The first spring in the pollinator garden we planted more than two thousand plugs and were itchy to see results. But not much insect activity happened at first. Plants were small and the insects just hatching. By August, however, we were starting to see action. Some plants constantly attracted pollinators, but many just attracted occasional customers. Here are some of the top insect magnets we’ve come to love over the succeeding years.

See more about designing for pollinators in Designing a Stylish Pollinator Garden

1. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Zones: 3–9

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; dry to well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern and southern United States

2. Blunt mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Zones: 4–8

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern and southern United States

3. Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

Zones: 7–11

Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: South America

4. Slender mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)

Zones: 4–8

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern North America

5. ‘Black Adder’ giant hyssop (Agastache ‘Black Adder’)

Zones: 6–9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

6. ‘Chocolate’ Joe Pye weed (Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’)

Zones: 4–8

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern United States

7. New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae and cvs.)

Zones: 4–8

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern North America (‘Alma Potschke’ pictured)

8. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Zones: 3–9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Eastern North America

9. ‘Blue Fortune’ giant hyssop (Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’)

Zones: 5–9

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Hybrid

—John Gwynne is a landscape architect who splits his gardening time between New York City and Little Compton, Rhode Island.

Photos, except where noted: Danielle Sherry.

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