Pollinator-Friendly Garden Plants for Southern California
A pollinator garden is good for the planet and gorgeous in its own right. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to nectar-rich, low-water plants that happen to thrive in Southern California's climate — so you can support local wildlife while cutting your water bill. Here is how to build one.
Best pollinator plants for SoCal
- Cleveland sage and other salvias: magnets for bees and hummingbirds, fragrant and drought-tough.
- California fuchsia: blazing orange-red blooms hummingbirds can't resist, right when little else is flowering.
- Milkweed: the essential host plant for monarch butterflies — plant native narrowleaf milkweed.
- Lantana and lavender: long-blooming butterfly favorites that handle heat with ease.
- Yarrow and buckwheat: flat flower clusters that feed beneficial insects and native bees.
Design for a long bloom season
Pollinators need food year-round, so choose plants that bloom in different seasons. Aim for something flowering in every month, with drifts of the same plant grouped together — big blocks of color are easier for pollinators to find than scattered singles.
Skip the pesticides
Broad-spectrum insecticides kill the very pollinators you are trying to attract. A healthy, diverse garden builds its own balance, with beneficial insects keeping pests in check. If you must treat a problem, spot-treat in the evening when pollinators are not active.
Add water and shelter
A shallow dish with pebbles gives bees and butterflies a safe place to drink. Leaving a few bare patches of soil and some leaf litter provides nesting spots for native ground bees, most of which do not sting.
Frequently asked questions
Will a pollinator garden attract too many bees?
Native bees are gentle and focused on flowers, not people. The benefit to your garden's bloom and fruit set far outweighs any concern.
Do pollinator plants need a lot of water?
No — most California natives and Mediterranean pollinator plants are quite drought tolerant once established.
Arbol Roble has cared for Inland Empire landscapes since 1997, serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona and Riverside. Request a free quote or browse our residential and commercial services.
About the Author
The Arbol Roble team are licensed landscaping and irrigation professionals (CSLB License #1077455) serving Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Eastvale, Corona, Riverside, and the greater Inland Empire.