Are you tired of constantly fighting weeds in your garden? What if you could combat those pesky invaders while also supporting essential pollinators? It’s time to revolutionize your gardening approach with plants that serve a dual purpose.
Here are 15 pollinator-friendly plants that will transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem. These powerhouse species not only crowd out unwanted weeds but also provide crucial resources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop is a pollinator magnet with its tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers. This aromatic herb spreads quickly, forming dense clumps that effectively suppress weeds. Its licorice-scented leaves add a unique flavor to teas and culinary dishes.
Planting tips:
- Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Water regularly during establishment, then reduce the frequency
2. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This vibrant orange milkweed species is a crucial host plant for monarch butterflies. Butterfly weed’s deep taproot and bushy growth habit help it outcompete nearby weeds. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun and well-draining soil
- Avoid disturbing the taproot when transplanting
- Be patient, as it may take a year to establish fully
3. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
A classic prairie flower, purple coneflower attracts a wide range of pollinators with its showy blooms. Its sturdy stems and spreading habit create a natural weed barrier. This long-blooming perennial provides food for birds long after the flowers fade.
Planting tips:
- Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade
- Space plants 1-3 feet apart, depending on the variety
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
4. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee balm’s whorls of tubular flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and bees. This aromatic mint family member spreads via underground rhizomes, quickly filling in bare spots where weeds might otherwise take hold.
Its fragrant leaves can be used to make a soothing tea.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade with moist, rich soil
- Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew
- Divide clumps every 2-3 years to control spread
5. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
These cheerful yellow daisies bloom prolifically, creating a dense carpet of foliage that smothers weeds. Black-eyed Susans self-seed readily, filling in gaps and providing long-lasting color. Their seeds are a valuable food source for birds in fall and winter.
Planting tips:
- Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost
- Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers
6. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow’s fern-like foliage forms a thick mat that effectively suppresses weeds. Its flat-topped flower clusters attract a diverse array of beneficial insects. This hardy perennial thrives in poor soil and drought conditions, making it ideal for challenging garden spots.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun with well-draining soil
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to prevent center die-out
7. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause allergies. Its late-season blooms provide crucial nectar for migrating butterflies. Goldenrod’s vigorous growth and spreading habit help it outcompete weeds in naturalized areas.
Planting tips:
- Choose a sunny location with average to poor soil
- Plant in spring or fall, spacing 1-4 feet apart
- Cut back in late winter to encourage bushy growth
8. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Despite its name, Joe Pye weed is a desirable native plant that attracts numerous pollinators. Its tall stature and large leaves shade out competing weeds. The mauve flower clusters provide a striking backdrop in late summer gardens.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade with moist soil
- Space plants 3-4 feet apart
- Provide support for tall varieties in windy areas
9. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Blazing star’s tall spikes of purple flowers are a favorite of butterflies and bees. Its grass-like foliage forms dense clumps that prevent weed growth. This drought-tolerant prairie native adds vertical interest to any pollinator garden.
Planting tips:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil
- Plant corms 2-3 inches deep and 12-15 inches apart
- Water deeply but infrequently once established
10. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot’s lavender flowers attract a wide range of pollinators. Its spreading habit and aromatic foliage help suppress weeds naturally. This native plant is more resistant to powdery mildew than its cultivated cousins.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide good air circulation to prevent disease
- Divide clumps every 2-3 years to control spread
11. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
New England aster’s prolific purple blooms provide crucial late-season nectar for pollinators. Its bushy growth habit helps crowd out weeds in the garden. This native aster is an important food source for migrating monarch butterflies.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun with average to moist soil
- Pinch back stems in early summer for bushier growth
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
12. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp milkweed’s clusters of pink flowers are a magnet for monarchs and other butterflies. Its deep root system and upright growth help it compete with weeds. This native milkweed thrives in moist areas where other plants might struggle.
Planting tips:
- Choose a spot with full sun and consistently moist soil
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Avoid disturbing roots once established
13. Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
This native legume boasts unique cylindrical flower heads that attract a variety of pollinators. Purple prairie clover’s deep taproot helps it outcompete weeds while improving soil fertility. Its fine-textured foliage adds visual interest to the garden.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun with well-draining soil
- Sow seeds directly in the garden in spring
- Be patient, as it may take a year to establish fully
14. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Wild geranium’s delicate pink flowers bloom in spring, attracting early-season pollinators. Its spreading habit and attractive foliage create a natural ground cover that suppresses weeds.
This shade-tolerant native thrives in woodland garden settings.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial to full shade with rich, moist soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to rejuvenate
15. Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Lanceleaf coreopsis produces a profusion of cheerful yellow flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Its compact growth habit and self-seeding nature help it fill in gaps and prevent weed establishment.
This long-blooming perennial adds a bright splash of color to any pollinator garden.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun with well-draining soil
- Space plants 15-18 inches apart
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers
By incorporating these pollinator-friendly, weed-fighting plants into your garden, you’ll create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that supports local ecosystems. Remember to avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as these can harm beneficial insects.
With a little patience and the right plant choices, you’ll soon have a thriving garden that’s the envy of the neighborhood – and a haven for pollinators!
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.