Evening‐primrose Flowers at the Border Plant native flowers around your yard to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. By Heidi Kratsch, Hor culture Specialist Special Publica on‐14‐07
Supported by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, Great Basin Na ve Plant Selec on and Increase Project. Pollinators, including bees, moths, beetles and beneficial insects. bu erflies, are cri cal to the produc on of nearly Why na ve plants? Na ve plants a ract na ve one‐third of the world’s food supply. Our pollinators. Most people are not aware of the pollinator popula ons are decreasing due to a complex rela onships among plants, insects and combina on of factors, including habitat loss and other beneficial organisms that have evolved over fragmenta on, overuse of pes cides, millions of years. Insects pollinate flowers while malnutri on, disease and parasites. It is they feed on nectar and pollen. Sure, you can impera ve that we, as responsible gardeners, a ract honeybees by plan ng almost any nectar‐ provide food and habitat for pollinators by producing flower. But honeybees are not our only crea ng patches of sanctuary habitats to support pollinators, and they are not our best pollinators. and preserve these valuable creatures. Honeybees are not even na ve to North Other beneficial insects that deserve a place in America, so they have not developed the the garden include those that protect our crops specialized plant‐pollinator rela onships typical of and ornamental landscape plants from herbivory many of our na ve pollinators. Bo om line, na ve by pest insects. Some mes these insects are pollinators, such as solitary bees and wasps, called natural predators or natural enemies. They bumblebees, bu erflies and moths do a be er help protect our plants by feeding on or pollina ng job, and are a racted and supported parasi zing pest insects. Examples include by the na ve plants with which they evolved. ladybeetles, lacewings, parasi c wasps, ground beetles, minute pirate bugs, praying man s and This publica on provides a list of 50 of the arachnids, such as spiders and predatory mites. most a rac ve flowering species na ve to the intermountain western region of the U.S. Included You can protect these valuable garden allies by is informa on on each species’ lifecycle, size plan ng flowers that not only a ract them but poten al, flower color and bloom period, cultural also provide valuable nectar and shelter for requirements, and benefit to pollinators and breeding and overwintering. If you want other beneficial insects. beneficial insects to s ck around and do their job, you must provide their basic living needs. Provide But this is only the beginning. If you are serious nectar by plan ng na ve flowers that bloom at about providing a pollinator‐friendly habitat, different mes of the year; and don’t forget to put there are other steps you should take. Limit your out a container of water, such as a birdbath, or use of insec cides, par cularly systemic even small dishes of water around your yard. insec cides, which are absorbed through the Leave garden cleanup un l late spring. Perennials leaves and stems and transported throughout the and ornamental grasses le standing give shelter plant. Purchase untreated seeds and organic and provide winter interest. Homemade bee vegetable and bedding plant starts. Purchase houses, small piles of stones and areas of bare na ve plants and seeds from local vendors when ground also provide overwintering sites for possible.
2 ANNUAL FLOWERS sulfur‐flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum)
Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata) blanke lower (Gaillardia aristata) Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) s cky purple geranium (Geranium viscosissimum) common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) old man’s whiskers (Geum triflorum) baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) hoary verbena (Verbena stricta) showy goldeneye (Heliomeris mul flora) Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis)
Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) PERENNIAL FLOWERS silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) smoothstem blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis) ne leleaf giant hyssop (Agastache ur cifolia) oblongleaf bluebells (Mertensia oblongifolia) taper p onion (Allium acuminatum) Colorado four o’clock (Mirabilis mul flora) western pearly everlas ng (Anaphalis wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) margaritacea) mountain monardella (Monardella odora ssima) rosy pussytoes (Antennaria rosea) tu ed evening‐primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) Mohave sandwort (Arenaria macradenia) penstemon (Penstemon spp.) flatbud pricklypoppy (Argemone munita) silky phacelia (Phacelia sericea) heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) longleaf phlox (Phlox longifolia) columbine (Aquilegia spp.) slender cinquefoil (Poten lla gracilis) bu erfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis) milkvetch (Astragalus spp.) purple sage (Salvia dorrii) arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagi ata) spearleaf stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum) purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) Oregon checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana) lavenderleaf sundrops (Calylophus lavandulifolius) Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) western white clema s (Clema s ligus cifolia) scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) Blue Mountain prairie clover (Dalea ornata) desert princesplume (Stanleya pinnata) hummingbird trumpet (Epilobium canum) hookedspur violet (Viola adunca) aspen fleabane (Erigeron speciosus)
3 Rocky Mountain beeplant Growing ps: Part shade; moist, organic soil; (Cleome serrulata) nigh me temperatures below 65 F. ANNUAL Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees. Size: 1 to 5 feet
Bloom: White, pink, purple; July—September hoary verbena (Verbena stricta) Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; sandy, well‐ ANNUAL OR SHORT‐LIVED PERENNIAL drained soil. Start from seed sowed thickly. Size: 1 to 4 feet Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and Bloom: Blue‐purple; July—September honeybees; larval host for the checkered white Growing ps: Full sun; dry, sandy soil. Seeds bu erfly. require two months cold‐moist stra fica on.
Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) bu erflies; larval host for the common buckeye ANNUAL bu erfly. Size: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom: Red, yellow; May—August common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Growing ps: Full to part sun; well‐drained, sandy PERENNIAL, zone 3‐9 soil. Bloom is prolonged by deadheading and Size: 2 to 3 feet extra summer water. Reseeds readily. Bloom: White, pink; June—September Pollinator benefits: A racts bu erflies and na ve Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; sandy soil. bees. May be used as a flowering ground cover and mowed to 3 inches to prevent aggressive spread. common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees; supports ANNUAL natural enemies of insect pests. Size: Up to 8 feet
Bloom: Yellow; July—October ne leleaf giant hyssop Growing ps: Full sun; prefers dry, disturbed soil. (Agastache ur cifolia) PERENNIAL, zone 5‐10 Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees. Size: 3 to 6 feet baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) Bloom: Pink, lavender; June—August ANNUAL Growing ps: Part shade; well‐drained soil. Size: 6 inches Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, Bloom: Blue; May—June bumblebees and honeybees.
4 taper p onion (Allium acuminatum) Bloom: White; April—July PERENNIAL, zone 3‐7 Growing ps: Full to part sun; sandy, well‐drained Size: 6 to 12 inches soil. Do not overwater. Bloom: Pink, white; May—July Pollinator benefits: A racts bu erflies and na ve Growing ps: Sun or shade; sandy loam soil. Plant bees. bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and flatbud pricklypoppy (Argemone munita) honeybees. PERENNIAL, zone 5‐10 Size: 15 to 40 inches western pearly everlas ng Bloom: Large, white, yellow centers; June— (Anaphalis margaritacea) September PERENNIAL, zone 4‐8 Growing ps: Full sun; dry, infer le, well‐drained Size: 1 to 3 feet soil. Deer‐resistant. Bloom: White, yellow centers; July—September Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, Growing ps: Sun to part shade; sandy, gravelly honeybees, and bu erflies. soil. Good for dried flower arrangements. Pollinator benefits: Nectar source for American heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) lady bu erfly; larval host for painted lady PERENNIAL, zone 2 bu erfly. Size: 8 to 12 inches Bloom: Yellow; May—August rosy pussytoes (Antennaria rosea) Growing ps: Full to part shade; moist soil. PERENNIAL, zone 2 Size: 8 to 16 inches Pollinator benefits: A racts bu erflies, na ve bees and bumblebees. Bloom: Pink; June—August
Growing ps: Full sun; well‐drained soil. Spreads from stolons. May be used as a ground cover; columbine (Aquilegia spp.) tolerates light foot traffic. PERENNIAL, zone 3‐8 Pollinator benefits: A racts bu erflies. Size: 6 to 40 inches Bloom: White, yellow, blue, red; spring/summer Mohave sandwort (Arenaria macradenia) Growing ps: Sun to part shade; keep soil moist in PERENNIAL, zone 3‐8 spring, dry in summer. Size: 5 to 18 inches Pollinator benefits: A racts hummingbirds.
5 bu erfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) purple poppymallow PERENNIAL, zone 3‐9 (Callirhoe involucrata) Size: 18 to 24 inches PERENNIAL, zone 4‐8 Bloom: Flat‐topped, bright orange; May— Size: 8 to 12 inches, sprawling to 3 feet September Bloom: White, pink, purple; March—June Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; well‐drained Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; well‐drained soil; drought‐tolerant. rocky or sandy soil. Can be used in hanging Pollinator benefits: A racts bumblebees, baskets. honeybees and hummingbirds. Larval host for Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees; larval gray hairstreak, monarch and queen bu erflies. host for the gray hairstreak bu erfly. Supports natural enemies of insect pests. Lavenderleaf sundrops milkvetch (Astragalus spp.) (Calylophus lavandulifolius) PERENNIAL, zone 3‐7 PERENNIAL, zone 5‐9 Size: Up to 12 inches Size: Up to 8 inches, mounding Bloom: Purple, pink, white, bu erfly‐like; spring/ Bloom: Yellow; May—September in flushes every summer four to five weeks Growing ps: Full sun; dry, well‐drained, gravelly Growing ps: Full sun; gravelly, well‐drained soil. soil. Do not overwater. Drought‐tolerant. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, Pollinator benefits: Pollinated by moths and bumblebees and bu erflies. na ve bees. arrowleaf balsamroot western white clema s (Balsamorhiza sagi ata) (Clema s ligus cifolia) PERENNIAL, zone 3‐7 PERENNIAL VINE, zone 3‐7 Size: 6 to 32 inches Size: 12 to 18 feet Bloom: Yellow, sunflower‐like; May—July Bloom: White, prolific; April—August Growing ps: Full sun; deep, sandy or gravelly Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; rich, well‐ soil. Do not overwater a er bloom. Best results drained soil. Provide a ernoon shade in hot areas. with direct‐seeding. Prune back to 1 foot every three to five years to Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, rejuvenate. bumblebees and bu erflies. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and hummingbirds.
