Pollinator Garden Ontario

We have compiled a list of lovely native Ontario plants and trees to plant to give some love to our pollinator friends! Organized by blooming season (early spring and late fall are some of the most crucial times), see if you can add a few of these to your garden.

Milkweed

Best for: butterflies

Swamp Milkweed for wet spots

Common Milkweed for dry areas.

Colours: pink, orange, yellow, white, and purple

Milkweed

Bee Balm

Best for: bees

The tubular flowers provide an easily accessible source of nectar and pollen, serving as a vital food source throughout the summer

Colours: jewel-toned red, pink, purple, lavender, and white

Canada Goldenrod

Best for: bees

Zigzag goldenrod is a good option

Colour: golden to lemon yellow

New England Aster

Best for: bees, butterflies

Colours: purple, pink, white

Blue False Indigo

Best for: bees, butterflies

Queen bumblebees are attracted to and well-adapted to these pea-shaped flowers.

Vital host for different butterfly species

Colours: indigo, light blue

Purple Coneflower

Best for: bees, butterflies (and birds)!

Colours: magenta, white, orange, yellow

Tree: Eastern Redbud

Best for: bees, butterflies

A beautiful tree and crucial early-spring food source supporting a wide variety of native bees, butterflies, and moths when nectar sources are few and far between.

Colours: white, bright pink; purple foliage

Wild Strawberry

Best for: bees

A high-value plant that provides essential, early-season nectar and pollen for bees.

Colours: white, yellow

Tree: Willow

Best for: bees

Willows are one of the most critical, high-quality food sources in early spring. They provide abundant, nutrient-rich pollen and nectar, supporting queen bumblebees and allowing honeybee colonies to grow quickly. Willow pollen has high protein content, crucial for feeding new larvae. An exceptional tree!

Colours: green

Obedients

Best for: bees (+birds!)

Blooming from late summer to fall, obedients offer a lot of nectar, attracting a variety of bumblebees, honeybees, and smaller native bees. Known as a pollinator magnet, it's also good for birds too.

Colours: purple, pink, white

Heath/Blue Aster