Gardening is Bliss. Dirty hands, earth worms, sun on my back as a bend over a garden bed – this to me is mediation in its purest form. If this sounds like your idea of bliss as well, read on for some gardening tips, my favorite tools, flower suggestions, and inspirational photos.

“The flower doesn’t dream of the bee. It blossoms and the bee comes.”

— Mark Nepo

A busy bee on the annual Narrow Leaf Zinnia.

Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Bees – Oh My!

Flower photos correspond with the descriptions from top to bottom, starting from the left.

Want to fill your space with Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Bees?

Of course you do! Here is what you need to plant.

1. Balloon Flower

This easy to grow perennial produces a star shaped flower that seemingly “pops” from a balloon-shaped bloom. In the Northeast, you can expect a bloom time of mid July to late August, but they can occasionally re-bloom in September if old flowers are removed. Balloon flowers will reseed and spread without being aggressive or invasive.

2. Bee Balm

Another hummingbird favorite, this summertime perennial is best known for its scarlet, spiky flowers (though it can come in , shades of purple, white and pink as well). These flowers have a strong and pleasant aroma and are actually edible. Be careful not to crowd them in your garden however, or they can develop a powdery mildew that is quite unattractive. Ironically this is not named because it attracts bees, but rather because of the medicinal qualities it offers for bee stings.

3. Yarrow

A favorite of bees and hummingbirds alike, Yarrow is easy-care, drought-tolerant summer herb that grows in domes of bright yellow, white, orange and shades or red. Long known for its medicinal qualities, Yarrow has been used around the world for thousands of years. Before the first frost, remember to cut your Yarrow down to about 1-2 inches above the soil line.

4. Columbine

This lovely spring and early summer perennial is a favorite of birds and butterflies and produces a beautiful bi-colored flower that adds a touch of elegance to your garden. There are several varieties and surprising color combinations, making this the perfect choice for adding diversity to a cottage garden. Dappled shade is best for this hummingbird darling.

5. Garden Phlox

Garden Phlox is a must for all kinds of pollinators and hummingbirds. It releases a subtle, sweet fragrance and produces a delicate collection of tiny flowers culminating into a bundle of vibrant blooms. Plant this beauty in plenty of sunlight and be wary of deer and bunnies as they will love the phlox as much as the pollinators.

6. Butterfly Weed

You will love the pop of bright orange color that this summer bloomer produces for about four weeks midsummer. Not only do Monarch butterflies adore this flower, they will also lay their eggs here – an obvious benefit for future generations of the endangered monarch. This tough, resistant flower produces beautiful foliage in spring and early summer, gorgeous orange flowers in mid to late summer, and aesthetically pleasing pods in the fall months.

7. Salvia

If you are looking for a perennial that gives you a bang for your buck, Salvia, with its long bloom season and hardy nature, will not disappoint. From Spring through Fall, Salvia provides a profusion of vibrant spikes in purple, blue, red, pink, and white. Once established, Salvia requires little work, being both drought resistant and heat resistant. And the hummies and butterflies cannot get enough of this nectar-rich flower!

8. Obedient Plant

This beautiful spiky perennial flourishes from late summer into the Fall. Its long stems can reach heights of up to three feet tall. While hummingbirds love the purple, pink and white varieties of this perennial, deer generally do not. With its upright, sturdy stems, this makes a fabulous cut flower for vases and wildflower arrangements.

9. Cone Flower

Sturdy, colorful and resilient are only a few of the pluses to this long blooming summer perennial. Native coneflowers come in shades of purple or yellow, however hybrid breeds come in a striking combination of colors and variations, They are relatively easy to grow and enjoy a mix of sun and shade. Not only do pollinators enjoy the nectar-rich flower, but you will delight in seeing the little Golden Finches perch on the center for a little on-the-go snack! Leave them be at the end of the season for the birds to enjoy. You can cut them back in the Spring.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. –

Vincent Van Gogh

A butterfly enjoys the Butterfly Weed in this pollinator garden.

A Butterfly Bush is another favorite amongst hummies and butterflies!

Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.

Mario Quintana

Don’t forget to add some annuals for vibrant color all season long!

A mix of perennials and annuals means yau will have a full season of color, pollinators and gorgeous cut flowers. Here are a few of my favorites!

First column from top to bottom: Lantana, Zinnia. Second column from top to bottom: Snapdragon, Dahlia Third Column from top to bottom: Cosmos, Impatiens