Our native pollinators are in trouble, and gardeners are in a unique position to help.
More and more people are learning about the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems. As a garden center, we're here to do our part to help, not just with neonicotinoid free flowers and organic products, but with a wealth of tried and true sustainable gardening practices that create a beautiful garden where both pollinators & people can thrive. 

bumble bee in the raspberry blooms
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butterfly on a yellow flower

What are Pollinators & Why are They So Important?

Here in the Pacific Northwest,
some of our most important pollinators include native bumblebees & solitary bees, butterflies, moths, flies, & hummingbirds.

Simply put, pollinators are creatures that carry pollen. Almost all plants rely on pollinators to make seeds or fruit. When we talk about helping pollinators, our focus is on the local native insects and birds that the indigenous plants of this region have evolved with for thousands of years.

Many people think of honeybees when they think of pollinators. Honeybees are famous for their handy ability to thrive in human-made hives and for the delicious honey they produce. However, they were introduced to North America from Europe, & they aren’t the pollinators best suited to our wet PNW climate. 

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Pollinators are considered 'Keystone Species" because large communities of plants and animals depend on them. If you picture an ecosystem as a complex web of relationships, then keystone species are "hubs" where many strings of the web connect. If you remove a hub, the whole web will be damaged.

As we know, pollinators help many plants produce seeds & fruit, which are eaten by a huge diversity of animals, and in turn many predators eat those animals. So successful pollination isn’t just crucial for plants themselves, but for the whole web of life that depends on them, including humans.

It may be possible, though not easy, to rely on managed honeybee hives or even high-tech interventions for commercial food production. But wild plants and animals still absolutely depend on native bees, birds, etc. to survive. Meanwhile, native pollinators currently provide a lot of help with pollinating human food crops alongside honeybees: a wonderful and free ecological service.

What Can Gardeners Do To Help?

Plants for Pollinators

The choices below are especially tasty to pollinators but in reality, almost any flowering plant can attract them. You might be surprised what gets them all a-buzz! For great in-person ideas, visit our Nectar Bar of plants for pollinators in the greenhouse during June & July, or grab a printout and explore the nursery year-round!

Acer Maple Butterfly Deciduous tree Foliage plants - No blooms Caterpillar host plant
Achillea Yarrow Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Long blooming, native variety available, aromatic and herbal
Agastache asstd. Anise Hyssop Bee, Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, tolerates tough conditions; reblooms if cut back hard, purple flowers
Alcea rosea Hollyhock Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Tall, long-blooming cottage garden flower in pink, white, red and purples
Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous shrub High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Butterfly host plant, Fruits loved by birds & small mammals
Angelica gigas Angelica Bee Deciduous herb High Summer - June, July, & August Architectural foliage/flowers reach 5’, moist soil, some shade
Antirrhinum Snapdragon Hummingbird Annual flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Cold tolerant, blooms both spring & fall in variety of colors
Aquilegia Columbine Hummingbird Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Red-flowered varieties are best; native species available
Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Hummingbird Evergreen shrub/tree Autumn to Early Winter - September, October, November & December Related to native madrone; white flowers & red fruit at same time
Arctostaphylos Manzanita Butterfly, Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Late Winter - January & February Long blooming, bell shaped pink/ white flowers, caterpillar host plant
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick/Bearberry Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Native groundcover Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Fragrant bell-shaped flowers, then red berries, evergreen leaves
Armeria Thrift, Sea Pink Butterfly Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Full sun, container plant, slow spread, Look for native Armeria maritima
Asclepias asstd. Butterfly Weed Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Abundant nectar; Caterpillar host plant (monarch fav. but rare in PNW)
Aster asstd. Aster Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Choose single-flowered varieties for bees, light, dark pink & purple flowers
Aurinia saxatilis Basket of Gold Butterfly Evergreen groundcover Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Mounding plant with bright yellow flower clusters, seaside tolerant
Begonia Begonia Hummingbird Annual flower High Summer - June, July, & August Shade loving; upright, trailing waxleaf varieties all available
Berberis asstd. Barberry Bee Deciduous shrub Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Very tough, easy to grow, drought tolerant with red berries in fall
Borago officinalis Borage Bee, Butterfly Annual flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Bee’s favorite food. Easy to grow, edible blue flowers. Will self-sow.
Buddleia Butterfly Bush Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Sky sells non-invasive varieties, honey-like fragrance, purple flowers
Calendula Calendula Bee, Butterfly Annual flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Can re-seed, thrives in cooler weather, blooms spring & fall
Calocedrus Incense Cedar Butterfly Evergreen tree Foliage plants - No blooms Caterpillar host plant
Camellia sasanqua Camellia Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Autumn to Early Winter - September, October, November & December Fall-blooming Many colors; some fragrant
Campanula sp. Campanula sp. Bellflower Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, part shade, beautiful periwinkle bell-shaped blooms
Campsis Trumpet Vine Hummingbird Perennial vine High Summer - June, July, & August Vigorous growth habit; tubular orange or red flowers
Caryopteris Bluebeard Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, long blooming blue/purple flowers, aromatic leaves
Ceanothus California lilac Butterfly, Hummingbird Evergreen native shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Drought tolerant, blue/violet flowers, caterpillar host plant
Chaenomeles Flowering Quince Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Brightly colored flowers before the foliage emerges
Chrysanthemum Daisy Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Wide variety in species, bees may use pyrethrum to ward off mites
Cirsium Thistle Bee, Butterfly PNW Native Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, caterpillar host plant, deer/rabbit resistant, dry & rocky soil
Clarkia Clarkia Butterfly NW Native wildflower High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, part shade, pink/red flowers, available as seeds at Sky
Clematis armandii Evergreen Clematis Hummingbird Evergreen vine Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Fragrant white to light pink flowers, beautiful foliage
Clematis asstd. Clematis Hummingbird Deciduous vine Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Dwarf to large; rainbow of colors available; many will rebloom
Cleome asstd. Spider Flower Bee, Hummingbird Annual flower High Summer - June, July, & August Purple & pink flowers, 4-6’ tall; foliage has unique herbaceous aroma
Coreopsis grandiflora Coreopsis Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, golden yellow flowers, drought-tolerant
Coriander sativum Coriander/Cilantro Bee Annual herb High Summer - June, July, & August Self-sowing, allow plants to flower (bolt) for pollinators, white flowers
Cornus Dogwood Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous tree Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Many white or pink flowers; good fall color, caterpillar host plant
Corylus sp. Hazelnut, Filbert Bee Deciduous native tree Late Winter - January & February Edible nuts, ornamental varieties available; takes partial shade
Cosmos Cosmo Bee, Butterfly Annual flower High Summer - June, July, & August Long-blooming, easy to grow, makes a great meadow plant!
Crataegus asstd. Hawthorne Bee, Hummingbird Deciduous tree Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Lovely, multi trunked,urban gardens
Crocosmia Coppertips Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Naturalizing bulb, tall spikes of bright red, orange, yellow flowers
Crocus Crocus Bee Bulb Late Winter - January & February Great early bloomer; can naturalize; good in containers
Cyclamen, hardy Cyclamen Bee Bulb Late Winter - January & February Naturalizing bulb, unique pink/red/white flowers, takes light shade
Cynara cardunculus Cardoon Bee Deciduous perennial High Summer - June, July, & August Silvery foliage, artichoke-like flower, 5’ tall edible. Full sun & reg. water
Dahlia Dahlia Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, dwarf to dinnerplate sizes, great late summer show
Delphinium Larkspur Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Spikes of blue, pink, purple, or white fairy flowers
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William Bee, Butterfly Biennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Short-lived but, can re-seed, tolerates light shade, white, pink, red flowers
Dicentra formosa Bleeding Heart Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Lovely spring ephemeral flower, Caterpillar host plant
Digitalis Foxglove Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Tall spires of tubular pink, fuchsia, white and peach fairy flowers
Echinacea purpurea Coneflower Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, red, orange, yellow, pink blooms, seeds attract birds
Echinops asstd. Globe Thistle Bee, Butterfly Perennial Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Metallic blue flowers, gray green foliage, very cool looking plant
Epilobium Fireweed Butterfly Native wildflower High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, 8 ft, fast growing, caterpillar host plant
Erica carnea Winter Heather Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Late Winter - January & February Compact sub - shrub grown for foliage interest as well as flowers
Eryngium asstd. Blue Sea Holly Bee, Butterfly Perennial Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Unusual metallic blue flowers, attracts beautiful native wasp sp.
Fuchsia Fuchsia Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Annual & Perennial Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Hanging baskets will be hummer magnets all summer
Fuchsia, hardy Fuchsia Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Upright, hardy relative of hanging annual fuchsia, delicate flowers
Gaillardia Blanket Flower Butterfly Perennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Full sun, can self-seed with some hybridized variations
Gaultheria shallon Salal Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Native groundcover High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Edible fruit July-September, slow growing, white bell-shaped flowers
Gladiolus Gladiola Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Bulb producing dwarf or tall spikes of flowers, rainbow of colors
Grevillea Grevillea Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Autumn to Early Winter - September, October, November & December Drought tolerant; orange-red flowers fall through spring
Hamamelis Witch Hazel Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Winter - January & February Spidery yellow, orange, or red blooms, great fall color
Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ Lemon Queen Sunflower Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Tall sunflower w/ many small lemon yellow flowers in early fall
Helianthus annuus Sunflower Bee, Butterfly Annual flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, avoid non-allergenic varieties, caterpillar host plant
Heuchera Coral Bells Bee, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Year-round evergreen foliage, bell shaped pink/white blooms
Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, white, pink, red, purple, lavender tropical blooms
Iberis Candytuft Butterfly Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Full sun, some re-blooming varieties, good in rock gardens/sandy soil
Kniphofia Red Hot Poker Plant Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Spectacular firework blooms of red shading to yellow, long blooming
Lantana Lantana Butterfly, Hummingbird Annual flower High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, full sun, lots of color varieties, avoid foliage sap
Lavandula asstd. Lavender Bee, Butterfly Evergreen perennial High Summer - June, July, & August Well draining soil, do not fertilize, bees especially love Spanish varieties
Liatris Gayfeather/Blazing Star Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, North American native plant with tall purple flower spikes
Linarea purpurea Toadflax Bee Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Dry Mediterranean plant, 3’, violet/pink flowers, self sows
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Moisture-loving with flame-red blooms on tall flower spikes
Lonicera Honeysuckle Butterfly, Hummingbird Vine/shrub High Summer - June, July, & August Evergreen/Deciduous available; many fragrant; tubular flowers
Lupinus Lupine Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Full sun, can self-seed, deer resistant, caterpillar host plant
Mahonia Oregon Grape Butterfly, Hummingbird Evergreen Native shrub Late Winter - January & February Shade, yellow blooms, summer blue berries for songbirds
Malus Apple, Crabapple Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous fruit tree High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May White/pink flowers, good fall color; caterpillar host plant
Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm Bee Deciduous herb High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, easy to grow, self-seeding, small white/purple blooms
Mentha piperita Peppermint Bee, Butterfly Deciduous herb High Summer - June, July, & August Best mint for pollen, allow plants to flower for pollinator benefit!
Mimulus Monkeyflower Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Long blooming, full sun, moist soil, caterpillar host plant
Monarda Bee Balm Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, choose mildew resistant varieties
Nepeta asstd. Catmint (Not Catnip) Bee, Butterfly Deciduous perennial High Summer - June, July, & August Long blooming, easy to grow, full sun, great filler plant
Oreganum officinalis Oregano Bee, Butterfly Deciduous herb Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Both culinary & ornamental varieties. Self sows nicely
Oxalis oregano Redwood Sorrel Bee PNW Native groundcover Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Shade, can tolerate wet & dry soil conditions, white blooms
Papaver somniferum Breadseed Poppy Bee Annual flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Re-seeding pink, purple, red & white flowers, attractive seed pods
Penstemon Beard Tongue Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, attractive tubular flowers in a rainbow of colors
Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage Bee Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, drought tolerant, architectural lavender flower spikes
Phaseolus coccineus Scarlet Runner Bean Hummingbird Annual vine High Summer - June, July, & August Ornamental or vegetable, vigorous, bright red flowers
Philadelphus Mock Orange Butterfly Deciduous shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Fragrant white flowers, North American native plant
Phlox paniculata Phlox Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Groundcover varieties available, long blooming, flower clusters
Phygelius Cape Fuchsia Hummingbird Perennial flower High Summer - June, July, & August Sun-loving, like true fuchsias, peachy/pink tubular flowers
Pieris japonica Lily of the Valley Shrub Bee, Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Late Winter - January & February Long blooming bell flowers, tolerates light shade, great in containers
Pinus Pine Butterfly Evergreen tree Foliage plants - No blooms Caterpillar host plant
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir Butterfly Evergreen tree Foliage plants - No blooms Caterpillar host plant
Pulmonaria Lungwort Bee Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Shade-loving plant, dappled foliage, blue/pink flowers
Rhododendron Rhododendron, Azalea Butterfly, Hummingbird Evergreen shrub High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Shade loving, some sun varieties, caterpillar host plant
Ribes sanguineum Flowering Currant Hummingbird Deciduous Native shrub Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Elegant, red, white & pink blooms, best for pollinators is native red
Rosa Wild Rose Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Avoid sterile roses w/ low pollen & fragrance, caterpillar host plant
Rosemarinus officinalis Rosemary Bee, Hummingbird Evergreen herb High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Full sun, good drainage; trailing & upright forms available
Rubus idaeus Raspberry Bee, Hummingbird Deciduous fruit shrub Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Everbearing types long blooming June-October
Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry Bee, Hummingbird Deciduous edible shrub Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Native relative of raspberry; pink flowers; songbirds love fruit
Rudbeckia Black Eyed Susan Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Long blooming, self-seeds vigorously, attracts birds, fast-growing
Salix asstd. Willow Bee, Butterfly Deciduous tree Late Winter to Early Spring - Late Feb & March Great pollen, short bloom, only 10 to 15 days, tolerates wet
Salvia asstd. Salvia Bee, Hummingbird Annual & Perennial High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, purple/white/pink flowers, some long-blooming varieties
Salvia officinalis Culinary Sage Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Evergreen herb High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Soft gray green foliage; see other salvias below, avoid ‘Berggarten’ sp.
Sambucus Elderberry Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous edible shrub High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Short bloom, great fall color, fast growing, tasty berries
Sarcococca Sweet Box Hummingbird Evergreen shrub Late Winter - January & February Shade loving, very fragrant white flowers
Scabiosa Pincushion Flower Bee, Butterfly Perennial flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Full sun, deadhead for more blooms, periwinkle blue flowers
Sedum spectabilis Autumn Joy Sedum Bee, Butterfly Perennial succulent Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Pink flowers, drought-tolerant, tough, caterpillar host plant
Senecio Dusty Miller/Angel Wings Butterfly Perennial foliage High Summer - June, July, & August Full sun, yellow blooms in 2nd year, caterpillar host plant
Solidago Goldenrod Bee, Butterfly Native Perennial Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Full sun, tall, graceful & abundant golden yellow flowers
Spiraea Spiraea Bee, Butterfly Deciduous shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Spring/summer blooming var., deer resistant, look for native S. douglasii
Syringa Lilac Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Short blooming but worth it, insanely fragrant blooms, lush green foliage
Tagetes patula French Marigold Butterfly Annual flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Great edging plant, orange, golden, & variegated blooms
Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Bee, Butterfly Edible weed High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Long blooming (as we all know) great caterpillar host plant
Teuchrium chamaedrys Germander Bee Evergreen perennial herb High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Dark green foliage; cut back hard in March, then allow to flower
Thymus, asstd. Thyme Bee, Butterfly Evergreen herb High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Full sun, edible & groundcover varieties, adorable purple flowers
Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium Butterfly Annual flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Long-blooming red/orange/yellow, can self-seed, edible, caterpillar host
Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle Butterfly, Hummingbird Native Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Caterpillar host plant, non-stinging varieties also effective, not sold at Sky
Vaccinium Blueberry Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Deciduous fruit shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Attractive foliage with brilliant fall color, delicious berries
Verbena Verbena Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Perennial flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Long blooming, full sun, deer & rabbit resistant, pink, white, purple
Verbena Verbena Butterfly Annual herb Late Summer to Early Autumn - Late August & September Long blooming, full sun, deer & rabbit resistant, rainbow of colors
Viola Violet Bee, Butterfly Annual/edible flower High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Spring/fall bloom, caterpillar host plant, self-seed, shade tolerant
Weigela Weigela Hummingbird Deciduous shrub Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Low maintenance, pink, white, or red flowers with attractive foliage
Wisteria Wisteria Hummingbird Deciduous vine High Spring - End of March, April, & Early May Abundant & fragrant sprays of violet, pink, or white flower spikes
Zinnia elegans Zinnia Butterfly, Hummingbird Annual flower Late Spring to Early Summer - May & June Long blooming, rainbow of colors, various heights, great cut flower!