Attract hummingbirds and butterflies by planting this with conifers

When most gardeners think of flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinatorsEchinacea is almost always among the perennial plants we think of. There are nine species of beautiful native cones that grow in North America. Since our favorite colorful garden visitors have evolved alongside natives such as conifers, they are more likely to recognize these bright colors as a food source. Once bees, butterflies and hummingbirds find your conifer flowers, the rich nectar and pollen is sure to keep them coming back for future feeding visits. While cones are iconic in their own right, adding other favorite pollinators is a surefire way to keep your garden vibrant all season long. One of the best plants to pair with echinacea is mint (Agastache).

Hummingbird mint is another breathtakingly beautiful native that pollinators can’t get enough of. In summer it produces showy flower spikes made up of small, tubular flowers. With so many color varieties to choose from, you have your pick of shades like blue, lavender, red, pink and orange. To add to its charm, this plant gives off a delicious licorice-like aroma. As a member of the mint family, this herbaceous perennial is just as valuable in the kitchen as it is in the garden. The leaves can be mixed into salads or brewed into a tea, and the seeds are also edible. Like the conifer, hummingbird mint is incredibly easy to grow. Even better, this pair of pollinator magnets will return year after year in zones 5 through 9.

You can start hummingbird mint seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area, and they usually bloom in their first year. Bury the small seeds about ¼ inch deep in well-drained soil and keep the soil moist until they germinate. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, a grow light works just as well. However, avoid incandescent bulbs as they can burn the plants. As the transplant date approaches, you can begin to harden off the seedlings by placing the containers outside during the day. Once they are ready, transplant them to a sunny part of your garden. Space them at least 16 inches apart to give each plant enough room to grow.

Conifers can also be started indoors, although they may take several years to reach maturity. luckily growing cones with hummingbird mint is relatively easy, as they have the same needs: well-drained soil, full sun, and about an inch of water each week. To what extent landscaping your flower bedboth plants will grow up to 5 feet tall, so you have a lot of flexibility in choosing your layout. The daisy-like flowers of Echinacea create a stunning contrast against the textured spikes of Agastache, so they’ll make a statement no matter how you arrange them. However, if you want to layer your plantings with a shorter favorite pollinator, you can add another companion, such as sage (Salvia officinalis), to the front row.