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Provide a consistent supply of nectar through the seasons

While selecting perennials for beds and borders, choose plants that nourish bees and butterflies. Pollinators are responsible for the majority of pollination of flowering plants, including the specimens we plant for the beauty of their blossoms and the types we plant for the food they provide.

Plant perennials that bloom in spring, summer and fall so pollinators have a consistent supply of nectar.

Spring-blooming perennials

Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) are prized for their heart-shaped flowers that dangle like charms from arching stems. Plant bleeding hearts in compost-enriched soil in a cool, partly shaded spot in the landscape. As summer temperatures rise, their foliage yellows and eventually disappears. Hostas are ideal companions; their foliage will fill the space left behind.

Baptisia australes, commonly called false blue indigo, resembles asparagus as it emerges from the soil in spring. Stems of blue-green clover-like foliage shoot up 3 to 4 feet tall. Spikes of indigo blue flowers bloom in late May. False blue indigo thrives in full sun but will grow satisfactorily in part shade. It prefers soil low in nutrients.

Some geraniums bloom in May. Album wild geranium (G. maculatum) grows up to 2 feet tall, holding its white flower clusters above deeply cut foliage. G. macrorrhizum 'Minor' is a petite plant with deep pink flowers held just above the foliage. My favorite, G. sanguineum "Max Frei," is a cutie. He shows off intense magenta blooms. Geraniums are adaptable to most soils. If deadheaded, flowers many continue to bloom long into summer.

Summer-blooming perennials

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are long-flowering, easy-to-care-for perennials. Cone centered, daisy like flowers are a pollinator favorite all summer long. They are available in many colors including white, coral, orange, green, rose, purple and pink. Plants grow 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. Plant them in full sun to light shade for best flowering.

Blanket flowers (Gaillardia x grandiflora) begin blooming in June and continue throughout the summer. Flowers in sizzling shades of yellow, orange and red rise over mounds of narrow gray-green foliage. They prefer a spot in well-drained soil and lots of sunshine.

Pollinators adore Joe-Pye weed. Gateway grows as tall as 6 feet. Little Joe is mid-sized, topping out at 4 feet. They both boast large heads of mauve flowers later in summer. Plant Joe-Pye weed in sun to light shade in moist areas in the landscape.

Anyone who has grown sedum knows how much bees love them. Easy to grow in well-drained soil, sedums present their star-shaped flowers in large clusters over fleshy foliage in late summer.

A pollinator garden wouldn't be complete without milkweed (Asclepias). Monarchs depend on them for sustenance as caterpillars and nectar as butterflies. Swamp milkweed blooms in white or rose and grows tall - up to 4 feet tall. They perform best in average or moist soils. Butterfly weed displays bright orange flowers and is smaller - just 2 feet tall. It grows best in poor, dry soils.

Fall-blooming perennials

Asters are a pollinator favorite. Aster x frikartii "Monch" features lavender-blue daisylike flowers with yellow centers. They begin blooming in August and continue well into fall. Plants grow up to 2 feet tall. Choose a location in full sun to part shade for asters. Well-drained soil is a must.

The golden blooms of goldenrod (Solidago) glow in the middle of the fall perennial border while providing nectar for pollinators. Goldenrod is easy to grow and even tolerates our clay soils. Full sun is preferred.

Shade gardeners looking for pollinator-friendly perennials should plant turtlehead. Chalone flaunts snapdragon-like rose or white flowers on plants that grow up to 3 feet tall. Turtlehead grows best in moist woodland gardens but will perform in full sun if given enough supplemental water.

These are just a sampling of perennials that support pollinators. Staff at your local garden center can show you many more perennials for pollinators.

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, Ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.

The heart-shaped flowers of bleeding hearts dangle like charms from arching stems.
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