What are Attracting Flowers?

• Botanists call flowers that only have either the male or female reproductive organs imperfect flowers. In order to reproduce, the pollen produced by the stamens of male flowers must pass to the female flowers, which contain reproductive organs called pistils. Flowers attract bees, butterflies and even birds through the production of nectar. As the bees, butterflies and birds pass from flower to flower in search of nectar, they transfer pollen from male flowers onto the pistils of the female flowers, ensuring that the plants are able to reproduce.

Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds

• Hummingbirds are found as far north as Oregon in the United States. Hummingbirds feed on plant nectar and insects; each day, a hummingbird needs to eat the equivalent of half its body weight. Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers that produce a great amount of nectar, as nectar converts to energy very quickly it is once consumed. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to plants with red, orange or red-orange tubular flowers. Flowers such as those of the fuschia, sweet William and columbine plants are sure to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Through the summer, dahlia, hollyhock and sage are flowers that continue to attract hummingbirds.

Flowers To Attract Bees

• Bees are very important to the plant reproduction process. Many wildflowers in particular depend upon bees to transfer pollen from male flowers to female flowers. Bees also consume nectar as a source of energy and pollen, which provides them with protein, and they are attracted to flowers that produce an abundance of both pollen and nectar. Commercial orchard and fruit growers can encourage bees by planting flowers to attract them. Flowers that provide both nectar and pollen during the spring include shadbush, snowdrop and dandelion. The flowers of plum and cherry trees that appear in spring will also attract bees. In the summer, the flowers of St. John's Wort, evening primrose and thyme will attract bees, while aster and goldenrod flowers attract bees in the fall.

Flowers to Attract Butterflies

• Butterflies are particularly attracted to flowers that produce nectar. To attract butterflies to your garden, you should plant flowers that bloom from mid-summer to late summer, which is when butterflies are active. Coneflower and lilac flowers attract butterflies, as do the flowers of plants in the mint family, such as spearmint or peppermint, which produce a lot of nectar. Butterflies are attracted to annuals such as nasturtium and verbena flowers, and the flowers of red clover, thyme and scarlet bergamot.