Five Low Maintenance Pollinator Plants for Your Garden

Pollinator plants are a no-brainer for any garden. They benefit you as well as important species of bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Pollinators are vital to all life, aiding in plant reproduction and health. Pollinators can help your fruit and vegetable plants have a larger yield. Below is a list of easy, low maintenance and gorgeous pollinator plants you can grow to increase the biodiversity of your garden.

1. Lavender

Bees LOVE lavender. There are over 450 varieties of it, and they all smell fantastic. They bloom with different shades of beautiful purple flowers and will host honeybees, bumblebees and more. Lavender typically requires little water and is drought resistant. It benefits from regular pruning. A healthy lavender bush can last five to seven years.

On top of all this goodness, lavender can be also be helpful for relaxation, depression and anxiety. Stressed? Take a whiff. Cranky? Take a whiff. Upset stomach? Take a big whiff. Try making lavender aromatherapy oils, eye pillows or candles, it's fun!

If you're near Sonoma County, California, I highly recommend checking out Bees 'n' Blooms! They have an amazing lavender labyrinth hosting thousands of honeybees and other pollinators. You can also buy your own starter plants from them. Much of what I've learned about pollinator plants comes from them.

2. Milkweed

Milkweed is the only plant Monarch Butterflies lay their eggs on, and the only plant their caterpillars eat. Monarchs are endangered, while being one of the most important pollinators for native plants in their natural habitats. Planting a few milkweed plants can make an enormous difference in the reproduction of native plants in your area. Plus, who wouldn't want to see these enchanting orange butterflies hanging out in their garden?

Milkweed is draught tolerant and requires little water. Be sure not to over-water it as it is susceptible to mold. There are 73 native species of milkweed in the U.S. and all of them produce stunning flowers.

3. Buckwheat

Buckwheat is another low water and draught tolerant plant. There are over 125 species of buckwheat, ranging in bush shape and size and flower color. Some are annual and some are perennial. Buckwheat is a good source of pollen and nectar for pollinators because the flowers bloom for a long period of time every season, about 6-8 weeks.

Buckwheat also serves as a superb grain crop or as a cover crop. Buckwheat produces one of the most nutritious grains you can eat, but you would have to grow quite a lot of it to get enough to eat. If you have a large garden or farmstead, I highly recommend it as a grain that you can produce for yourself rather than relying on buying and preserving rice. It's a smart way to reduce your reliance on the supply chain if you have the space to do so.

4. Dandelion

Think it's an annoying weed? Think again. You've probably seen them growing on lawns, maybe on yours. Don't kill them! They attract those vitally important pollinators like crazy. If you don't have any naturally showing up, plant some! It takes no effort since it grows like a weed!

Dandelion also has lots of medicinal benefits. It can be used as a tea to aid in digestion and immune support. The root can be used to detoxify the liver and gallbladder. And the list goes on.

Ok, so technically it IS a weed. BUT, it's an important and beneficial one that happens to have pleasant yellow flowers on it. I have no qualms about letting some of these take over my lawn. Where did this idea that lawns need to only consist of grass come from, anyway?

5. Yarrow

I can't say enough about Yarrow! It's hardy, pest resistant, has tons of medicinal uses and it's easy on the eyes! Why everyone doesn't have some around is beyond me.

Some Native Americans used Yarrow to treat sunburns and wounds. When dealing with native plants, I tend to look to the knowledge of those who lived on this land for thousands of years before us. I think they kind of knew what they were doing.

More recently studies have shown benefits may include aiding in brain health, multipole sclerosis and digestive issues. Yarrow can be an invasive grower so keep an eye on its ability to spread if you don't want too much of it.