6 Blue Mountain prairie clover sulfur‐flower buckwheat (Dalea ornata) (Eriogonum umbellatum) PERENNIAL, zone 3‐7 PERENNIAL, zone 4‐8 Size: 12 to 24 inches, upright Size: 1 to 2 feet Bloom: Purple, woolly looking spikes; June— Bloom: Variable, cream, yellow, orange, red; August June—September Growing ps: Full sun; dry, rocky or sandy soil. Do Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; well‐drained not overwater. Cut back in early spring to loamy to gravelly soil. May be grown from seed. encourage new growth. Cold‐stra fica on improves germina on; may self Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, ‐seed in the garden. bumblebees and honeybees. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and bu erflies. Larval host for the lupine blue hummingbird trumpet (Epilobium canum) bu erfly. Supports natural enemies of insect PERENNIAL, zone 5‐9 pests. Size: 12 to 18 inches blanke lower (Gaillardia aristata) Bloom: Red, orange‐red; September—October PERENNIAL, zone 2‐8 Growing ps: Full sun; dry, rocky, well‐drained Size: 1 to 3 feet soil. Divide in spring when plant outgrows its space. Bloom: Red, yellow, brownish centers; June— September Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and hummingbirds. Growing ps: Full sun, shade‐intolerant; well‐ drained, infer le soil. Divide clumps every two to
three years. Leave flower heads a er bloom for showy fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) winter interest and for the birds. PERENNIAL, zone 2‐8 Size: 6 to 30 inches Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and bu erflies. Bloom: White, pink, blue; June—August Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; amend soil with organic ma er. Drought‐tolerant. Forms colonies; divide as needed. Pollinator benefits: Supports natural enemies of insect pests.
7 s cky purple geranium showy goldeneye (Heliomeris mul flora) (Geranium viscosissimum) PERENNIAL, zone 4‐10 PERENNIAL, zone 4‐10 Size: 5 to 20 inches Size: 1 to 2 feet Bloom: Yellow, daisy‐like; July—September Bloom: Pink, purple; May—August Growing ps: Full sun; dry, well‐drained soil. Will Growing ps: Part shade; loamy soil. Give extra bloom in its first year. Will reseed; a rac ve in a moisture in spring; cut back in summer. May meadow garden. sprawl in full shade. Leaves turn red in fall. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and bu erflies. bu erflies. Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) old man’s whiskers (Geum triflorum) PERENNIAL, zone 4‐8 PERENNIAL, zone 2‐5 Size: 1 to 2 feet Size: 6 to 18 inches Bloom: Purple, lavender; May—July Bloom: Pink, red, nodding, bell‐shaped; become Growing ps: Full sun; needs moisture un l erect as flowers give way to plume‐like flowering. Plant seeds or rhizomes. Divide every seedheads; June—August three years to prevent spreading. Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; tolerates Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, loamy, clayey or sandy soil; forms dense mats. bumblebees, bu erflies and hummingbirds. May be used as a ground cover. Leaves turn deep red in fall. Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, PERENNIAL, zone 4‐9 bumblebees and bu erflies. Size: 6 to 30 inches
Bloom: Blue, purple; May—September Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) PERENNIAL, zone 3 Growing ps: Full sun; dry, well‐drained sandy Size: 8 to 24 inches soil. Will self‐seed; may cut back a er bloom. Bloom: Magenta pink; April—July Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, honeybees and bu erflies. Growing ps: Full sun; dry, sandy or rocky, infer le soil. Takes three years from seed to bloom. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, bumblebees and bu erflies.
