A Pollinator paradise or butterfly garden is WITHIN YOUR REACH. It is essential to provide support to our pollinator population. Without our lovely pollinators, no fruit will form on vegetable plants. The plants will flower and then decay. Did you know that besides bees and butterflies, there are also beetles, hummingbirds, wasps, moths, and flies that make up our important pollinators? We have plenty of plants with nectar that can help all of these creatures pollinate.  We suggest you grow several types of pollinator plants in your garden; here are some that do excellent in North Carolina.

Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a native flowering perennial that requires fertile soil that drains well to flourish. They bloom abundantly from summer into fall, reaching a height of 2-3 feet. We’d suggest Daddy Pete’s Planting Mix for in-ground plantings and Daddy Pete’s Potting Mix if you intend to put them in a planter. Black-Eyed Susans enjoy full sun most and can still prosper under part shade. At Mitchell’s Nursery, we have a variety of black-eyed Susans called Goldstrum’s Select, a resilient variety that will help with pollination. Beware of double varieties; they’re inaccessible to pollinators! These are such a bright addition to any pollinator paradise.

Eupatorium dubium ‘Baby Joe,’ Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye Weed is a well-known North Carolina pollinator plant with the most beautiful fuchsia blooms. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators love this Carolina native! It thrives in moist, rich soil and does well in full sun to partial shade. It is partial to regular, deep waterings. Pye Weed blooms in late summer and early fall, providing a late-season food source for pollinators. It can grow quite tall, reaching 3-4 feet, so plan accordingly in your garden design. Spreading mulch will help the soil retain moisture. Older plants, after several growing seasons, can be divided and replanted in early spring.

Hellebore

Hellebores put on a show during the winter months when not much else is blooming. These tough plants survive in shade, which makes them desirable for tricky spots. This plant attracts plenty of pollinators at a time when resources are scarce. You can expect hardy bee-loving blooms that can come back every year.

Phlox subulata- Creeping Phlox

Phlox is a flowering perennial that many southerners enjoy. It is considered a butterfly garden staple. Phlox are excellent pollinator plants and add bright pops of color to any garden, planter, or porch front. They do well in full sun with lots of watering and partial sun with less watering. If you are growing them in an area with partial sun, try cutting them back in late spring to discourage stretching, which leads to leggy, weak plants.

Monarda ‘Bee Balm’ 

Bee balm is my personal favorite on this list because I have seen its effectiveness in attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It offers a unique bloom and color. It enjoys full sun to partial shade.  It will find happiness in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-draining, and pollinators will find their paradise there.

Butterfly Bush

Also known as Buddleia, it is a summer and fall flowering shrub that attracts butterflies (of course), hummingbirds, and bees. It prefers full sun in well-draining soil and should be severely pruned during the winter. Buddleia smells fantastic and is perfect for planting in front of the porch, where you can watch the butterflies enjoy themselves!

Azaleas

Azaleas are a wonderful sight to see in April when they burst to life! They supply nourishing nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds! Azalea comes from the Greek word azaleos, which means “dry.” Azaleas don’t like having their roots perpetually moist, as it leads to rot. It’s best to water azaleas infrequently but deeply and stick to a schedule. They thrive in partial shade and do best in acidic soil, which we have plenty of here in North Carolina clay. Pine needles can help provide more nutrients and acidity, as well as mulch, which will absorb some of the moisture that azaleas don’t like.

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum)

Pycnanthemum is a great pollinating perennial. It is not the showiest plant, but pollinators love it. A North American Native, Mountain Mint grows slowly and provides plenty of blooms for insects and other pollinators to enjoy. As a low-maintenance perennial mountain mint, it is only watered until it is established. Afterward, let them be and trim them back in the spring to keep them from overpowering other crops. Honeybees, Bumblebees, butterflies, and many other pollinators adore this low-maintenance perennial.

Parsley

Parsley serves a vital role for a specific species of butterfly! Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterflies love to lay eggs on parsley. They hatch out into the prettiest green-striped caterpillars and eat the parsley. So remember to plant enough parsley for you and the caterpillars. Parsley must be planted in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil after the last frost (April 15th). They thrive in both partial shade and full sun. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry! Butterflies, beetles, and bees will thank you.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly Weed is not much of a weed as it is a native wildflower. Serving as a vital role, this is the only host plant for the monarch butterfly! Milkweed is drought-tolerant. It thrives in well-drained, sandy soils, making it a perfect choice for those extra sunny spots in your garden.

Creating a Diverse Habitat:

• Water Sources: Provide shallow dishes of water with stones for bees to land on.
• Shelter: Leave some areas with undisturbed soil and leaf litter for ground-nesting insects.
• Avoid Pesticides: Use natural pest control methods to protect pollinators.
• Seasonal Blooms: Ensure your garden has plants blooming throughout the growing season.
• Plant in Groups: Grouping plants of the same species makes it easier for pollinators to find them

In Conclusion

Not only is a pollinator paradise beautiful, but by planting pollinator plants, you will be helping the environment and helping yourself to a more sustainable landscape!  So, plant a pollinator paradise this spring that will have your lawn more like a meadow or prairie. Happy Growing!