There are many annuals that you can plant now that will provide a multitude of blooms for bees and butterflies. Many of these are also great cutting flowers for making bouquets. Here is a photo-roundup of some of our favorites, with tips for how to grow them successfully.
The number one bee, butterfly and bouquet flower is the Zinnia. Look for tall varieties such as State Fair, California Giants, and Benary Giant for cutting. More compact plants for gardens include the Dreamland and Profusion series. All Zinnias come in assorted colors.
To keep your Zinnias blooming, go out to the garden every week and cut off any faded or dead flowers. This is called “deadheading” and when you do this regularly, the plants will grow more blooms.
This bouquet contains Zinnias, Yarrow, Shasta Daisies, smooth Hydrangea and Rudbeckia flowers.
Dahlias are also prized cutting flowers. Although the pompom flowers do attract bees, the single blooms attract even more than the doubles. Grow Dahlias and Zinnias in full sun. Dahlias usually need staking because they are tall and the flowers are heavy.
Sunflowers can still be planted from seed in early June. Place two or three seeds near each other in sunny areas, covering with a half inch of soil and watering well immediately after planting. Spray young sunflowers with Plantskydd to keep the bunnies from eating the plants when they’re small.
Verbena bonariensis attracts monarchs and is the perfect cut flower to combine with Dahlias and Zinnias.
This lyside sulphur butterfly is clearly happy on these Salvia. Most Salvias attract bees and hummingbirds as well, so plant them where you can watch the action. Clip off spent flowers so that your salvia will continue to produce blooming stems.
Salvia Black and Blue is another plant that’s an annual on Cape Cod, and a hummingbird favorite. In this photo you can see a carpenter bee trying to stuff itself into the flower. Carpenter bees are important pollinators, so unless they are drilling into house, leave them alone. They don’t sting, and are fun to watch as they bumble around the garden.
People often forget about good-old Marigolds when it comes to cutting, bees and butterflies. The smaller varieties are good for flower gardens, and the taller, larger types best for cutting. Grow marigolds in full sun and avoid hitting the plants with frequent irrigation, as this can lead to fungal situations on the leaves. Water deeply, but less often, preferably in the morning.
Lantana isn’t usually used as a cut flower, but it makes a good plant to include in mixed containers. Lantana attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Grow this plant in full sun…in fact, it LOVES heat, so it’s a good choice for near hot patios.
Ageratum attracts butterflies, and the taller varieties are lovely when combined with Zinnias and Dahlias in bouquets. Deadhead Ageratum frequently to stimulate flower production.
Cosmos attract bees and butterflies. The taller varieties can be cut for bouquets, and this prompts the plant to produce more flowers as well. Grow Cosmos in full sun.
