I'm looking for plants that will thrive in a sunny area that gets intense summer heat. Specifically, I want to know what I can plant that will not only survive the heat but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Any recommendations?
6 Answers
You can also visit xerces.com to find plants that are perfect for your area. They have great guides for choosing the right plants for pollinators based on your location.
You might also want to try Mexican sunflowers and zinnias. They not only tolerate heat but are fantastic at attracting various pollinators.
Just as a reminder, it's tough to give specific advice without knowing your location. Different areas have different native plants that work best for attracting pollinators. It might be helpful to check out local resources!
For sunny, hot spots, consider planting bee balm and Joe Pye Weed. They do really well and are great for attracting pollinators! Just a heads up though, some people worry about bee balm being invasive in certain areas, so check what’s local for you.
Cilantro is a surprising option! If you let it flower, you'll see a good variety of pollinators come around. Just be aware it bolts fast in the heat, but it’s still worth it if you want pollinator visitors!
Milkweed is an awesome choice! It's native and supports monarch butterflies. I used to have a butterfly bush, but they can be invasive, so switching to milkweed this year sounds like a smart move.

I had heard that too! I’ll look into it further. Thanks!