Top Pollinator Plants
Don’t have much space, but want to attract pollinators? These best-of-the-best plants attract more pollinators than any others. Not only attracting large numbers of pollinators, these also attract a wide variety. From butterflies and hummingbirds, to bees, flies and other important insects that keep our world alive. To see all of our excellent plants for pollinators click here.>>
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Zizia aurea – Golden Alexander
2025 Native Plant of the Year - gorgeous, easy, and, most importantly, supports pollinators and wildlife.
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Milkweed
#1 best selling Missouri native perennial.
Aster laevis – Bluebird Smooth Blue Aster
Few plants can top the intense robin's egg blue exuberant display. Ranked #1 Best Aster in top study.
Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower
Gorgeous Missouri native perennial for natural and formal settings.
Hydrangea – Haas’ Halo Smooth Hydrangea
Highly sought after, rare and limited.
Liatris ligulistylis – Meadow Blazing Star
#1 favorite nectar plant source for Monarch butterflies, Mo native.
Penstemon pallidus – Pale Beardtongue
An important food source for pollinators.
Phlox paniculata – Gzhel Russian Lady Garden Phlox
From Russia comes unusual petals, one half blue, the other half white, perennial.
Phlox paniculata – Jeana Garden Phlox
Best performer in top field trial, top award winner.
Phlox paniculata – Sherbet Blend Garden Phlox
Unique colors on a flamboyant plant, hardy perennial.
Phlox paniculata – Stars and Stripes Garden Phlox
Pink blossoms with radiant star-spangled red centers, hardy perennial.
Pycnanthemum muticum – Blunt Mountain Mint
Top choice to attract butterflies and more, multiple award winner. Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit, Perennial Plant Association 2025 Perennial of the Year.
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium – Slender Mountain Mint
2020 Native of the Year.
Agastache – Rosie Posie Hummingbird Mint
Hummingbirds find it irresistible.
Aristolochia tomentosa – Dutchman’s Pipe
Pipe shaped blossoms on rapidly growing native vine.
Baptisia australis – Blue Indigo
A Missouri native adored for its indigo blossoms.
Calamintha – Calamint
2021 Perennial Plant Association Perennial Plant Of the Year. Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Of Merit. Sun-loving perennial.
Helianthus pauciflorus – Prairie Sunflower
Large vigorous Illinois and Missouri native for the sun garden.
Hydrangea arborescens – Smooth Hydrangea
2024 Native Plant Of The Year
Melanthium virginicum – Bunchflower
One of the showiest Missouri and Illinois native plants.
Nepeta – Prelude Blue Catmint
Flowers appear all the way up its stem.
Oligoneuron ridellii – Riddell’s Goldenrod
An important pollinator food source.
Phlox paniculata – Larissa Russian Lady Garden Phlox
From Russia comes an exquisite beauty, perennial.
Rudbeckia fulgida – Shining Black-Eyed Susan
Birds love this Illinois and Missouri native's seeds.
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Height
Uses
Resistance
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