8 silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) Colorado four o’clock PERENNIAL, zone 2 (Mirabilis mul flora) Size: 1 to 2 feet PERENNIAL, zone 4‐8 Bloom: Purple, lavender; June—August Size: 12 to 30 inches Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; dry, rocky Bloom: Pink, purple; June—October soil. Growing ps: Full sun; blooms its first year; re‐ Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and seeds. Useful as a ground cover and for erosion bumblebees; important nectar source for control. Can be mowed to the ground in October. bu erflies. Pollinator benefits: A racts bu erflies and hummingbirds. smoothstem blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis) wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) BIENNIAL, 3‐7 PERENNIAL, zone 3‐9 Size: 1 to 3 feet Size: 1 to 3 feet Bloom: Yellow; June—September Bloom: Lavender, pink, white; June—September Growing ps: Full sun; sandy or gravelly soil. Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; adaptable to Grow from seed. soil type; easy to grow from seed. Deadhead Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, flowers to prolong bloom. bumblebees and bu erflies. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, bumblebees, bu erflies and hummingbirds. oblongleaf bluebells (Mertensia oblongifolia) mountain monardella PERENNIAL, zone 4 (Monardella odora ssima) Size: 4 to 16 inches PERENNIAL, zone 4‐10 Size: 3 to 18 inches Bloom: Blue, bell‐shaped; May—July Bloom: Purple, light pink; June—September Growing ps: Full sun to shade; coarse, well‐ drained soil; slow to establish but moderate Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; sandy to lifespan. rocky, well‐drained soil; blooms its first year. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, bumblebees and bu erflies. bumblebees and bu erflies.
9 tu ed evening‐primrose longleaf phlox (Phlox longifolia) (Oenothera caespitosa) PERENNIAL, zone 3‐8 PERENNIAL, zone 4‐9 Size: 2 to 6 inches Size: 8 to 16 inches Bloom: Pink, white; April—July Bloom: White; April—August Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; coarse, well‐ Growing ps: Full sun; dry clayey or sandy soils. drained, infer le soil. Blooms its second year from Do not overwater in summer. seed; long‐lived. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, bumblebees and bu erflies. penstemon (Penstemon spp.) PERENNIAL, zone 4 slender cinquefoil (Poten lla gracilis) Size: 1 to 5 feet PERENNIAL, zone 2 Size: 1 to 2 feet Bloom: Blue, purple, red, pink, white; spring/ summer Bloom: Yellow; June—August Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; excellent Growing ps: Full sun; adaptable to soil type; drainage required. Do not overwater. Will bloom difficult to transplant; extremely cold‐hardy. in its second year. May be short‐lived. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and Pollinator benefit: A racts na ve bees, bu erflies. bumblebees and hummingbirds. western coneflower silky phacelia (Phacelia sericea) (Rudbeckia occidentalis) PERENNIAL, zone 3‐7 PERENNIAL, zone 3‐9 Size: 4 to 20 inches Size: 3 to 6 feet Bloom: Purple, blue; June—August Bloom: Purple‐brown, showy, dis nc ve; July— Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; gravelly, well August ‐drained soil; minimal care, but does not Growing ps: Full sun; prefers loamy soil with transplant easily. consistent moisture. Will bloom its first year from Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, seed. Deadhead flowers to prolong bloom. honeybees and bu erflies. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees.
10 purple sage (Salvia dorrii) Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; adaptable to PERENNIAL, zone 3‐6 soil type. Forms colonies. May divide to check Size: 1 to 2 feet growth. Bloom: Blue and purple, two‐toned; May—June Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and Growing ps: Full sun; well‐drained, infer le soil. bu erflies; supports natural enemies of insect Lightly prune a er flowering. pests.
Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees and scarlet globemallow bu erflies. (Sphaeralcea coccinea) PERENNIAL, zone 4‐9 spearleaf stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum) Size: 2 to 16 inches PERENNIAL, zone 4‐9 Size: 2 to 10 inches Bloom: Scarlet orange; May—July Bloom: Yellow; June—August Growing ps: Full sun; coarse, well‐drained soil; extremely drought‐tolerant. Do not overwater. Growing ps: Full sun to part shade; dry, gravelly, Spreads by rhizomes but is not aggressive. well‐drained soil. Useful as a ground cover. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees. Pollinator benefits: A racts na ve bees, bu erflies and syrphid flies (aphid predators). desert princesplume (Stanleya pinnata) PERENNIAL, zone 4‐9 Oregon checkerbloom (Sidalcea oregana) Size: 1 to 4 feet PERENNIAL, zone 2 Size: 16 to 50 inches Bloom: Yellow; June—September Bloom: Pink, purple; May—August Growing ps: Full sun; sandy or rocky, well‐ drained, infer le soil. Grow from seeds or Growing ps: Full sun; prefers moist, well‐drained transplants. soil. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Prune back to the basal rose