The purple coneflower is a popular plant in pollinator gardens. (Submitted photo)

Pollinator gardens are usually filled with lovely perennial flowers that allow bees, birds and butterflies to find the nectar needed for their food, and in turn, pollinate the flowers continuing the species.

Living for two seasons or more, they completely die back in winter, but the roots remain below ground to emerge in spring.

Leaving the dead stems to remain throughout winter provides seeds for birds, and insects lay their eggs in the dead stems, hatching in spring. Providing a variety of colors in the garden, perennials will bloom at various times throughout summer and into autumn.

The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a popular plant that can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or dividing the roots. This large daisylike flower has long stalks with lanceolate leaves and can bloom from June through October.

To prolong the bloom time, deadhead the spent flowers or cut back a few plants by 1 foot, letting them bloom later in the season. Requiring well-drained soil in full sun, the violet, white or pink flowers can reach 3 to 5 feet, with dark green foliage. The goldfinch visits this plant in the fall finding seeds, and during the summer, it attracts butterflies and soldier beetles.

Attracting beneficial insects, especially bees, catmint (Nepeta mussinii), is an easy-to-grow perennial that blooms throughout the summer and into early fall. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is easily grown, spreading 1 to 3 feet, with blue, violet or white flowers. Resistant to deer and non-invasive, it is attractive as an edge plant or ground cover in rock gardens.

Edible flowers are always welcome, and the bee balm (Monarda didyma) is no exception. Of the mint family, it is native to the North Carolina mountains, and with its red bracts, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Often called Oswego tea, it has ragged flowers resembling raffia, with leaves paired on a square stem, like all plants in the mint family.

Because I raise monarch butterflies, an absolute must in my garden is milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on the milkweed leaf, which provides nutrients for the hatched caterpillar, giving an unpleasant taste to any insect or bird looking to dine on them.

Although a native flower, both common and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) can become aggressive by sending rhizomes (underground roots) or releasing their seed pods in autumn.

This biannual plant, when blooming, releases an amazing fragrance in midsummer. The red or pink flowers are complex, comprising of what appears to be one ball-like flower that are actually many delicate, detailed flowers. Common milkweed, at 5 feet, has large ovate leaves and the 4-foot swamp milkweed has narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Both plants are essential for monarch butterflies, which is why it holds a special place in my garden.

I am thankful because each of these plants was gifted to me by wonderful neighbors who understand the importance of our native wildlife and enjoy the beauty of nature. It keeps us healthy and reconnected to our natural world.

For more information on these and other favorites of mine, go to https://go.osu.edu/favoriteperennials.

Kane Shipka is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.