By this time of the year, gardens are often losing their value to pollinators day by day. The reason for this is many of the plants we plant for their beauty and ability to provide pollinators with nectar and pollen have already stopped blooming. This is unfortunate because butterflies, bees and other pollinators still desperately need sources of food. Consequently, if you spot bees and butterflies flying about your yard vainly looking for flowers, don’t let this happen again. With that in mind, I suggest that next spring you add some nectar plants that continue to bloom until frost. Two of the best are purple coneflower and cosmos.
Excellent article. Some folks believe them to be somewhat invasive, but I like Mexican sunflowers too which will bloom until frost. Monarchs and other pollinators love them. I have not found them to be invasive in my experience.
Ted,
I am happy you enjoyed this piece. You are correct. Mexican Sunflower is a great plant. Unfortunately our Mexican sunflowers did not do well this year.
I have a big patch of cut leaf coneflowers. The bees and butterflies love them as they are now starting to bloom. I also have many azaleas that are blooming for the second time this year. I see many pollinators there as well. It also provides a safe hiding spot for many birds, such as the Eastern Towhees.
naturephotography433
Thanks for your comments. Coneflowers are of my favorite pollinator plants. As for azaleas, my encore azaleas are in full bloom. Folks are finding these late blooming azaleas are being used by butterflies and other pollinators. I know they were bred to bloom late in the year; however, their ability to provide nectar is a real bonus. What is the name of the azalea that is blooming for a second time this year?
Thanks for the reply. We planted Encore Azaleas about 6 years ago when we first moved into our house. I think we planted around 25 azaleas in two different spots. They have spread and are beautiful. We bought them at Home Depot. I love azaleas and they remind me of my childhood. We’re getting ready to plant 14 more and I found white ones! Im getting ready to order them this week. Do you think I should get 2 gallon vs 1 gallon for this time of year?