By Amy Melissa Witt

Best inflorescence types for beneficial insects:

Umbels – umbrella-like clusters (Dill, Queen Anne’s Lace, Angelica, Fennel, Yarrow)
Composites – tiny center flowers, surrounded by rays (Sunflowers, Daisies, Coneflowers, Cosmos)
Spikes – group of flowers arising from main stem (Lavender, Goldenrod, Hyssop)
Cups – (Evening Primrose, Buttercup)

Plants
Below is a list of some of the best plants for beneficial insects. Include as many of these plants as possible in your garden to attract, encourage, and support a broad diversity of beneficial insects.  In addition to planting these plants, always allow your garden to stand through the winter months so beneficial insects have a place to overwinter.

Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia species
Boltonia – Boltonia asteroides
Common Boneset – Eupatorium perfoliatum
Cosmos – Cosmos bipinnatus
Culver’s root – Veronicastrum virginicum
Dill – Anethum graveolens
Goldenrod – Solidago species
Hardy Aster – Symphyotrichum species
Meadowsweet – Spirea alba
Mountain Mint – Pycnanthemum species
Shasta Daisy – Leucanthemum x superbum
Sunflower – Helianthus annuus
Sweet Alyssum – Labularia maritima
Tickseed – Coreopsis species
Yarrow – Achillea millefolium