While native plants are ideal for pollinators, other options exist that are still beneficial. The table below includes some selections that can be valuable to pollinators.

Some non-native annuals can provide adequate pollen and nectar. Because these floral rewards may not be as similar to the nutrition provided by a native plant, we recommend that no more than 50% of your pollinator garden contain non-native annuals.

Horticultural perennials that are derived from native plants are also options for your garden. These include plants that have been selectively bred from native stock to produce a greater variety of colours, floral shapes, and sizes.

There may be perennial plants available in greenhouses that are native to other grasslands or meadows, but not found in Manitoba. If they are similar to native plants (in the same genus, for example), they may be excellent additions to your gardens.

Garden herbs can be beneficial as well. Consider letting some of your herbs go to flower to help feed the bees!

In all cases, you must be cautious about the use of pesticides in these alternatives. Systemic pesticides (like neonics) can remain in plant tissues, contaminating leaves, pollen, and nectar. You can review our list of acceptable categories for pesticide use (Protecting Pollinators from Pesticides section) to help you have a discussion with your local grower.

Annuals

Common Name	Genus	Colour	Height	Sun
Calendula	Calendula	Yellow-Orange	30-90cm	Full to Part
Canna Lily	Canna	Red	Up to 2m	Full to Part
Cosmos	Cosmos	Variety	Up to 1m	Full
Egyptian Star Flower	Pentas	White to Red	30-90cm	Full
Globe Amaranth	Gomphrena	Red to Purple	30-60cm	Full to Part
Heliotrope	Heliotropium	Purple	30-60cm	Full
Hybrid Sunflower	Helianthus	Yellow	Up to 2m	Full
Lobelia	Lobelia	Purple/Blue	Spiller, or 6cm	Full to Part
Marigolds	Tagetes	Yellow to Orange	15-30cm	Full
Nasturtiums	Tropaeolum	Yellow to Red	Spiller	Full
Purslane	Portulaca	Yellow	15cm	Full
Spider Flowers	Cleome	Pink	30-100cm	Full to Part
Verbena	Verbena	Purple	30cm	Full
Zinnias	Zinnia	Variety	15-30cm	Full

 

Perennials native to other prairie Regions or Varieties derived from native plants

Common Name	Genus	Colour	Height	Sun
Allium/chives	Allium	Purple, pink	30-90cm	Full
Beebalm	Monarda	Red, purple, pink	60-90cm	Full
Blanket Flower	Gaillardia	Yellow, red, orange	30-80cm	Full
Blazingstar	Liatris	Purple, white	45-70cm	Full
Coneflower	Echinacea	Purple, pink, red	30-90cm	Full
Salvia, Russian Sage	Salvia	Purple	Up to 1m	Full

 

Perennials that are annual in Manitoba

Common Name	Genus	Colour	Height	Sun
Beeblossom	Oenothera (Gaura)	White to Pink	Up to 1m	Full
Bush Daisy	Euryops	Yellow	Shubby, up to 1m	Full
Million Bells	Calibrachoa	Various	Spiller	Full to part
Oregano	Origanum	Pink	30-80cm	Full