Summer Blooms That Bring Bees, Butterflies, and More to Your Garden

Your garden is more than a place to plant pretty flowers and yummy vegetables — it also can become an environment that supports beneficial insects. By choosing the right types of plants, you can turn your garden into a lively outdoor space filled with buzzing bees and beautiful butterflies. Get to planting and welcome these friendly bugs to your garden this summer!

Bee-Friendly Blooms

Bees are essential pollinators and attracting them to your garden will help your flowers and vegetables thrive. Just like people, bees love fragrant flowers. This makes lavender a top choice to plant in your garden, as it will help draw bees in.

Sunflowers, with their large, pollen-rich blooms, are another excellent option for both attracting bees and adding some charm to your garden. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, consider planting echinacea. These vibrant coneflowers attract butterflies and bees alike, turning your garden into a buzzing area for bug activity.

Butterfly Magnet Plants

Flowers add beauty to your garden, but nothing will make it more picturesque than butterflies.

True to its name, the butterfly bush is a magnet for these winged bugs. Its clusters of tiny flowers are a rich nectar source, attracting a variety of butterfly species. Phlox is another excellent choice because its vibrant colors act as a beacon for butterflies in the area. It's also a low-maintenance plant, and if you choose a perennial, you can count on your phlox to come back every year and invite a new host of butterflies.

If you’re after monarch butterflies in particular, milkweed is a must for your garden. Milkweed serves as a host plant for monarch butterfly larvae, so by planting it, you’re directly supporting the lifecycle of these beautiful creatures. But be careful — milkweed can be toxic to pets, so do your research before planting it in your yard.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Every garden needs some good filler plants, and you can choose some that also support a healthy environment for caterpillars. Herbs like parsley, dill, and fennel are caterpillar favorites, and by planting them in your garden, you can supply a steady food source for caterpillars to munch on before they turn into butterflies.

While not typically thought of as a garden plant, nettle also supports the butterfly lifecycle by providing a habitat for caterpillars to grow and develop. Adding this plant to your garden will support biodiversity, and choosing a variety that doesn’t sting, like white dead-nettle, will make it safer for you to handle.

Firefly-Friendly Flora

No summer evening is complete without the glow of fireflies, and specific plants can help create an environment where they thrive.

Goldenrod is a wonderful addition to any garden, and fireflies love this yellow bloom because it provides cover and acts as a food source for firefly larvae. If purple is more your color, asters are another option that supports fireflies and other beneficial insects. These vibrant flowers are sure to make your garden stand out during the day and help your yard shine at night.

Flowers Ladybugs Love

Ladybugs aren’t just adorable — they’re also a gardener’s best friend. This is because they eat other garden pests like aphids and mites. To encourage these spotted insects to call your garden home, consider planting marigolds. These bright flowers are a top choice for ladybugs because they provide nectar for adult ladybugs and a safe habitat for their larvae.

Much like caterpillars, ladybugs love dill and fennel. These aromatic herbs provide another source of pollen and nectar for ladybugs to feed on. Cosmos are another elegant flower that ladybugs find irresistible. Plant these tall, daisy-like flowers in your garden to add visual interest and create a ladybug haven in your yard. 

Ready for Other Bugs to Buzz Off?

Not every bug should be welcome in your garden. Contact us to protect your home and yard against unwanted pests.