Pollinator Pots & Other Ways to Attract Bees to Your Garden

If you want your Colorado garden to bloom with life and vitality, there’s no better step than creating pollinator pots filled with the right plants. These vibrant containers bring color, function, and countless benefits to your outdoor space, and they’re perfectly suited for our Northern Colorado climate in hardiness zones 4b-6a.

We’ve seen firsthand how pollinator plants for pots can transform even the smallest garden spaces into thriving ecosystems that support local wildlife. Stop into Bath Garden Center here in Fort Collins to create stunning displays you’ll love all season long!

Benefits of Pollinators for Your Garden

Pollinators bring so much health to our gardens. Most flowering plants depend on pollinators to set fruit or produce seeds, making these buzzy creatures essential partners in any thriving garden. In Colorado, insect-pollinated crops contribute over $300 million annually to our economy, supporting everything from Front Range orchards to wildflower-filled meadows across our state.

When bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators visit your garden, you’ll notice healthier fruit production, more abundant blooms, and a richer, more vibrant ecosystem right outside your door. It’s a win-win relationship that benefits both your garden and Northern Colorado’s native wildlife.

Common Garden Pollinators

Northern Colorado gardens welcome many pollinator species beyond the familiar honey bee. Understanding who might visit your pollinator pots helps you choose the best plants for maximum impact.

Native bees are some of your garden’s hardest workers. The Western bumble bee thrives in Colorado’s cooler temperatures and excels at buzz-pollinating crops like squash and peppers. You may also spot tiny metallic green sweat bees, which visit an impressive variety of flowers throughout the growing season. Beneficial flies, particularly hoverflies, are excellent pollinators that provide double-duty: they visit small yellow flowers for nectar while their larvae help control aphid populations in your garden.

Butterflies and moths carry pollen as they sip nectar, creating beautiful movement in your garden while supporting plant reproduction. Many species rely on specific host plants, like milkweed for Monarch butterflies, making native plant choices especially important. Beetles also contribute to cross-pollination in native wildflowers, while hummingbirds seek out tubular, nectar-rich blooms that match their feeding preferences.

What is a Pollinator Pot?

A pollinator pot is simply a container planted with flowers and herbs specifically chosen to attract and nourish pollinators. These versatile gardens are perfect for patios, balconies, or small spaces where you want maximum impact in a manageable size.

Pollinator pots usually include a miniature water feature to hydrate your buzzy pals who stop by for a sip. You can purchase fancy bee watering stations online or upcycle used bottle caps and plates to hold water. Just be sure you place pebbles or rocks in your watering station so your pollinators have a place to rest while they sip, and check the water level frequently to ensure you keep up with evaporation.

The key to successful pollinator pots is choosing plants that bloom at different times throughout the season, offer various flower shapes and colors, and provide the specific nectar and pollen sources that local pollinators need. You’ll also want to utilize plants that are ideal for our hardiness zones and establish quickly, giving you almost immediate results.

7 Pollinator Plants for Pots, Yards, and Gardens

1. Chives

Chives produce umbrella-like blooms loaded with nectar. They’re a big favorite with bumblebees and do best in raised beds and pots. If the pot remains well-drained, chives will do well in most soils, including dry clay. You only need to water once or twice a week, making Chives a great, low-maintenance choice.

2. Marigolds

Various species of Marigolds will often appear in wildflower seed mixtures adapted for Colorado. Bees and other small pollinators visit the bright yellow and orange puffballs of sunshine. Marigolds do well in full sun with moderate water needs.

3. Squash

Gourd species like squash and pumpkins produce large flowers that attract friendly pollinators. You can plant these in large containers or even in the ground around your pollinator pot, offering a multi-level buffet for your buzzing buddies!

4. Wildflowers

The Colorado Wildflower Mix includes native blends that support habitat diversity. These mixes bloom across the season, providing food to butterflies, bees, and hoverflies.

5. Coneflower

The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) is a drought-tolerant, hardy perennial. This classic flower attracts pollinators of all kinds and blooms from midsummer into the fall. It can also come in a variety of colors!

6. Currants

There are a few species of currants, including red and black varieties. Currants produce early spring blossoms loaded with nectar and support pollinators waking up from their winter season. Currants thrive in our Front Range conditions.

7. Bee Balm

Bee Balm creates clusters of fragrant, tubular red, pink, or purple flowers that hummingbirds and bumble bees find irresistible. Once established, these hardy perennials are drought-tolerant.

Bath Garden Center: Supporting Pollinators for 65 Years

Bath Garden Center has been championing pollinator gardening for decades. We know all about the unique gardening challenges in Northern Colorado’s elevation and climate, and we carefully select pollinator plants that thrive in zones 4b-6a.

Stop by Bath Garden Center to explore our selection of pollinator-friendly plants, get advice on pollinator pot combinations, or ask questions about supporting pollinators in your specific garden. We are passionate about helping you create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial.

Your pollinator pots can become a vital habitat that supports Colorado’s native species while bringing joy and beauty to your everyday outdoor experience. Let’s grow something amazing together!