19 Best Pollinator Plants for Shade

Pollinators love native plants. Native species are the best options for the garden, as they provide valuable pollen and nectar to a wide range of insects, mammals, and birds. Honeybees aren’t the only pollinators we need to help; we also need to consider native bees, hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and bats. 

Honeybees are generalists; they eat nectar and pollen from a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Many of our native bees are specialists—they need specific plants to survive. When you plant non-native perennials and annuals, you’re likely starving these specialists while feeding non-native European honeybees.

Oceanspray is an arching specimen; its woody branches grow up, out, and down as they mature. White blossoms sprout off the stems each summer. The shrub hosts butterflies like swallowtail, azure, and admiral butterflies, and it feeds pollinating bees, flies, and various insects. 

Western Azalea

	botanical name Rhododendron occidentale
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-15’
	hardiness zones 7-9

Azaleas fill spring gardens with fragrance, color, and charm. Their bright flower clusters emerge all at once as winter fades into the growing season. Though ornamental garden cultivars are lovely, native azaleas are hardy, gorgeous, and perfect for pollinators. 

Choose the western azalea if you like fragrant blooms. Its floral clusters fill the space with an alluring, sweet aroma. Many hybrid azaleas use the western species as a parent to add this fragrance to their flowers. 

The western azalea thrives in partially shaded areas, though it benefits from some direct sunlight during the day. It grows in the wild along streams, open forests, and coastlines. Emulate its wild habitat and it’ll thrive in your yard for decades. 

Swamp Azalea

	botanical name Rhododendron viscosum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-8’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Swamp azalea is similar to the western species, except it grows wild in eastern, northern, and southern states in marshy conditions. It prefers moist, rich soil and sunny or shady exposures. Though it likes moistness, it dislikes standing water. It’s best for a shady spot with well-draining soil and frequent irrigation.

The swamp azalea supports a unique pollinator, the azalea mining bee. It’s a specialist pollinator that relies on the shrub’s floral resources for food. It also lures hummingbirds, generalist bees, and hoverflies to your yard. 

Hardy Fuchsia

	botanical name Fuchsia magellanica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-10’
	hardiness zones 5-10

Hardy fuchsias are like the tender hybrids from garden centers, except they survive the winter! These tough specimens are deciduous rather than evergreen, losing leaves in the fall to prepare for winter. They sprout dozens of fuchsia blooms all over their stems in mid to late spring.

Hardy fuchsias have the potential to feed hoards of pollinating insects when they reach a mature size. They can grow up to ten feet tall in regions with mild winters. 

Choose a pink and purple blooming variety for a typical fuchsia color combo, or opt for a special cultivar with different colors. ‘Alba’ is one lovely option; it has pink-white blooms and green, strappy leaves. 

Snowberry

	botanical name Symphoricarpos albus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Snowberry shrubs provide floral nectar and pollen to pollinators, white berries to birds, and tasty leaves to moth larvae. The flowers feed hungry bumblebees, honeybees, and hoverflies in spring. After pollination and fertilization, the white berries form in late summer and persist through the winter after the shrub’s leaves fall off.

Wormy moth larvae feed on the leaves throughout the summer. Adult moths lay eggs on the plant; they hatch into larvae that eventually metamorphose into adult moths.

You’ll notice this woody species growing wild in forests, along riversides, and near lakes. It’s native to large swaths of the country, from Oregon east through Maine. Grow it beneath deciduous trees, in a shrubby border, or a shady pollinator garden. 

Coralberry

	botanical name Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coralberry is in the same genus as snowberry, the Symphoricarpos genus. Like snowberry, wild coralberry sprouts nectar-rich blossoms in spring that turn into berries during summer and fall. Unlike snowberry, coralberry fruits have a pink-red, or coral, color. They contrast elegantly with the green leaves that sprout from the plant’s stems.

Coralberry prefers similar conditions to snowberry. Grant it a partially sunny site with protection from afternoon sunlight. 

Coralberries, like apples, require two genetically different plants for successful pollination and berry formation. Purchase two shrubs at the nursery, or grow two from seeds to guarantee they’ll have different genetics. Some nurseries use clonal propagation to make new plants; ask them when purchasing to ensure you’re getting two genetically different coralberries, not two clones of the same plant. 

