Annual flowers for pollinators
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu
Raised beds make great annual gardens. This bed measures about 30 x 84 inches and is 24 inches high.
Annual flowers can provide great garden and container interest with their ongoing blossoms and diverse forms and foliage.
Here are some flowers you can still plant now to beautify your landscape and attract pollinators to your garden.
| Zinnia | Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Mix' |
|---|---|
| Heliotrope | Heliotropium arborescens |
| Butter daisy | Melampodium 'Showstar' |
| Fan flower | Scaevola hybrid 'Whirlwind® Blue' |
| Moss rose | Portulaca 'Sundial Mix', 'Happy Hour Peppermint' |
| Lavender verbena | Verbena bonariensis |
| Dahlberg daisy or golden fleece | Dyssodia tenuiloba 'Golden Fleece' |
| Cosmos | Cosmos 'Sonata TM Mix' |
| Ageratum | Ageratum 'Blue Horizon' |
| Flowering tobacco | Nicotiana sylvestris. Although it contains trace amounts of nicotine, it is not toxic to bees. |
Showstar butter daisy (Melampodium) was a winner in the Flowers for Annuals trials 2018-2019.
Whirlwind® Blue fan flower (Scaevola) is a favorite of syrphid or “hover” flies.
Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) has fragrant white flowers that can be seen at night. It is also attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
Find more plants to attract pollinators to your garden.
Is Nicotiana harmful to bees? University of Washington Botanic Garden has answers.
