Planting for Pollinators: How to Grow a Garden That Gives Back

Garden flowers in bloom beside a sunny path, with a butterfly and a bird in the background

Every June, gardeners across the country pause to celebrate National Pollinator Week—and this year, from June 16–22, it’s our chance to honor the tiny workers that make our gardens bloom: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and more.

At TLC here in Zone 5 Illinois, we know that planting for pollinators isn’t just a feel-good project—it’s a vital one. Nearly 90% of flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce, including many of the fruits, veggies, and herbs we enjoy in our own backyards. If you’ve ever sipped mint tea, crunched into a juicy apple, or snipped basil for pasta night, you’ve got pollinators to thank!

So how do you create a garden that actually works for pollinators—and not just looks pretty? Let’s dig into it.

1. Choose Native Plants First

Pollinators have evolved alongside native plants, making them the most nourishing and accessible source of nectar and pollen. In Illinois, favorites include:

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Bee balm (Monarda)

Wild bergamot

Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa and Asclepias incarnata) for monarch butterflies

Blazing star (Liatris)

These beauties not only thrive in our climate, but they bloom at different times throughout the season, keeping your garden buzzing spring through fall.

Monarch butterfly on orange wildflowers in a soft-focus meadow

2. Go for Variety—Color, Shape, and Bloom Time

Pollinators are selective! Bees are especially drawn to blue, purple, and yellow blooms. Butterflies prefer flat, fragrant flowers with landing pads. And hummingbirds? They’re laser-focused on bright red, tubular flowers.

Try to include a rainbow of shapes and colors to cover all your pollinator bases:

For Bees: Agastache, Russian Sage, Coneflowers, and Catmint

For Butterflies: Phlox, Asters, Joe Pye Weed, and Butterfly Bush

For Hummingbirds: Salvia, Penstemon, Coral Bells, Native Honeysuckle, and Cardinal Flower

Also—plan for three-season blooms to ensure your garden stays helpful and active from spring to fall.

3. Skip the Pesticides

Even "natural" or "organic" sprays can be deadly to pollinators. The best way to manage pests in a pollinator garden? Let nature help. Planting a mix of species invites beneficial insects and keeps your garden in balance. A little nibble here and there is a sign that your garden is alive and thriving.

4. Add Host Plants, Not Just Nectar Plants

It's easy to focus on nectar-rich blooms, but many pollinators (like butterflies) need specific host plants to lay their eggs. Monarchs need milkweed. Black swallowtails love parsley, fennel, and dill. Don’t deadhead or over-tidy these areas—let nature do her thing.

5. Make a Bee Bath

Even pollinators need a drink. A shallow dish with stones for perching, filled with fresh water, creates a safe and simple watering hole. Place it in a sunny, sheltered spot near your blooms and refresh it every few days.

6. Keep It Wild and Welcoming

Dead plant stems, brush piles, and even small patches of bare ground provide shelter for solitary bees and butterflies. Resist the urge to tidy everything up—your pollinator guests will thank you.

Three people kneel by a small birdbath in a flower garden, pointing at the water.

Let's Grow Together

At TLC, we’re always here to help you build a more beautiful, buzzing garden. Stop in to see our full selection of pollinator-friendly plants or join one of our summer workshops.

Whether you’re gardening in a big backyard, a small patio, or just a window box, every bloom makes a difference.

Let’s plant with purpose—and give the pollinators a reason to keep coming back.

👉 Watch for my YouTube video later this month on how to plant a butterfly garden—I'll walk you through design tips, top plant picks, and show you exactly how to turn any space into a haven for butterflies!

🌸 Happy Pollinator Week! 🌼

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