Looking for something new to add to the garden? These pollinator friendly plants were highlights previously on our NC State IPM Extension facebook page. More information on any of these species can be found on the The North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

Slender Vervain (Verbena rigida) is a naturalized tuberous perennial that is very tolerant of heat and drought. Its branched stems hold 2 to 3-inch clusters of purple to lilac flowers. The flowers will bloom for an extended period of time from early summer well into late fall. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, and also other pollinators. One of the best ways to distinguish Slender Vervain (1-2ft tall) from Purpletop/Tall Verbena (4-5ft) is the height difference and the stiff erect spikes that hold the flowers. #whatsbloomingnc

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a drought tolerant perennial, evergreen shrub in the mint family that is valued for its fragrant, ornamental foliage and is often used in my own kitchen as a culinary herb. The shrub grows from 4 to 7 feet tall and is generally upright and rounded, however some varieties grow low and bushy. Rosemary can also be shaped through selective pruning. Its needle-like leaves are grayish-green on the upper surface while the underside is powdery white with a dense layer of short, matted hairs. The flowers are small, pale blue, lavender, pink, or white, and are two-lipped and whorled around the square stems. While it is not native to the US, it does very well in NC and provides a great addition to any pollinator garden. These early season blooms are attractive to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other insect pollinators. #whatsbloomingnc

Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) is an unusual herbaceous perennial forb in the carrot family. Its bluish green foliage is almost always a rosette with a few rudimentary leaves on the flower spikes. The sword-shaped leaves have parallel veins, spiny margins and a pointed tip, resembling yucca leaves. A stiff upright stem holds a striking golf ball like flowers. The flowers attract many beneficial insects to the garden including flies, bees, and butterflies through mid-August. It is native to open woodlands and tall grass prairies of the central United States and is also distributed across many eastern states, including North Carolina. It may grow 4 to 5 feet tall and spread 2 to 3 feet wide. This plant works well in the middle of perennial borders or planted in small groups in open woodlands, naturalized areas, and pollinator gardens. A second variety (var. synchaetum) is also common to the coastal plains and wet savannas of southeastern NC to Florida. #whatsbloomingnc

Blue Lobelia (Lobelia puberula) is a herbaceous perennial that may grow up to 4 feet tall. The leaves are alternate with a toothed margin. Blue Lobelia seems to have a majority of its flowers arranged on one side. It forms a spiked flower with deep blue to purple flowers from late summer to early fall. This late bloomer offers a blast of color in September gardens; including perennial borders, wild and native plant gardens, and also pollinator gardens. Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators including bees are usually attracted to Lobelia. It’s flowers also have one white stripe or mark on the tube portion, while the Great Blue Lobelia generally has two stripes.

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) or Maypop is an aggressive rapid-growing, trailing vine that can reach up to 25 ft. long. It is native to the southeastern U.S. and blooms usually appear in June through early October. It is common across N.C. and is found in open disturbed areas such as old fields, fence posts, pastures, and roadsides. Passionflower provides pollen and nectar for pollinators, is a larval host plant for several butterflies, and is a food source for the native Gulf fritillary butterfly. The passion flower is known for its beautiful and unique flowers with purple crown fringed flowers having 10 white petals and sepals and a central crown of pinkish-purple filaments. #whatsbloomingnc