Popularity, clearly labeled
The Most Popular Plants Tagged for Pollinators in Zone 5
These are the genera Sow gardeners save most among plants carrying the catalog’s broad pollinator tag. For region- and season-specific habitat planning, explore our evidence-backed pollinator guides. Every representative here is catalog-rated hardy in Zone 5, whose standard minimum-temperature band begins near -20°F. The popularity ranking is recomputed only among matching Zone 5 records; hardiness alone does not establish that a plant will thrive on a particular site.

Milkweed
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 15 varieties. Milkweeds are essential monarch host plants as well as rich nectar sources.
Zones 4–9All 15 varieties →
Coneflower
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 190 varieties. Prominent cones support pollinators, then leave seed heads that feed birds.
Zones 4–9All 190 varieties →
Muhly Grass
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 13 varieties. Airy pink or cream seed heads create a luminous cloud above fine foliage.
Zones 5–10All 13 varieties →
Sage
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 176 varieties. Aromatic leaves and upright nectar-rich flowers perform through heat and lean soil.
Zones 4–9All 176 varieties →
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 106 varieties. Generous flower heads and long-lasting structure carry a border from summer onward.
Zones 4–9All 106 varieties →
Hollyhock
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 29 varieties. Towering flower spires bring cottage-garden height without demanding much ground space.
Zones 4–9All 29 varieties →
Black-eyed Susan
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 31 varieties. Dark-centered gold daisies create a durable bridge from summer into fall.
Zones 4–10All 31 varieties →
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 132 varieties. From creeping mats to tall fragrant panicles, phlox fills several garden layers.
Zones 4–8All 132 varieties →
Butterfly Bush
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 80 varieties. Long, fragrant flower panicles become busy landing strips for butterflies.
Zones 5–9All 80 varieties →
10Nepeta
Catmint
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 27 varieties. Aromatic gray foliage and blue flower haze make an easy, billowing edge.
Zones 4–8All 27 varieties →
Blanket Flower
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 24 varieties. Warm, banded daisies keep flowering through heat that slows many perennials.
Zones 4–10All 24 varieties →
12Zinnia
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 17 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.
Zones 5–10All 17 varieties →
13Baptisia
False Indigo
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 38 varieties. Shrub-like clumps carry lupine-shaped flowers, then ornamental charcoal seedpods.
Zones 5–8All 38 varieties →
14Aster
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 39 varieties. Daisy flowers extend the border season and offer late forage for insects.
Zones 4–8All 39 varieties →
American Aster
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 24 varieties. North American asters provide essential late nectar in clouds of small daisies.
Zones 4–8All 24 varieties →
16Lupinus
Lupine
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 40 varieties. Palm-shaped leaves and dense flower spires bring bold meadow structure.
Zones 4–9All 40 varieties →
17Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 19 varieties. Tubular, often fragrant flowers turn fences into nectar-rich habitat.
Zones 4–10All 19 varieties →
Columbine
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 58 varieties. Nodding, spurred flowers bring intricate form to the lightly shaded spring garden.
Zones 4–8All 58 varieties →
19Dahlia
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 126 varieties. From neat pompons to dinner-plate blooms, dahlias deliver late-season spectacle.
Zones 5–10All 126 varieties →
Beardtongue
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 49 varieties. Tubular flowers rise above tidy foliage and supply nectar in lean, sunny soil.
Zones 4–9All 49 varieties →
About this list
How was this the most popular plants tagged for pollinators in zone 5 list ranked?
A plant must first match the catalog filters named in the title. Each genus is represented and ranked by its most-saved matching variety, so genera with many cultivars do not receive an automatic advantage.
Are all of these hardy in Zone 5?
Yes — every plant on this list is rated for Zone 5. Plants that could not survive a Zone 5 winter were excluded before ranking.
Track these in your garden
Save the ones you plant and get care reminders timed to Zone 5.
Keep exploring
Planning pollinator habitat?
More popularity lists
- Most Popular Perennials for Shade
- Most Popular Deer-Resistant Perennials
- Most Popular Plants Tagged for Pollinators
- Most Popular Drought-Tolerant Plants
- Most Popular Flowering Shrubs
- Most Popular Groundcovers for Shade
- Most Popular Privacy Shrubs and Screening Plants
- Most Popular North American Native Perennials


