HerbRosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6 inches - 5 feet × 2-5 feet
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
Narrow it down
Pollinator Friendly Plants
Herb
PerennialRosinweed
Silphium integrifolium
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 3-6 feet × 3-5 feet
PerennialRouge Plant
Rivina humilis
- Light
- Part Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
GroundcoverRunning Oak
Quercus pumila
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × spreading/colonial — clonal runners can spread indefinitely; retail container spread 3-6 feet appropriate as specimen estimate
ShrubRusty Lyonia
Lyonia ferruginea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 10-20 feet × 6-10 feet
AnnualSalvia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 1-4 feet × 1-4 feet (highly variable by species)
PalmSaw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 4-10 feet × 4-10 feet
AnnualScaevola
Scaevola aemula
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 6-8 inches × 1-3 feet
ShrubScrub Mint
Conradina canescens
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-3 feet × 2-5 feet
TreeSea Grape
Coccoloba uvifera
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 20-35 feet × 20-30 feet
TreeSea Hibiscus
Hibiscus tiliaceus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 10-30 feet × 10-20 feet
PerennialSea Lavender
Limonium
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 12-24 inches × 12-18 inches
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.
PerennialSea Thrift
Armeria maritima
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-12 inches × 6-12 inches
SucculentSedum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade (afternoon shade recommended in NE FL summer)
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-24 inches × spreading 12-18 inches
ShrubSenna
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 4-20 feet × 4-15 feet
TreeShumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 55-80 feet × 40-50 feet
TreeSilver Dollar Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus cinerea
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 25-40 feet × 15-25 feet
ShrubSilverthorn
Elaeagnus pungens
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-15 feet × 10-15 feet
ShrubSimpson's Stopper
Myrcianthes fragrans
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 12-20 feet × 8-12 feet
VineSkyblue Clustervine
Jacquemontia pentanthos
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-12 feet × 3-6 feet
AnnualSnapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 0.5-1 feet
PerennialSnow Squarestem
Melanthera nivea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-5 feet × 2-4 feet
PerennialSociety Garlic
Tulbaghia violacea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 12-18 inches × 12-18 inches
PerennialSouthern Blue Flag
Iris virginica
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- High
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 1-3 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.