Plant Science & Conservation
Garden Stories
Can Cultivars Attract Pollinators?
New research says yes
Walk into any garden center in spring and you’ll face a familiar dilemma: choose plants that look beautiful or ones that support pollinators. For years, the advice has leaned toward native plants for pollinators, with cultivars—bred for traits like color, size, or form—often viewed with hesitation.
But new research from the Chicago Botanic Garden suggests that choice may not be so clear-cut. Some cultivated plants can still support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, the researchers found.
“In many cases, cultivars attracted similar numbers of pollinators as native plants,” said Nick Dorian, Ph.D., co-lead author and postdoctoral research associate in the Program in Plant Biology and Conservation, a partnership between Northwestern University and the Garden. “That tells us they don’t need to be dismissed entirely when a gardener’s primary goal is simply to bring pollinators into a garden.”
Longhorn bee (Melissodes druriellus) on new england aster
Photo: Nick Dorian, Ph.D.
Putting cultivars to the test
To better understand how cultivars perform, Dorian, along with scientists at the Garden’s Negaunee Institute and horticulturists working in the Plant Evaluation Program collaborated to analyze pollinator activity across a mix of native plants and their cultivated counterparts (often referred to as “nativars”). The findings were consistent across two datasets: trials at the Garden and observations from community scientists at their home gardens across eastern United States, bringing together both controlled and real-world garden conditions.
Published in Ecosphere, the study found that not all cultivars are created equal. Performance varies widely depending on the plant.
For example, certain cultivars of species like beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) attracted pollinators at levels comparable to their native forms. Others fell short.
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) offered a particularly telling case: compact, mounded cultivars, which are often bred for tidy garden borders, tended to attract fewer pollinators than their taller native counterparts.
“That was one of the patterns that stood out,” Dorian said. “It suggests that traits like plant height or structure may influence how attractive a plant is to pollinators.”
Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden—site of the cultivar evaluation
Photo: Nick Dorian, Ph.D.
What this means for your garden
If your goal is to support pollinators, native plants remain the gold standard. They have co-evolved with local insects and consistently provide unmatched ecological value.
But the research suggests a more flexible approach for gardeners who might also want to prioritize design, space, and availability.
“Ecological value and aesthetic appeal do not necessarily have to be at odds,” Dorian said. “While native plants were always the best performers, some cultivars may still play a meaningful role, at least in attracting pollinators.”
That can be especially helpful when native species are hard to find or when gardeners are working within constraints, such as smaller spaces or specific design goals.
The key is to be selective and well-informed. Look for cultivars that have been researched and evaluated for pollinator use, rather than assuming all will perform equally well.
While cultivars may have a place in home gardens, they’re not a substitute for native plants when the goal is ecological restoration or when gardeners are aiming to create a native habitat at home. Scientists are still working to understand how they interact with wild plant populations and ecosystems.
Bufflehead mason bee (Osmia bucephala) on penstemon digitalis
Photo: Nick Dorian, Ph.D.
Attraction isn’t everything
There’s an important caveat to keep in mind: This study measured how often pollinators visited different plants, not whether those plants actually support pollinators over time.
“We measured attractiveness of cultivars, not whether they allow pollinators to complete their life cycles,” Dorian noted. “While visitation may correspond to plant quality, that’s still an open question.”
In other words, a plant that attracts bees or butterflies isn’t necessarily providing the nutrition they need to survive and reproduce. Think of it as the difference between a quick snack and a full, sustaining meal.
Future research may help answer that question. For now, it’s a reminder that attracting pollinators is only part of the picture.
Example pollinator garden
Photo: Nick Dorian, Ph.D.
How to choose plants for pollinators
Start with native plants whenever possible. They remain the most reliable choice for supporting pollinators. You won’t find a wide selection at big-box stores. Local native plant sales and specialty nurseries are usually the best places to look. Then, if you’re considering cultivars, seek out varieties that have demonstrated pollinator appeal, and be mindful of traits that may reduce their usefulness.
“High-performing cultivars might be nice complements to native plants, especially when availability or design is a constraint.” Dorian said.