Pollinator gardens are not just beautiful additions to our landscapes—they’re vital to the health of our ecosystems. Our interactive, vibrant gardens provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for pollinators, helping to ensure that plants—both wild and cultivated—continue to thrive.
In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the best pollinator plants—whether you’re drawn to vibrant wildflowers, aromatic herbs, or even native perennials—and highlight the best choices for attracting and sustaining a diverse range of pollinators. If you’re a gardening enthusiast and want to attract pollinators to your garden, we’ll guide you through the steps to build a thriving pollinator-friendly oasis in your own backyard.
Pollinator Favorites for Every Spot
Here are some of our favorite varieties from our collection of pollinator-friendly plants — perfect for every corner of your garden. Whether you’re working with full sun, shady spots, or looking for native selections, there’s something here that pollinators (and gardeners!) will love.
Lantana Luscious® Goldengate™
Lantana is a sun-loving, pollinator-friendly plant that thrives in our warm climate, delivering vibrant color from spring through fall. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we offer several standout varieties to suit any garden space. The Little Lucky series in 4-inch pots is compact and early blooming—perfect for containers, small beds, or tidy borders. It grows 10–12 inches tall and wide, with a low seed set that encourages continuous blooms and attracts butterflies and bees.
For larger spaces, try the Bandana series in quart pots, growing up to 26 inches with a spreading habit and excellent heat tolerance. Looking for bold impact? The award-winning Luscious series from Proven Winners® thrives in tough conditions, with a mounded habit and heights of up to 30 inches. All three varieties are heat-hardy, low-maintenance, and great for supporting pollinators in your garden.
Itsy Bitsy® Peach Miniature Rose
This charming little rose from Monrovia® blooms abundantly throughout the season, with deep yellow and orange flowers kissed with soft pink blushes. Ideal for gardens or containers, it offers standout beauty that is deciduous and full of personality!
Blue Balloon® Bluebeard
With a naturally spherical habit, this plant resembles a balloon when in full bloom, creating a striking presence in the garden. Its deep blue flowers add vibrant color to perennial borders and wildlife gardens, while the highly fragrant, rich green foliage with silvery undersides adds texture and interest. Vigorous and adaptable, this deciduous variety may die back to the ground, but reliably re-sprouts each spring.
Grace N’ Grit™ Pink BiColor Shrub Rose
This stunning shrub produces bouquets of pink and white bicolor roses, blooming relentlessly throughout the summer. A fuss-free, disease-resistant, own-root rose, it thrives in both humid climates and dry, hot summers. Its self-cleaning nature makes maintenance easy, while its resilient blooms stand strong through our summer season. Perfect as a dynamic hedge, barrier, or accent plant, this deciduous rose is an outstanding addition to any garden.
Astilbe – Visions Series in Red, Pink, and White
For shady gardens, Astilbe offers a pollinator-friendly solution with showy plumes that attract bees. Our selection includes the Vision Series, a drought-tolerant variety reaching 14–16 inches tall, and the Younique Series, which is known for producing an abundance of blooms. Younique astilbes are both heat and drought tolerant, growing 12–16 inches tall and spreading 17–18 inches wide, making them ideal for woodland edges or shaded borders.
Salvia
Salvia, a native perennial favorite, is a powerhouse pollinator plant—especially attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. We offer a broad color selection in 1-gallon and 10-inch pots, including reds, whites, purples, and bicolors. Salvia greggii, particularly the Mirage Series, is a compact option at 12–14 inches tall and 14–16 inches wide, known for its extended blooming period, low maintenance needs, and excellent heat tolerance. It comes in a range of colors from classic red to soft pinks and purples. The traditional red Salvia greggii, also known as Autumn Sage, can grow 2–3 feet tall and is a magnet for hummingbirds.
Our Salvia farinacea hybrid, Mystic Spires, is another standout, especially for those seeking vivid purple blooms. Growing 18–24 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide, it holds its color longer than many other varieties and is a reliable choice for garden beds and containers alike.
Coneflower
Coneflower, also known as Echinacea, is a standout choice for any pollinator garden—and it’s native to North America, making it especially well-suited for local ecosystems. These hardy perennials are loved not only for their bold, daisy-like blooms and long-lasting summer color, but also for their ability to attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Coneflowers thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established, making them an easy, low-maintenance option for gardeners of all levels. Plus, their seed heads provide food for birds in the fall and winter, further supporting local wildlife. By planting coneflowers, you’re not just adding beauty to your landscape—you’re helping sustain a healthy, pollinator-friendly environment.
Creating a pollinator garden is one of the most rewarding ways to support the environment while adding natural beauty to your outdoor space. By combining a variety of pollinator-friendly plants—like vibrant Coneflowers, Salvia, Astilbe, Lantana, and more—you’ll provide essential food sources and shelter for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife. A diverse mix of colors, bloom times, and plant heights not only enhances your garden’s visual appeal but also ensures continuous support for pollinators throughout the seasons. With thoughtful planting, your garden becomes more than just a beautiful retreat—it transforms into a thriving ecosystem that plays a vital role in sustaining biodiversity and promoting a healthier planet.
Garden Project Plans
(Scroll down for the full Backyard Habitat Guide!)
Looking for inspiration to create your own pollinator paradise? Discover the stunning garden ideas in the beautifully curated guide from our friends at Monrovia®, a trusted name in high-quality plants. This helpful resource is packed with tips on selecting the best pollinator-friendly varieties and offers creative ways to structure and pair plants for a harmonious and visually striking garden design. Whether you’re starting from scratch or enhancing an existing space, our tailored guide from Monrovia® will help you craft a garden that not only attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but also showcases a thoughtfully planned, colorful landscape you’ll enjoy all season long. Dive into the guide and start planning your perfect pollinator-friendly retreat today!
Birding Products
Transform your backyard into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly oasis with Calloway’s and Cornelius birding and gardening essentials. Creating a space that welcomes birds not only brings the joy of birdsong to your garden but also plays a vital role in supporting essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. Birds help maintain a healthy garden ecosystem by controlling pests and promoting plant diversity, working in harmony with pollinators to keep your garden thriving. At Calloway’s, we offer everything you need to build a flourishing habitat—from bird feeders, seed blends, and suet cakes to cozy birdhouses that provide shelter and nesting spots. Combine these with a colorful selection of pollinator-attracting plants, and you’ll cultivate a balanced, beautiful landscape that supports biodiversity and natural beauty throughout the seasons. Visit Calloway’s or Cornelius today for expert guidance and everything you need to bring your pollinator paradise to life.
Backyard Habitat Flipbook
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here to help with all your spring gardening activities! Visit us today and explore our stunning collection of vibrant blooms, pretty perennials, impressive trees and shrubs, stylish pottery, lush indoor plants, and so much more! Shop any of our 29 neighborhood stores, where we have served our loyal customers for over 38 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!