17 Kentucky Native Flowers That Support Pollinators
Updated: Mar 5
Pollinators play a critical role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
However, many of their populations have been declining in recent years due to habitat loss and other factors.
Fortunately, Kentucky is home to a diverse array of native flowers that provide valuable resources for pollinators, such as food, shelter, and breeding grounds.
In this post, we'll introduce you to 17 Kentucky native flowers that support pollinators. We also include how many pollinators rely on them, which was drawn from studies done by Douglas Tallamy and Jarrod Fowler.
Let's dive in and discover the beauty and importance of these native flowers in supporting our pollinator friends.
How do Native Flowers Support Pollinators?
Native flowers play a crucial role in supporting pollinators. They offer a reliable source of food through their nectar and pollen. Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, moths, and others, feed on nectar for energy and pollen for protein.
Some native pollinators have even developed specialized adaptations to native flowers. For instance pollen-specialist bees only feed on the pollen of a specific flower, while certain butterflies only lay their eggs on a particular plant.
This means that native flowers play a crucial role in maintaining the populations of our pollinators and the health of our ecosystems. Something that non-native flowers fall short of.
Kentucky Native Flowers That Support Pollinators
There are multiple Kentucky native flowers that support pollinators. Some can support over 100 pollinators, while others only support a handful, but each play an important role in our ecosystem.
Consider adding some to your garden as you scroll through, and be sure to check their native range to see if they're right for your area.
1. Gray Goldenrod
The goldenrod is Kentucky's state flower, and there are more than 30 species found in the state. Gray Goldenrod is a smaller variety that blooms from the late summer well into the fall. They are an excellent source of nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees.
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrods do not cause seasonal allergies. Their pollen is heavy and sticky and transported by pollinators, not the wind.
The Solidago genus supports 112 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 42 pollen-specialist bee species.
2. Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye Weed is a tall, herbaceous perennial known for its large, mauve-pink flower heads that bloom in mid-to-late summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden.
The Eutrochium genus supports 40 butterfly/moth species as a host plant.
3. Narrowleaf Sunflower
Narrowleaf Sunflower is a tall, robust perennial native to Kentucky. It's known for its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom in the fall, bringing a burst of color to gardens and natural areas. It thrives in wet or moist soil conditions and attracts a variety of pollinators.
The Helianthus genus supports 73 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 50 pollen-specialist bee species.
4. Butterfly Milkweed
Butterfly Milkweed is known for its stunning orange flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, particularly butterflies. The plant's nectar-rich blooms provide a valuable food source, making it an important addition to any pollinator garden.
The Asclepias genus supports 12 different butterfly/moth species as a host plant, including the monarch butterfly which was recently put on the endangered species list.
5. Orange Coneflower
Orange Coneflower offers bright yellow flowers with cone-like centers that bloom in late summer and fall, attracting a variety of pollinators to the garden. The plant's nectar and pollen-rich blooms are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.
The Rudbeckia genus supports 20 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 29 pollen-specialist bee species.
6. Aromatic Aster
Aromatic Aster is a beautiful perennial plant that features an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers with violet-blue petals and yellow centers. Its compact, bushy form and prolific blooming make it an ideal choice as a landscaping plant for adding color and texture to garden beds and borders.
The Symphyotrichum genus supports 100 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 33 pollen-specialist bee species.
7. Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Lanceleaf Coreopsis is a charming perennial plant that produces a profusion of bright yellow flowers with orange centers. Its slender, lance-shaped leaves and airy growth habit make it a beautiful addition to naturalistic gardens and meadow plantings.
The Coreopsis genus supports 7 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 22 pollen-specialist bee species.
8. White Crownbeard
White Crownbeard is a stunning, tall perennial plant that produces clusters of white flowers pollinators flock to. Its attractive foliage and striking blooms make it an ideal choice for adding height and visual interest to backgrounds of garden beds.
The Verbesina genus supports 20 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 17 pollen-specialist bee species.
9. Showy Goldenrod
Another native goldenrod of Kentucky, Showy Goldenrod is a lovely perennial plant that features tall, arching stems topped with clusters of bright yellow flowers. Its long-lasting blooms provide a valuable late-season source of nectar for bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for pollinator gardens.
The Solidago genus supports 112 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 42 pollen-specialist bee species.
10. Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed is a perfect option for a mucky, wet area where other plants struggle to grow, such as ponds or drainage areas. It produces clusters of fragrant, pink flowers atop tall, slender stems. Its nectar-rich blooms attract a variety of pollinators, and its foliage is the exclusive food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars.
The Asclepias genus supports 12 different butterfly/moth species as a host plant, including the monarch butterfly.
11. Ashy Sunflower
The Ashy Sunflower is a shorter variety of sunflower that mixes well with the average flower garden. Sunflowers support multiple species of pollinators and are an important plant to include in your landscape.
The Helianthus genus supports 73 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 50 pollen-specialist bee species.
12. New England Aster
New England Aster is one of the largest and most spectacular of the asters. With its golden-yellow centers and pinkish-purple rays, it's the perfect plant for adding a pop of color to your fall landscape.
The Symphyotrichum genus supports 100 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 33 pollen-specialist bee species.
13. Black-Eyed Susan
An iconic flower of the prairie, Black-Eyed Susans add a splash of color to the summer garden and makes an excellent plant for native landscaping. With a prolonged bloom time, it attracts a variety of pollinators.
The Rudbeckia genus supports 20 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 29 pollen-specialist bee species.
14. Common Boneset
Common Boneset is a hardy perennial plant that produces clusters of small, fluffy, white flowers atop tall, sturdy stems. Its attractive foliage and long-lasting blooms make it a great addition to wildflower gardens and naturalistic plantings, and its nectar-rich flowers are particularly attractive to a variety of pollinators.
The Eupatorium genus supports 40 butterfly/moth species as a host plant.
15. Tall Coreopsis
Tall Coreopsis is a striking, tall perennial plant that produces masses of bright yellow flowers atop tall, slender stems. Its long-lasting blooms provide a valuable source of nectar for butterflies and other pollinators, and its attractive foliage adds a vertical element to garden beds and borders.
The Coreopsis genus supports 7 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 22 pollen-specialist bee species.
16. Tall Ironweed
Tall Ironweed is another large plant fit for the background of a native garden. It has prolific purple-magenta blooms, with each cluster containing up to 30-50 flowers, attracting a variety of pollinators.
The Vernonia genus supports 19 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 12 pollen-specialist bee species.
17. Maryland Golden-Aster
Maryland Golden-Aster is a beautiful, low-growing perennial plant that produces masses of small, yellow flowers with button-like centers. Its attractive foliage and long-lasting blooms make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, border plantings, and other sunny areas of the garden.
The Chrysopsis genus supports 5 butterfly/moth species as a host plant and 20 pollen-specialist bee species.
Conclusion
Kentucky is home to a diverse range of native flowers that provide essential support for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
By incorporating these plants into our gardens and landscapes, we can create vital habitats for these important species, while also supporting local native plant nurseries.
The next time you're looking to add some color to your garden, consider planting one of these Kentucky native flowers and help support the important work of our pollinator friends.