This is the second season for my pollinator garden and today we are talking about pollinator plants.

As the gardening season winds down and autumn settles in, it’s time for reflection. Throughout the year, I’ve been on a quest to create a garden that looks good all season long. No easy task. With the growing season now over, it’s the perfect moment to give my garden a grade and spotlight a couple of star performers.

YouTube video discussing how I graded the second season of my Pollinator garden

If you prefer to read about pollinator plants rather than watch videos, I have included a summary below.

The Quest for Year-Round Garden Beauty with Pollinator Plants

Pollinator plants for 2024 garden season — View of the pollinator garden in July

My pollinator garden, located at the front of my house, is always in the spotlight. It’s essential that the pollinator plants look presentable from spring through fall. The season kicks off in April with a burst of daffodils, but as I look back on this year, I see room for improvement. Adding more daffodils to brighten up the early spring garden might be just what it needs to kick start the season.

As the weeks passed, the garden began to fill in with self-seeded forget-me-nots and the delicate beauty of irises by mid-May. But one plant that truly stood out from the crowd of pollinator plants was Penstemon Midnight Masquerade.

A+ Performer #1: Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquerade’ (Penstemon digitalis)

This plant was an absolute superstar. By May 17th, its deep purple foliage was stunning, pairing perfectly with my Japanese maple. As June rolled in, the penstemon burst into full bloom with delicate pink flowers that drew in bumblebees and other pollinators. Its strong stems never flopped, maintaining its upright structure all season long. Making this one of my favorite pollinator plants.

Penstemon 'Midnight Masquarade' is a great pollinator plant — Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquarade’ in the June pollinator garden

Even after the flowers faded in early July, the rich purple foliage of the Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquerade’ continued to shine. Throughout July, August, and well into September, this plant held its own. By October 12th, when most of the garden had begun to fade, the penstemon still looked incredible. For its incredible performance throughout the year, Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquerade’ earns an A+.

Penstemon 'Midnight Mascarade' in the July garden — Penstemon ‘Midnight Mascarade’ in the July pollinator garden

A+ Performer #2: White Blooming Nepeta (Calamintha Nepeta)

The second standout this season was my white Blooming Nepeta (Nepeta Calamintha). By mid-July, it was flourishing, contributing to the lush landscape alongside alliums, zinnias, and coneflowers.

Calamintha nepeta is one of the great pollinator plants — Calamintha Nepeta in the July pollinator garden (lower right) with its fluffy texture

Its soft, fluffy white blooms added a beautiful contrast, and even as other flowers began to fade, the nepeta remained strong. By October, with the garden winding down, the nepeta was still attracting pollinators. Its endurance throughout the season earns Nepeta Calamintha an A+ rating as well. It is a pollinator magnet.

A+ Performer #3: Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (Oenothera lindheimeri)

One more plant that truly earned an A+ in my garden this season is Gaura Whirling Butterflies. This delicate beauty, with its airy white blooms that seem to dance in the breeze, added movement and grace to the garden from early summer all the way into fall.

Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies' seen in the pollinator garden — Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (seen in foreground) in the July pollinator garden

The long, slender stems of this gaura attracted pollinators, including bees and butterflies, all season long. Not only did it handle the summer heat like a pro, but it also paired well with other pollinator favorites, providing a soft, ethereal texture that complemented the more structured plants around it. It’s definitely a plant I’ll be relying on for its long-lasting performance.

The Pollinator Garden Report Card

While the Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquerade’, Calamintha nepeta, and Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ were clear winners, my overall garden still has room for improvement. By late August, some plants, like the bee balm, were looking past their prime, and by the end of September, the zinnias had also begun to show signs of wear. These are things I’ll keep in mind for next season’s planning.

In the end, I’d give my pollinator garden a B- for the season. It’s only the second year for this space, and there’s still work to be done to ensure that it stays looking good all year long. I’m excited about what next season will bring, especially with these A+ plants continuing to play a starring role.

If you have any plant suggestions that stand out in your garden from spring to fall, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment with your recommendations, and let’s continue this quest for a garden that looks amazing through every season.

Until next time, happy gardening!