Pollin
many gardeners. Stagg recommends the Salvia guaranitica species for Louisiana, as it tends to perennialize better than others.
Gaura. This 2025 Louisiana Super Plant is a pollinator magnet featuring delicate, nectar- rich flowers on tall stems. Color choices include white and various shades of pink.
Lantana. Another popular choice for attracting pollinators, species and hybrids in the Lantana genus are heat tolerant and reliably bloom all summer. Newer lantanas come in many colors and have a smaller, more mounded shape than older selections.
You also can incorporate plants that cater to moths and butterflies, which begin life as caterpillars. Some species are picky eaters, feeding only on specific host plants. Monarch butterfly caterpillars, for example, exclusively eat milkweed (native species are ideal), which is also where adults lay their eggs.
And, while we usually think of pollinators as insects, remember that hummingbirds play a role in moving pollen around, too. Try adding plants that they like — look for brightly colored, tube-shaped flowers that accommodate their long beaks and tongues. A great option is Vermillionaire cuphea, a newly named Louisiana Super Plant.
