Outdoor Living and Decor
Seven container flowers offer pollinators food in small spaces
Even a small patio can offer useful nectar and pollen. Choose flowers suited to your light and climate, and combine different bloom times and flower shapes for visiting insects.
Native asters bring open, small flower heads to fall containers, when many summer blooms have faded. Choose a regional species and check its mature size before settling on a pot.
Mountain mint clusters provide many small feeding sites in a sunny container. Give it roomy space and well-drained soil, and check the species’ growth habit before choosing a pot.
Purple coneflower suits a sunny, roomy pot, where bees may forage on its prominent blooms. A deep, wide container supports its roots and height and helps keep stems stable in wind.
Lavender can draw bees and other insects with its flower spikes in a hot, sunny spot. Use a pot with drainage and free-draining mix; persistently damp soil can cause trouble.
Many salvias have tubular flowers that bees and hummingbird moths can reach, and some rebloom after trimming. Choose a variety suited to your region, light, and drainage.
Zinnias can flower through warm weather in a sunny patio pot. Single-flowered types leave pollen and nectar easier to reach than densely double forms, and need room for airflow.
Some begonias flower with only a few hours of direct sun, making them useful for shaded patios. Pollinator value varies by species and flower form, so check the variety before planting.
Track direct sun, then check each plant’s mature size, water needs, and hardiness. Overlap bloom periods and combine flower shapes; regional Extension advice can guide local choices.
Choose a container sized for mature roots, with drainage holes, and use potting mix rather than dense garden soil. Match watering to the plant, and do not let saucers keep roots soggy.
Keep reading