Plants that attract pollinators + beneficial insects

Imagine your garden as a bustling metropolis where tiny heroes work around the clock to protect your precious plants. While we gardeners often wage war against unwanted pests, the secret to a thriving Bay Area garden might actually be inviting more insects in—the right ones, that is!

Lucky for us, many adult beneficial insects feed on pollen, nectar, or plant juices to supplement or replace their insect diet. And here’s the fascinating part: it’s often their hungry larvae that devour the majority of garden pests! By providing a stable habitat, such as a perennial border, we’re essentially creating a “home base” for these predatory allies to live, feed, and raise their pest-munching offspring. So before you break out that mower or tiller, remember that your “bug bank” is a valuable investment in your garden’s health.

The following plants will roll out the welcome mat for both pollinators and beneficial predators: