What can I plant to encourage pollinators?

image from urbangardeningspace.com 

Morning here in Dougherty Iowa, at 9:30 AM the temperature is at 9F(-11C) Weathermen saying this is the coldest morning we will have for this week and next.  It is going to be cloudy, so it will not be as nice as it was yesterday.  But it looks like clouds come with warm temperatures.  I suppose the moisture from the snow is going into the air, which will lead to the clouds.  High today of        20F(-7C).  At least it is above zero and no wind chill below zero.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for Thursday Feb 5 Evelyn wrote yesterday “It's very warm out there today, do I'll be doing inside jobs this afternoon.”  There high today will be 79F(26C) and that is only 3 degrees warmer than their average.  So, I would say it would be a day to be outside.  Stay cool, stay safe.
 
I thought you might like to see what pollinators would like in the garden.  What I found interesting is that
Fun Fact        Not just bees! Butterflies, bats, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and even moths are all pollinators.  Give some thought to planting these in your garden if you don’t all ready. 

Native and seasonal flower garden design to feed pollinators from early spring to late fall.  Written By:  Catherine Boeckmann
Our Pollinator Paradise Flower Garden Layout is both beautiful and purposeful. This garden design focuses on open, native flowers that are easy for pollinators to access for a vibrant garden—like lavender, echinacea, and borage. Attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies while providing colorful blooms from early spring to autumn!
Plants That Attract Pollinators (By Gardening Zone)
Fun Fact        Not just bees! Butterflies, bats, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and even moths are all pollinators.
The Pollinator Paradise Garden Plan
This pollinator garden layout includes common pollinator-friendly flowers in a variety of shapes, heights, and colors—from tubular foxgloves and lavender for long-tongued bees to flat-flowered yarrow and coneflowers for easier access. Blue, purple, and violet flowers are emphasized, as these colors are highly visible to pollinators and signal rich nectar sources.
Early-season blooms like crocus and pulmonaria help pollinators emerging from hibernation, while late-season plants like borage and dahlias sustain species flying into autumn. The center “lawn” is allowed to grow long, providing structural diversity with daisies and clover that supplement pollen and nectar for bees and hoverflies.
The Pollinator Plant List
Plant  Bloom Time  Height            Notes for Pollinators
Lavender      Mid–Late Summer 18–24”          Tubular flowers attract long-tongued bees
Alyssum        Spring–Fall   6–12” Great for hoverflies; small florets accessible to many pollinators
Echinacea     Mid–Late Summer 24–36”          Flat-topped; attracts bees and butterflies
Pulmonaria  Early Spring 12–18”          Early nectar source for emerging pollinators
Yarrow          Summer        18–24”          Flat clusters; accessible for many bee species
Agastache     Mid–Late Summer 18–30”          Tubular flowers for bees; fragrant
Crocus           Early Spring 4–6”   Early-season pollen and nectar
Borage           Summer        18–24”          Attracts bees; edible flowers
Poached Egg Plant Spring–Summer     18–24”          Ideal for hoverflies and small pollinators
Foxglove       Summer        36–48”          Tubular; preferred by long-tongued bees
Dahlia Late Summer–Fall  24–48”          Simple flower forms accessible to pollinators
Monarda (Bee Balm)         Summer        24–36”          Tubular flowers; attracts hummingbirds and bees
 
Provide continuous blooms from early spring to late fall by planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season flowers.
Plant taller tubular flowers (foxgloves, lavender, agastache) toward the back or center for structure.
Place flat, open flowers (yarrow, coneflowers) in clusters for easy access.
Group early bloomers (crocus, pulmonaria) to support early pollinators.
Allow the center lawn area to grow long, with daisies and clover for habitat and additional nectar.
Some species, like borage and dahlias, are great for late-season pollinators.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during establishment.
Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage succession and extend flowering.
Gardener Spotlight: Alex’s Experience
“I planted this pollinator garden in my backyard last spring and was amazed at the activity. Early in the season, I spotted bumblebees on the crocuses and hoverflies on the alyssum. By summer, lavender, echinacea, and foxgloves were buzzing constantly. The garden not only looked gorgeous but also felt alive—every day I saw new pollinators exploring different flowers.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/pollinator-garden-design
 Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse