Companion planting with flowers is the easiest technique to have a healthy harvest with the least effort. So, if you are planning one, check out the handpicked list of the Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden!
Here are the best tips on vegetable companion planting
Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden
1. Marigold
Botanical Name: Tagetes
The vibrant color and the strong scent of the beautiful marigolds attract a swarm of nectar hunting bees while keeping beetles and cabbage worms away.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Kale, Eggplant, Potato, Broccoli
Learn how to grow unlimited marigolds from petals here
2. Borage
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
The star-shaped blooms are rich in nectar that attract pollinating bugs and bees to cabbage, tomato, strawberry, squash, pepper, and other vegetable crops.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Squash, Tomato, Zucchini
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3. Coneflower
Botanical Name: Echinacea
The lance-shaped purple flowers attract butterflies, birds, and bees. Unlike other plants, coneflowers pump out nectar throughout the day.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Broccoli, Eggplant, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Peppers, Tomatoes, and Chilies.
Check out some fantastic daisy-like flowers here
4. Butterfly Bush
Botanical Name: Buddleja
The white, pink, and lavender blooms are an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to your vegetable garden.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Lettuce, Spinach, Rhubarb, Carrots, Beets, Onions
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5. Cow Parsnip
Botanical Name: Heracleum maximum
Cow Parsnip is another flower that can attract many pollinators, specifically wasps and tiny bees. The plant thrives in clusters keeping your vegetables healthy.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Onion, Garlic, Radish, Potato, Bush bean, Peas, Pepper
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6. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
This pretty flowering herb attracts bees and other pollinators with its calming fragrance and nectar-rich flower clusters while keeping the unwanted flies, mosquitoes, and fleas away.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Lettuce, Onions, Oregano, Chamomile, Tomatoes, Squash, Brassicas
Learn how to grow lavenders in pots here
7. Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus
This cheerful flowering plant is an excellent choice for attracting birds and bees while adding a vibrant hue to your vegetable garden.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Squashes, Zucchinis, Courgettes, Spring Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Lettuces, Kale, Peppers, Onions.
Learn how to grow sunflowers on the balcony here
8. Cosmos
Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos helps in pollination as it acts as a magnet for insects like green lacewings that keep scales, thrips, and aphids away, besides attracting hoverflies, bees, butterflies.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Tomato, Eggplant, Chilli, Pepper
Check out the best fall flowers here
9. Dahlia
Botanical Name: Dahlia
With the ability to attract helpful bugs that keep the pesky, unwanted ones away, it makes for a stunning choice to grow in the vegetable garden.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Eggplants, Tomatoes, and Squash.
Check out the stunning flowers that start with ‘D’ here
10. Zinnia
Botanical Name: Zinnia
These nectar-rich flowers are great for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The pastel paler varieties also attract Japanese Beetles.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Beans
Have a look at the best Zinnia varieties here
11. Dandelion
Botanical Name: Taraxacum
Dandelions bloom for an extended period from early spring to late summers attracting several pollinators to the yellow feathery blooms. They also release ethylene which ripens fruits faster.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Beans, Apples, Tomatoes
Check out the natural ways to kill aphids here
12. Bee Balm
Botanical Name: Monarda
Its foliage has a delightful fragrance that helps in repelling pests while drawing in beneficial insects and pollinators.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Squashes and tomatoes.
Learn how to grow Bee Balm here
13. Lupine
Botanical Name: Lupinus
Lupine looks pretty, helps fix nitrogen in the soil, and attracts pollinators. The spiky, tall blooms start blooming in late spring to late summer.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cucumber, Spinach, Broccoli, and Squash
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14. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum
This lush groundcover with vibrant blooms is an excellent choice for attracting pollinators and repelling squash bugs, aphids, cabbage loopers, whiteflies, and many more.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cucumbers, Broccoli, Squash, Radish, Kale, and Tomato
Learn how to grow Nasturtium in containers here
15. Pansy
Botanical Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensis
With a subtle citrusy smell, this low-maintenance flowering plant is one of the best plants to attract pollinators in the winter months.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cabbages, Swiss Chards, Parsley, and Rosemary
Are Pansies edible? Click here
16. Flowering Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
The aromatic foliage and fragrant purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators while serving as a tasty culinary herb.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Brassicas, Eggplants, Potatoes, Shallots, Broccoli, Cabbage, Shallots, and Brussels Sprouts
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17. Alium
Botanical Name: Allium
Alium features clusters of oval flower stalks that attract bees and birds to your garden while keeping it free from leaf eaters such as deer and rabbits.
Best Vegetables to Grow With: Carrot, Lettuce, and Radish
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18. Lantana
Botanical Name: Lantana camara
The vibrant red, pink, blue, and orange flower clusters release sweet nectar that will attract masses of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.
Learn How to Grow Roses Vertically here
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