Fruit TreePineapple Guava
Acca sellowiana
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 10-15 feet × 10-15 feet (unpruned)
Plant Collection
PollinatorFriendly
Nectar-rich bloomers and host plants that keep butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds coming back through the season.
Nectar-rich. All season.
Read pollinator guideBrowse the collection
517 plants found
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Pollinator Friendly Plants
Fruit Tree
ShrubPlumbago
Plumbago auriculata
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 4-10 feet × 6-10 feet
TreePlumeria
Plumeria rubra
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 10-15 feet × 8-12 feet (often smaller in zone 9b due to cold damage)
Fruit TreePomegranate
Punica granatum
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 12-20 feet × 10-15 feet
TreePowder Puff
Calliandra haematocephala
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 8-15 feet × 8-12 feet
SucculentPrickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia austrina
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-3 feet × 2-3 feet
PerennialPrimrose
Primula vulgaris
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6-10 inches × 8-12 inches
ShrubPrincess Flower
Tibouchina urvilleana
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 10-15 feet × 10-15 feet
Fruit TreePummelo
Citrus maxima
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 10-15 feet × 10-15 feet
VinePurple Allamanda
Allamanda blanchetii
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6-10 feet × 3-5 feet
PerennialPurple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 1-2 feet
AnnualPurple Groundsel
Senecio elegans
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
Build a living garden
A pollinator planting works best when it mixes nectar flowers, host plants, shelter, and staggered bloom times. Start with a few reliable species, then layer in color as the garden matures.
GrassPurple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1.5-2.5 feet (foliage); panicles raise height to 3-4 feet in bloom × 2-3 feet
PerennialPurple Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-5 feet (occasionally to 8 feet) × 1-2 feet
AnnualPurslane
Portulaca oleracea
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 4-8 inches × 12-18 inches (trailing)
VineRailroad Vine
Ipomoea pes-caprae
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-12 inches tall, spreading indefinitely × 10-50 feet (can reach 100+ feet)
PerennialRattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 4-5 feet (flowering stalks may reach 6 feet) × 2-3 feet
TreeRed Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 15-20 feet × 15-25 feet
PerennialRed Hot Poker
Kniphofia uvaria
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 2-3 feet
TreeRed Maple
Acer rubrum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 60-75 feet × 25-35 feet
TreeRedbay
Persea borbonia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 30-50 feet × 25-35 feet
CactusRic Rac Cactus
Selenicereus anthonyanus
- Light
- Part Shade, Bright Indirect Light
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 3-6 feet × 2-4 feet
PerennialRobin's Plantain
Erigeron pulchellus
- Light
- Part Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 1.5-2 feet
ShrubRose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 8-10 feet × 6-8 feet
Pollinator Friendly Questions
What makes a plant pollinator friendly?+
Pollinator-friendly plants provide nectar, pollen, host foliage, shelter, or seasonal bloom that supports bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects.
How many pollinator plants should I start with?+
Start with three to five reliable species and plant them in visible groups so pollinators can find flowers easily.
Do pollinator plants need full sun?+
Many heavy-blooming pollinator plants prefer full sun, but shade gardens can still support pollinators with the right native and Florida-Friendly selections.
When should I plant a pollinator garden in St. Augustine?+
Spring and fall are great windows in Zone 9b, and our mild winters mean something can bloom for pollinators in most months when you mix species.
Will a pollinator garden bring bees close to my house?+
It can draw bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, though most stay focused on the flowers. You can site the busiest blooms away from doorways and patios.
What are the best plants for hummingbirds in Florida?+
Hummingbirds favor tubular, nectar-rich blooms. In Zone 9b, firebush, firespike, coral honeysuckle, salvia, and cape honeysuckle are reliable draws. Plant them in groups with a sequence of bloom so nectar is available across the warm months.