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Great Pollinator Plants for Arizona

Attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden

Pollinator Plants, Butterfly Plants, Hummingbird Plants, Bee Plants, Western US Plants, Arizona Native Plants, Native Plants

Pollinators are nearly as important as sun, soil and water in both flowering plant reproduction and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, about 80% of all flowering plants and over three-quarters of the staple crop plants that feed humankind, rely on animal pollinators. Primary animal pollinators include ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, birds, hummingbirds and moths. Pollinator populations are, however, on the decline for various reasons including habitat loss, introduction and spread of invasive plant species, misuse of pesticides and disease. Providing wildflower-rich habitat is the most significant action you can take to support these important pollinators.

What You Can Do for Pollinators:

  • Grow native flowering plants – Adapted to local soils and climates, native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees are usually the best sources of nectar and pollen for native pollinators. Most native plants require little irrigation, bloom without fertilizers, and are unlikely to become weedy.
  • Plant in the sun – Your pollinator-friendly plants should receive full sun throughout most of the day. Butterfly adults generally feed only in the sun.
  • Provide long-lasting blooms – Sustain pollinators throughout the seasons. Plant a variety of plants that flower at different times providing nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season.
  • Plant in groups – Clumps of flowering plants will attract more pollinators than single plants scattered in the landscape.
  • No insecticides – Insecticides have the potential to poison or kill pollinators.

Here is a list of Arizona native plants that are very attractive to pollinators and are well-suited for plantings in gardens.

Guide Information

Native Plants United States, Southwest, Arizona
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees

Great Pollinator Plants for Arizona

Achillea millefolium (White Yarrow)
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo Bush)
Asclepias asperula (Antelope-Horns Milkweed)
Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed)
Baccharis salicifolia (Mule Fat)
Chamaenerion angustifolium (Fireweed)
Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow)
Cleome lutea (Yellow Beeplant)
Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Beeplant)
Dalea candida (White Prairie Clover)
Ericameria nauseosa (Rubber Rabbitbrush)
Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat)
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
Euthamia occidentalis (Western Goldentop)
Ferocactus wislizenii (Fishhook Barrel Cactus)
Gaillardia aristata (Great Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia pulchella (Firewheel)
Helianthus annuus (Common Sunflower)
Heliotropium curassavicum (Salt Heliotrope)
Justicia californica (Chuparosa)
Larrea tridentata (Creosote Bush)
Linum lewisii (Prairie Flax)
Lupinus argenteus (Silvery Lupine)
Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm)
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
Parkinsonia florida (Blue Paloverde)
Penstemon eatonii (Firecracker Penstemon)
Penstemon palmeri (Scented Penstemon)
Penstemon strictus (Rocky Mountain Beardtongue)
Phacelia tanacetifolia (Fiddleneck)
Prosopis velutina (Velvet Mesquite)
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)
Purshia tridentata (Antelope Bitterbrush)
Ratibida columnifera (Mexican Hat Plant)
Rhus trilobata (Skunkbush Sumac)
Ribes aureum (Clove Currant)
Rosa woodsii (Western Wild Rose)
Solidago canadensis (Canada Goldenrod)
Sphaeralcea ambigua (Desert Mallow)
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (White Panicle Aster)
Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells)
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Arizona
Guides with
Arizona Arizona
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Native Plants United States, Southwest, Arizona
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Arizona
Guides with
Arizona Arizona

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