butterfly Weed; Asclepias Tuberosa

Sun Exposure: Full
Moisture: Dry to medium
Height: 2-3 feet
Blooms: Bright orange blossoms in June-August
Attracts: Great nectar source for all kinds of bees and butterflies
A host plant for Monarch eggs & caterpillars
Aggressiveness; low by seeds
Taproot not easily divided

Whorled Milkweed

Sun Exposure; Full – Partial
Soil Moisture; Medium wet to medium dry
Height 3 feet; Spacing 1-2 feet
Short lived, but will self-seed
Yellow blooms April, May, June

Caution-it can be confused with non-native Wild Parsnip, although parsnip is taller and blooms later; Parsnip can cause painful skin burns.

Slender Mountain Mint; Pycanthemium tenuifolium

Sun Exposure: full to partial
Moisture: Medium-wet to Medium-dry
Blooms: White blooms July-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Height: 1-4 feet; Space 12-18 inches apart
Aggressiveness: Medium by rhizomes, but easily controlled
Has mint aroma
Deer resistant

Nodding Onion; Allium cernuum

Sun exposure: Full-partial
Soil Moisture; medium-wet; Medium-dry
Height 1-2 feet; spacing 4-8 inches
Blooms: White-pink blossoms June-August
Attracts; Bees, because they can nectar upside down
Aggressiveness: Medium by seed
Easy to grow and will gradually spread by seed and bulb offshoots
Plant in mass for stunning display
Deer resistant

Obedient Plant; Physostegia virginiana

Sun requirement: Full sun, light shade
Soil Moisture; Medium to wet
Height 1-2 feet
Blooms: Pinkish purple blooms; August-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Aggressiveness: High by rhizomes
Square stems
Gets its name because it is said that if you manipulate the flower, it will stay where you put it. It does not apply to its behavior in the garden, as it will spread- but a good spread.

Ohio Spiderwort;Tradescantia Ohiensis

Sun Exposure: Full-Partial
Soil moisture: Medium-wet to medium-dry
Height; 2-4 feet; spacing- 12-18 inches
Blooms: Blue blossoms May-July
Attracts: Native Bees
Tolerates poor soils and tough growing sites
Blooms open in AM and close in PM

Partridge Pea; Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Sun Exposure; Full/part
Soil Moisture: Medium-dry
Height: 2 feet; Spacing 12-18 inches
Yellow blossoms July-September
Attracts: Bees, other pollinators; seeds attract songbirds
Is an annual, but reseeds readily
Larval host of Little Yellow, Sleepy Orange, and Orange Sulfur butterflies
Is a legume so aid in fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and improve health of native plant communities

Pasque Flower; Pulsatilla patens var. multifida

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Height: 6-12 inches
Blooms: White blossoms April-May
Attracts: Bees
Aggressiveness: low by seed

Garden Phlox; Phlox paniculata

Native variety (many cultivars available in garden centers)
Sun Exposure; Full/partial
Soil Moisture: Wet to medium-wet
Height: 4 feet; Spacing 2-3 feet
Deep pink blossoms July=September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, especially Swallowtails
Aggressiveness; Medium by rhizomes
Germination code: Cold-Moist 60 days
Keep seeds refrigerated until planted
Spreads to 2-3 feet
Plant in area with good ventilation

Prairie Smoke; Geum triflorum

Light Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture: Dry to medium
Height: 6 inches
Blooms: Pink blossoms; May-June; Noted more for fluffy seedheads
Attracts: Bees, butterflies
Aggressiveness: Low by seed and rhizome
Rhizomes can easily be divided.

Purple Prairie Clover; Dalea Purpurea

Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred
Soil Moisture; Medium to dry
Height 1-2 feet; Spacing: 18”-24”
Blooms: Purple blossoms in July-September
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, game birds, song birds
Aggressiveness: Low by seed
Larval host for Dogface Sulpher butterfly
Legumes harbor beneficial bacteria called rhizobia that enables plants to capture nitrogen from air and “fixing” it in the plant.
The plant material fertilizes the soil when it is spent.
Long tap root supports a long-lived plant
Deer palatability: High

Rattlesnake Master; Eryngium Yuccifolium

Sun Exposure: Full/partial
Soil Moisture: Medium wet-medium dry
Height: 4 feet; Spacing 18-24”
Bloom are bristly flowers in June-August
The bristly blooms and course leaves make it largely ignored by deer and rabbits.
Nectar source for small bees and moths
Aggressiveness: Medium by seed
Interesting texture addition to your garden
Native to Iowa

River Oats; Northern Sea Oats; Adamantium latifolium

Light Requirement; Full/partial
Moisture: Moist
Height: 3 feet
Aggressiveness; Reseeds and spreads by rhizomes
Attracts: Seeds eaten by birds and small mammals
Food for larva of several species of Skippers
Will form nice ground cover over time
Very Ornamental grass

Prairie Sage; Artemesia ludoviciana

Sun Exposure: Full-partial
Soil Moisture: Medium to dry
Height: 3 feet
Attracts: Many pollinators
Green blooms July to September
Leaves have aroma which may deter herbivores like rabbits and deer
Larval host to American Lady and Painted Lady butterflies
Plants are easily propagated; When plants reach 3, can do tip cuttings in early summer, or by divide mature plants in early summer
Spreads by rhizomes to form colonies; aggressive
Germination code: Cold-moist treatment 30 days; seeds need light to germinate
This species is the sage used in Sage Bundles for smudging and ceremonial purposes by many Native American tribes.