Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

The long tubular flowers are a favorite of bumblebees and hummingbirds, which can easily reach its deep nectar. Spires of lavender-blue blooms and licorice-scented leaves make it both visually bold and sensory-rich.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 4 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Silvery foliage gives this shrub a soft, glowing presence. Its purple flower spikes feed early native bees while root-dwelling bacteria actively fix nitrogen into the soil.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Apr, May
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Star-shaped blue flowers appear early, supporting queen bumblebees just beginning their colonies. Slender foliage turns a striking golden yellow in fall, extending its beauty well beyond bloom.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 inches
Width: 12 inches
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Low, woolly leaves form a silvery carpet that contrasts with greener plants. It is a larval host for American lady butterflies and a valuable early pollen source for tiny ground-nesting bees.

Sun: Full, Partial, Shade
Height: 2 feet
Width: 18 inches
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Red-and-yellow nodding flowers are shaped specifically for hummingbird pollination. The airy, fern-like foliage gives it a delicate woodland wildflower look.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 8 feet
Width: 5 feet
Blooms: May
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Spring flowers support early pollinating flies and bees before many shrubs bloom. Bright red berries persist into winter, feeding birds when food is scarce, while foliage turns vivid red in fall.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 5 feet
Width: 5 feet
Blooms: May
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Clusters of white flowers feed a wide range of early insects, followed by dark berries rich in antioxidants for birds. Dense branching and dramatic fall color give it strong year-round presence.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Silvery, aromatic foliage provides striking contrast and texture. It supports specialist moth species whose caterpillars feed on the leaves, contributing to nighttime food webs.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Wet, Med-Wet, Med

Flat-topped pink flower clusters are rich in nectar and heavily used by butterflies and long-tongued bees. Its leaves are a primary food source for monarch caterpillars.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Bright orange flowers attract adult monarchs, swallowtails, and native bees. Unlike many milkweeds, it offers vivid color with a clean, upright form.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Fine, thread-like leaves give this milkweed a soft, grassy appearance. It is especially important to monarchs late in the season when other milkweeds are finished.

Sun: Full
Height: 8 inches
Width: 18 inches
Blooms: May, Jun
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Creamy pruple flowers feed early solitary bees. The large, ground-hugging seed pods—often called “ground plums”—are esepcially striking.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Tall spikes of white flowers support specialist bees that rely on legumes. Deep roots and nitrogen-fixing bacteria make it a long-term soil builder with strong architectural form.

Sun: Full
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: May, Jun
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Blue pea-like flowers support early pollinators, including leafcutter bees. The compact, shrub-like shape gives it a polished prairie look.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

One of the earliest prairie legumes to bloom, offering nectar when few plants are available. Soft yellow flowers and blue-green foliage give it a calm, natural elegance.

Sun: Full
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Distinctive dangling seed heads move constantly in the wind. The foliage supports skipper butterfly caterpillars and provides shelter for ground-dwelling insects.

Sun: Full
Height: 18 inches
Width: 24 inches
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Fine blades and subtle seed heads create a minimalist, open feel. This grass supports grassland insects and helps anchor diverse food webs.

Sun: Full
Height: 8 inches
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Brilliant magenta flowers bloom for weeks and stay close to the ground. The open flowers are easily used by native bees and small butterflies and are the source of its nickname - "winecups."

Sun: Partial, Shade
Height: 12 inches
Width: 12 inches
Blooms: Jun
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Soft, arching foliage brings a lush woodland texture. Sedges like this host the caterpillars of dozens of native moth species—an often overlooked ecological role.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 4 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Creamy flower clusters buzz with native bees and beneficial wasps. Root systems fix nitrogen, quietly enriching the soil while supporting pollinators above.

Sun: Full
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Bright yellow flowers attract sweat bees and small native bees in large numbers. The clean, cheerful blooms bring stunning vibrance to the landscape.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Dense purple flower spikes support specialist bees that feed only on legumes. As a nitrogen fixer, it pairs showy blooms with serious ecological impact.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Large pink blooms provide nectar for long-tongued bees and butterflies. Spiky seed heads later feed goldfinches and add winter texture.

Sun: Full
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Globular flowers attract an unusually diverse mix of pollinators, including predatory wasps and beetles. Its spiky, architectural form stands out dramatically.

Sun: Full
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Red-and-yellow daisy-like flowers bloom continuously and feed pollinators over a long season. The bright colors bring classic prairie warmth to the garden.

Sun: Full to Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Soft pink flowers support a wide variety of native bees. Finely divided foliage on long, sprawling stems adds a gentle, billowing texture.

Sun: Partial to Shade
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Spring blooms provide nectar for early-emerging bees. Tidy foliage and subtle flowers blend naturally into layered plantings. Spreads slowly via rhizomes.

Sun: Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Bright pink flowers are heavily visited by native bumblebees. Slightly sticky stems help deter browsing and give it a rugged wildflower character. It has a deep woody taproot to endure drought.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 12 inches
Width: 12 inches
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Nodding, rose-pink spring flowers provide nectar for early native bees emerging from winter. As the season progresses, feathery seed heads persist, adding movement and texture long after bloom.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Golden, sunflower-like blooms produce both nectar and pollen for a wide range of bees, beetles, and butterflies. The long bloom window makes it a dependable visual anchor.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 4 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Bright yellow flowers are rich in pollen and heavily visited by bumblebees. Dense branching creates excellent shelter for birds and beneficial insects throughout the year.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Rough-textured purple flower spikes bloom late, providing essential nectar when many plants are finished. It is especially important to migrating monarchs and late-season native bees.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

This species is one of the most important nectar plants for monarch butterflies during fall migration. Tall, vivid purple spikes create a dramatic focal point late in the season.

