Planting pollinator-friendly plants in your Ontario garden can help support local bee, butterfly, and other pollinator populations. Here are some native and non-native plants that are attractive to pollinators in Ontario:

  1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): This native plant produces showy purple-pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
  2. Milkweed (Asclepias): Various species of milkweed, like Common Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed, are crucial for monarch butterflies. They serve as host plants for their larvae.
  3. Liatris (Blazing Star): Liatris spicata, or Blazing Star, produces striking purple flower spikes that are popular with bees and butterflies.
  4. Bee Balm (Monarda): Monarda didyma, or Bee Balm, is a native plant that attracts a wide range of pollinators with its vibrant blooms.
  5. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): This native wildflower, also known as Bee Balm, is another excellent choice for pollinators.
  6. Asters (Aster spp.): Various aster species offer late-season nectar sources for bees and butterflies.
  7. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): Joe-Pye Weed is a native plant with large, pinkish-purple flower heads that attract butterflies and bees.
  8. Goldenrod (Solidago): Despite its reputation, goldenrod is not a major allergen and is an important late-season food source for pollinators.
  9. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): The bright yellow flowers of Black-eyed Susan are loved by bees and butterflies.
  10. Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida): Similar to Black-eyed Susan, coneflowers are great pollinator plants.
  11. Lavender: The fragrant blooms of lavender attract both bees and butterflies.
  12. Salvia: Various species of salvia, such as Salvia nemorosa and Salvia splendens, are popular with pollinators.
  13. Oregano: Oregano flowers are known to attract bees and butterflies to your garden.

When choosing plants, it’s essential to provide a variety of blooming times and flower shapes to cater to a broad range of pollinators. Additionally, try to avoid using pesticides in your garden, as they can harm pollinators. Planting a mix of native and non-native species can provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season and support the diverse pollinator species found in Ontario.