Trillium

	botanical name Trillium spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Trillium fills our forests with red, white, pink, and yellow flowers. 38 species are native to North America; they prefer growing on our continent. We’re lucky they grow here, as they’re stunning additions to wild landscapes, shady gardens, and pollinator plantings. 

Try western trillium, Trillium ovatum, on the West Coast. It’s a lovely understory wildflower with white blooms. The petals shift from white to pink to red as they age. They’ll create a stunning low-growing display below taller trees and shrubs. 

Many trilliums are available for gardeners on the East Coast, the Midwest, and the South. Choose native species from your local area, as they’ll perform better in your yard than non-native species. 

Wild Ginger

	botanical name Asarum spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-10”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Wild ginger is another low-growing perennial, like trillium. There are a few different species native to North America, while others originate from other continents in the Northern Hemisphere. They grow heart-shaped, glossy green leaves and spider-like blooms.

Wild ginger flowers sprout beneath the foliage; they’re hidden from view! To see them, you’ll have to get low to the ground and peek behind the leaves. 

The odd-shaped flowers lure hungry flies and beetles with their floral resources. The seeds that form thereafter feed ants! They have tiny, oil-rich appendages on them. After eating the appendages, the ants dispose of the seeds, thereby allowing them to grow into new specimens far from the original plant. 

False Spirea

	botanical name Astilbe spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

False spirea fills dark corners with bright plumes of colorful blossoms. Many different hybrids and cultivars perform well in U.S. gardens. Choose from pink, red, or white flowering varieties. Some bloom from spring through fall!

False spirea is ideal for borders and beds where it can grow next to other shade-loving perennials. Plant it alongside trillium, wild ginger, and violets for a stunning display throughout the growing season. 

Most false spireas help butterflies, though a specific native species is a boon for pollinating insects. Grow Astilbe biternata, or false goatsbeard, in eastern gardens for the maximum benefit to local critters. 

Bleeding Heart

	botanical name Dicentra spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Bleeding heart plants sprout delicate, ferny foliage and heart-shaped blossoms. They’re as gorgeous as they are valuable to local wildlife. Their spreading habit creates habitat space for ground-dwelling critters, while their blooms provide sugar and nutrients for pollinators. 

Opt for the Pacific bleeding heart in the West, or try the non-native bleeding heart, Dicentra spectabilis. Dutchman’s breeches is a similar species with blossoms that look like breeches. It grows well in the eastern U.S. as well as Oregon and Washington. 

Wood Sorrel

	botanical name Oxalis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 2-24”
	hardiness zones 1-9

You may think of weeds when you think of wood sorrels, but many native species behave well in the home garden! They sprout clover-like leaves off of free-rooting stems. Vast colonies form over time; they act as deciduous or evergreen groundcovers in forests and woodlands. 

Which wood sorrel is best for your garden depends on where you live. Try redwood sorrel, Oxalis oregana, near the West Coast. It sprouts evergreen leaves and white flowers that feed insects. Violet wood sorrel, O. violacea, is a purple-blooming option for gardeners in the Southeast. 

If your yard is shady and frigid, opt for the American wood sorrel, O. montana. It’s hardy from zones 1 through 7, making it the perfect choice for areas with freezing winters. 

Jacob’s Ladder

	botanical name Polemonium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Jacob’s ladder plants receive their name because of their ladder-like stems! Each one sprouts individual leaves in rows, making a ladder-like structure. After new growth emerges in the spring, purple, white, or blue blossoms form in a cluster atop flowering stems. Their fragrance and colors lure hungry bumblebees to the site.

Many different Jacob’s ladder species, varieties, and hybrids exist. Try to use local or endemic plants first. To find them, research native Polemonium species that live in your region. Other non-native varieties are available as well. Garden centers and online retailers offer bigger blooming and more colorful cultivars if you prefer showy perennials. 

These plants readily reseed themselves when they’re happy and healthy. Let the seedlings grow to provide more flowers for insects, or pull them up and throw them in the compost if you’d like to keep a tidy space. You may also deadhead spent flowers to prevent seeds from forming. 

Garden Balsam

	botanical name Impatiens balsamina
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Garden balsam is an annual tropical species with fleshy leaves, vibrant flowers, and colorful petals. Bees love the flowers—I see them crowding my balsam plants each summer! After successful pollination and fertilization, the flowers form explosive seed pods that spread seedlings throughout the area.