Sun: Full to Partial
Height: 12 feet
Width: 6 feet
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Long, tubular red flowers are precisely shaped for hummingbirds, which are its primary pollinators. As a native vine, it offers vertical color and wildlife value without the aggressive spread of non-native honeysuckles.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

This is one of the earliest monardas to bloom, supporting native bees before summer nectar peaks. Pale lavender flowers and tidy growth give it a refined, understated look compared to taller bee balms.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Lavender flower heads attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even predatory wasps that help control pests. Aromatic foliage adds fragrance and texture.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 5 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Airy flower and seed heads rise above the foliage, catching light and movement from late summer through winter. Birds use the seeds for food and the stems for shelter, while insects overwinter at the base.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

White tubular flowers are used heavily by bumblebees and specialist penstemon bees that rely on its pollen. The upright flower spikes provide early-season structure and contrast among softer plants.

Sun: Full
Height: 5 feet
Width: 5 feet
Blooms: Apr, May
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Early spring blossoms feed native bees and flies when few woody plants are flowering. Later, the edible fruits support birds and mammals while adding a subtle ornamental appeal.

Sun: Full to Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

At peak bloom, this plant can host dozens of insect species at once, including bees, wasps, hoverflies, beetles, and predatory insects. Few native plants rival it for sheer biodiversity support.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

The long bloom period provides steady nectar for bees and butterflies well into summer. Drooping yellow petals and tall central cones give it an unmistakable, playful prairie silhouette.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 5 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Late-blooming yellow flowers provide nectar and pollen as fall approaches and resources dwindle. The dark cones add strong visual weight and remain attractive into winter.

Sun: Full
Height: 18 inches
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Soft lavender flowers support small native bees and occasional specialist pollinators. Its low, spreading habit creates a relaxed, meadow-like ground layer that pairs well with grasses.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 5 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Clear sky-blue flowers bloom late and stand out strongly to bees, which see blue particularly well. The open, airy flower structure adds lightness when many plants feel heavy.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Narrow blue-green blades transition to copper, orange, and red tones in fall. It supports insects at multiple life stages and provides nesting and cover for birds year-round.

Sun: Full, Partial, Shade
Height: 6 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

The urn-shaped flowers hide nectar deep inside, making them especially valuable to bumblebees with long tongues. Though subtle in appearance, it fills a specialized and important pollination niche.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Star-shaped white flowers open in the evening, attracting night-flying moths that are rarely considered in garden design. The softly luminous blooms add a quiet nighttime beauty.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 8 feet
Width: 4 feet
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Massive, deeply cut leaves give this plant a bold, sculptural presence even before it blooms. Its extraordinarily deep roots help build soil structure and resilience while supporting pollinators aboveground.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Early fall flower clusters provide nectar and pollen for native bees preparing for winter. The stiff, upright blooms give this goldenrod a controlled, architectural look.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 5 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Tall, glowing plumes of gold bloom late and support a wide range of fall insects, including migrating species. It keeps a more elegant form, unlike the more aggressive species of goldenrod.

Sun: Partial, Shade
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Broad leaves and arching flower sprays soften woodland edges. Late-season blooms support bees and butterflies transitioning into fall.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry, Dry

One of the most elegant prairie grassess, its fine, arching foliage forms a graceful mound. Seeds provide food for birds, and insects shelter among the dense base.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Wet, Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Asters provide critical fuel for monarchs and native bees at the very end of the season. Its vibrant color ensures strong visual impact when few plants remain in flower.

Sun: Full
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms:  Sept, Oct, Nov
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Lavender-blue flowers bloom late and attract a wide diversity of native bees. Dense branching gives it a full, rounded appearance without flopping.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 3 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Soft blue flowers support fall pollinators without overwhelming neighboring plants. The open, airy structure blends seamlessly with grasses and goldenrods.

Sun: Full
Height: 4 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Wet, Med, Med-Dry

Hundreds of small white flowers create a cloud-like effect late in the season. It provides abundant nectar and pollen when insects are racing the first frosts.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Sept, Oct
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Named for its exquisite silky-soft foliage, its pale purple flowers support many specialist insects. Subtle and elegant, it rewards close observation.

Sun: Full, Partial
Height: 4 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Moisture: Med-Dry, Dry

Tall, narrow flower spikes attract butterflies and long-tongued bees over an extended bloom period. The strong vertical lines add rhythm and structure to plantings.

Sun: Full
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Blooms: Aug, Sept
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry

Dense clusters of deep purple flowers are favored by large bees and butterflies late in the year. It is one of the host plants of American lady butterflies.

Sun: Full
Height: 4 feet
Width: 3 feet
Blooms: May, Jun
Moisture: Med, Med-Dry, Dry

Rigid, sword-like leaves and towering flower stalks create architectural presence. Pollination depends entirely on a single species of yucca moth in one of North America’s most specialized plant–insect partnerships.