How to Grow a Thriving Pollinator Garden with Edible Flowers

The plants on this list are wonderful because they add beauty to the home landscape while attracting pollinators. Bonus: They are all edible!

Including a variety of flowers and herbs in your yard and garden ensures that there will be plenty of pollinators and other beneficial insects to help your garden thrive. Below is a list of my favorite edible, pollinator-friendly plants, each with its own unique benefits and appearances.

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1. Borage

Borage is a staple in my home garden. This versatile herb produces striking blue flowers that are a favorite of bees and other beneficial pollinators. Both the star-shaped flowers and velvety leaves are edible and taste like cucumber, making them great for tea, honey, garnishes, and more. Borage can grow 2-3 feet tall and readily self-seeds, making it an excellent cover crop. Plant borage near your tomatoes to attract pollinators and enhance your vegetable garden.

2. Bee Balm:

Bee Balm, a member of the mint family, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Native to North America, its flowers can be red, pink, purple, or blue. Bee Balm is hardy in growing zones 4 to 9 and can grow over 2 feet tall. Its leaves have a minty oregano flavor, making Bee Balm a great perennial flower for both beauty and edibility in your pollinator garden.

3. Dill:

Dill is an important host plant for swallowtail caterpillars. This aromatic herb, with its feather-like foliage and small yellow flowers, is a great addition to cucumber and tomato salads. Dill can reach 4 feet or more, and its flowers attract Black Swallowtail butterflies. Planting dill in your garden ensures a continuous cycle of caterpillars and butterflies, enhancing your pollinator garden.

4. Chives:

Chives are a multipurpose, perennial herb that comes back year after year. The stunning purple flowers attract beneficial pollinators and make great garnishes. Chives can be split and planted elsewhere in the garden, or given as gifts. Cutting them back in late fall and after blooming promotes more growth and flowers.

5. Pineapple Sage:

Pineapple Sage offers edible leaves throughout the season and magnificent red blooms in the fall, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds. Hardy in zones 8-11, Pineapple Sage can survive mild winters in zone 7. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding beauty and utility to your garden.

6. Yarrow:

Yarrow is a low-maintenance plant that adds simple beauty to any landscape. Its umbel-shaped flowers attract various pollinators and are edible. Yarrow is a perennial in zones 2 through 9 and can be used in cut-flower arrangements. Its flavor is similar to tarragon with a licorice-like scent.

7. Cornflower:

Also known as Bachelor's Button, this hardy annual blooms all summer long and is a favorite of honeybees and other beneficial insects. Cornflowers can grow up to 3 feet in height and have extrafloral nectaries, providing nectar from unopened flower buds and seed heads. The petals can add color to salads and other dishes.

8. Mint:

Common mint is a garden staple, easy to grow, and a favorite in many dishes and drinks. Its blooms attract a multitude of pollinators. Mint can grow aggressively, so consider planting it in a container. When in bloom, it becomes a hive of activity, attracting bees and enhancing your flower garden.

Hopefully, this list will inspire you to plan an edible and pollinator-friendly home landscape. These plants add beauty and attract beneficial pollinators and insects, making your garden the buzz of the neighborhood. Happy gardening!

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