It’s best to start this plant from seeds indoors unless you live in a warm zone with mild winters. The plants are frost-tender and need warm temperatures to thrive. Use them as summer annuals in shady sites; they grow well with protection from afternoon sunlight.

Many cultivars and varieties exist with white, pink, and red blossoms. Try the ‘Tom Thumb Blend’ to see all the available hues! It has multiple varieties with different colored flowers. 

Viola

	botanical name Viola spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 4-12”
	hardiness zones 1-10

What better way to add charm to your yard than with violets? Violets, or violas, are ground-hugging plants with heart-shaped leaves and small, lipped flowers. The petals are different colors depending on the variety or species of viola. They range from yellow, purple, pink, lavender, and near-black! 

If you’d like a unique viola, opt for ‘Back to Black.’ Its dark blooms add subtle elegance to garden beds, borders, and tree wells. The sweet-smelling blooms feed starving bees and butterflies, while the leaves provide food for butterfly larvae. 

Another amazing feature of violas is their free-spreading nature. They use rhizomes and seeds to self-sow, creating dense patches of lush leaves and bright blooms. 

Forget-Me-Not

	botanical name Myosotis sylvatica
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Forget-me-nots are iconic flowers. Their bright blue blossoms light up forest floors, while their leaves provide a lush, green texture. They’re perfect for shady sites beneath trees, shrubs, and structures. Many cultivars offer unique flower colors like pink, purple, and deep blue, attracting pollinators with their vibrant hues.

‘Victoria Pink’ is a superb pink-flowering variety, while ‘Victoria Blue’ is a similarly structured cultivar with deep blue blossoms. Some mixes, like the ‘Spring & Summer’ blend, have other plants like forget-me-nots that bloom when they finish flowering. 

Though gorgeous, these short-lived perennials are invasive in multiple states. Grow native alternatives if forget-me-nots are noxious weeds in your region. They spread through seeds; deadhead spent blooms to prevent seeds from forming and spreading.

Coral Bells

	botanical name Heuchera spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-20”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coral bells grace woodlands with airy flower clusters and hand-like leaves. They love growing under deciduous and evergreen trees, where they attract insects during spring. Hummingbirds and butterflies also love the blossoms and their rich reserves of nectar. 

Coral bells are popular garden plants. You’ll find hybrids and cultivars readily available at garden centers and online retailers. Though the flowers feed wildlife, the leaves come in many shapes, sizes, and hues. Find a variety you enjoy cultivating.

Try ‘Palace Purple’ for maroon leaves, or opt for a fiery type like ‘Caramel.’ Native coral bells exist too; they grow well with minimal care, and they’re better for local wildlife than non-native types. Try Heuchera micrantha in the Pacific Northwest, or the American alumroot, H. americana, in eastern and northern states. 

Fringe Cups

	botanical name Tellima grandiflora
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 4-7

Fringe cups sprout hand-like leaves similar to coral bells, though their blossoms are distinct! Rather than tiny, white ones, fringe cups form hanging cup-like blooms with fringey petals on the outside. They start white and shift to red as they age, much like how trilliums mature. 

You’ll help hummingbirds when you plant fringe cups. They like hovering below the blossoms to feed on their nectar. 

Originating from the western U.S., fringe cups are tough perennials that grow where moist soil and dappled sunlight are abundant. They’ll reseed when happy, sowing seedlings throughout your yard. Let them sprout for a mass planting, or pull them up and transplant them where you’d like.

Foamflower

	botanical name Tiarella spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 5-12”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Like coral bells and fringe cups, foamflowers have hand-like foliage and dainty, white-petaled blooms on thin stems. Their leaves are more divided than the previous two perennials. Sometimes, plant breeders use foamflowers and coral bells to create new perennials called foamy bells, or x Heucherella hybrids. 

Foamflowers attract bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, making them perfect pollinator plants for the home garden. Choose from cultivated varieties or select a species that originates near you. Try the three-leaved foamflower, Tiarella trifoliata, in the West. 

Growers in the Southeast have a few different species to select from. Opt for the false miterwort, T. cordifolia, or Wherry’s foamflower, T. wherryi. 

Meadow Rue

	botanical name Thalictrum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Not many plants are dioecious, or male and female. Most species sprout flowers with both male and female reproductive parts, allowing them to self-pollinate. Meadow rues are unique in that they have separate male and female plants. For seeds to form, a male plant must flower near a female specimen with open and receptive blossoms.