So, you want a garden buzzing with life? A vibrant haven where butterflies flutter, bees hum, and maybe even a hummingbird or two zip by? The secret lies in understanding what attracts pollinators to flowers! It’s not just about planting any pretty bloom; it’s about understanding their preferences. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of pollinator attraction and create a garden that’s irresistible to these vital creatures. And for those of you in San Antonio, Texas, we’ve got some special tips just for you!

Flower Colors: A Visual Feast for Pollinators

Flowers aren’t just pretty to us; their colors are like flashing neon signs for pollinators!

• Bees: Bees have excellent vision for colors, but they can’t see red. They are highly attracted to blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow flowers. Many flowers that attract bees also have UV patterns (like bluebonnets), invisible to the human eye but perfectly clear to our buzzing friends, that act like landing strips pointing them toward the nectar.
  
• Butterflies: Butterflies love bright flower colors, especially red, orange, yellow, and purple. They have good vision and are drawn to large, flat-topped flowers that provide a convenient landing pad.
  
• Hummingbirds: These tiny dynamos are suckers for vibrant red and orange flowers. They are attracted to bright, tubular shapes that perfectly fit their long beaks and tongues.
  
• Moths: Many moths are nocturnal, so they are often attracted to white or pale-colored flowers that are easier to see in the dark.

Hone in on your fave pollinator’s fave color choice, and you’re one step closer to learning what attracts pollinators to flowers.

What Attracts Pollinators to Flowers: Flower Shapes

Flower shapes are just as important as colors. They determine which pollinators can access the nectar and pollen.

• Bees: Bees prefer flower shapes that are tubular or bell shaped that they can easily crawl into. Flowers with landing platforms are also a big hit.
  
• Butterflies: Butterflies need flat-topped, clustered, or umbel-shaped flowers that provide a stable place to land while they sip nectar with their long proboscis.
  
• Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds are all about long, tubular flower shapes that match the length of their beaks. These flowers often hang downwards, forcing the hummingbird to hover, ensuring they get a good dusting of pollen.
  
• Moths: Moths also favor deep, tubular-shaped flowers with a strong fragrance that helps them locate the flower in the dark.

What Attracts Pollinators to Flowers: Flower Fragrance: 

Scent is the final piece of the puzzle. A fragrant flower is an olfactory invitation for pollinators

a siren song to a pollinator!

• Bees: Bees are attracted to sweet, floral, and sometimes even musty scents.
  
• Butterflies: Butterflies are drawn to a sweet, slightly musty, or even rotting fruit-like flower fragrance (though not too rotten!).
  
• Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds don’t have a strong sense of smell, so flower fragrance isn’t a primary attractant for them. They rely more on color.
  
• Moths: Moths are masters of scent detection. They are attracted to strong, sweet, and often musky fragrances, especially those that intensify at night.

A Sample of Native and Well-Adapted Pollinator Friendly Plants for San Antonio

While we have many other pollinator plants available (like, a ton), the plants in these lists are just a sampling of plants that have many of the characteristics of what attracts pollinators to flowers.

Native Plants:

• Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides): Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
  
• Gregg’s Mistflower (Eupatorium greggii): A magnet for butterflies.
  
• Texas Bluebell (Eustoma exaltatum): Attracts bees.
  
• Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus): Loved by hummingbirds.
  
• Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea): Attracts bees, butterflies, and even though it’s not red, hummingbirds will sip from this and other sages and salvias.
• Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana): Attracts butterflies (host plant for Monarchs) and bees.

Well-Adapted Plants:

• Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha): Attracts hummingbirds and bees.
  
• Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia): A magnet for bees. A great pollinator plant to snuggle in between veggies.
  
• Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis): Berries attract birds, flowers attract small bees.
  
• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Loved by bees, and lovely in both the landscape and herb gardens.
  
• Zinnia (Zinnia elegans): An annual favorite of butterflies.
• Lantana (Lantana camara x spp.): Loved by most pollinators. We like New Gold, and Purple Trailing because they aren’t invasive.

Remember to choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous food source for pollinators. Include both host and nectar plants. Plant in clusters to create a more visually appealing and easily discoverable target. And avoid using pesticides, which can harm these beneficial creatures! By understanding what attracts pollinators to flowers – color, shape, and scent – you can create a thriving garden ecosystem that benefits both you and these essential creatures. So, get out there, plant some pollinator-friendly flowers, and enjoy the buzz!

~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy