If you’re looking for a beautiful native plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, Stokes’ Aster (Stokesia laevis) is a good choice. I spent an hour in the Perennial border in the South Carolina Botanical Garden on the last Thursday in May observing this plant. This is just a sample of the pollinator visitors I saw (the ones that stayed still enough to photograph). Hummingbirds and many Halictus bee species also visit for nectar.
Stokes’ Aster (Stokesia laevis) in the Perennial Border in front of the Hayden Conference Center.
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
Bumblebee (Bombus sp.).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
Carpenter-mimic leafcutter bee (Megachile xylocopoides).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
Silver-Spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
American lady (Vanessa virginiensis).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
Tumbling flower beetles (Family Mordellidae).
Sue Watts, ©2024, SC Botanical Gardens, Clemson University
