What To Plant Around Shrubs To Attract Hawaiian Pollinators

Hawaii’s pollinators are diverse: native solitary bees, endemic Hylaeus species, nocturnal moths and day-flying butterflies, and nectar-feeding native birds such as the ‘i’iwi and ‘apapane. Designing planting combinations around existing shrubs to support these pollinators requires attention to floral shape, bloom timing, nesting habitat and pesticide-free maintenance. This guide explains what to plant around shrubs in Hawaiian landscapes and gives practical, site-specific actions to maximize pollinator visits and survival.

Know the pollinators and what they need

Providing attractive flowers is only part of the solution. Different pollinators have distinct foraging behaviors, physical traits and nesting requirements. Match plants to pollinator needs.

Native bees and solitary Hylaeus

Small native bees (Hylaeus and other solitary bees) are often short-tongued and visit shallow, open flowers for pollen and nectar. They nest in dead stems, pithy twigs, rock crevices and bare ground. They need continuous spring-to-fall blooms and protected nesting substrate close to food resources.

Nectar-feeding birds (honeycreepers)

Native Hawaiian honeycreepers such as ‘i’iwi and ‘apapane prefer tubular, often curved flowers rich in nectar. They fly between trees and taller shrubs, so include plants at mid-to-canopy heights. Flower color red and tubular shape are frequently attractive, but nectar volume and accessibility are most important.

Moths and butterflies

Butterflies often prefer flat landing platforms and access to host plants for caterpillars. Moths (important nighttime pollinators) need night-fragrant white or pale blossoms and sheltered perches.

Flies, beetles and others

Many flies and small beetles pollinate open, bowl-shaped flowers. Larval habitat for some species requires decaying plant material or wet soil microhabitats.

Principles for planting around shrubs

Planting around existing shrubs should be strategic: create vertical and temporal diversity, preserve nesting resources, and avoid harmful chemicals.

Layering and spatial design

Place low groundcovers and perennials under and around shrubs to create horizontal continuity of blooms.
Include mid-height perennials and subshrubs between the shrub trunks and open lawn or bed edges to bridge feeding zones.
Leave some open bare ground patches and standing dead stems for ground-nesting and stem-nesting bees.

Bloom succession

Aim for continuous nectar and pollen from early spring through late fall. Combine early-bloomers, mid-season heavy producers, and late-season nectar plants.

Flower morphology and pollinator matching

For native bees: choose open, shallow flowers and composite blooms with exposed pollen.
For birds: select tubular, nectar-rich flowers at heights of 1.5-6 meters when possible, or at least provide mid-story plantings they can access.
For moths: include pale, fragrant evening-blooming plants.

Soil, water and microclimates

Group plants by water needs. Many Hawaiian natives prefer well-drained, often low-nutrient soils; over-fertilizing can reduce floral nectar quality.
Provide shelter from prevailing winds and place water sources (shallow birdbaths, damp soil patches) nearby.

Avoid pesticides and adopt integrated pest management (IPM)

Eliminate broad-spectrum insecticides. Use hand removal, barriers, biological controls and targeted, last-resort treatments.
If chemical control is unavoidable, apply at night when birds are inactive and bees are less active, and choose soft, pollinator-safer products.

Native plants to prioritize around shrubs

Native and endemic plants provide the best long-term value for Hawaiian pollinators because they fit local coevolutionary relationships. Below are proven choices and how to use them.

‘Ohi’a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)
What it attracts: Native honeycreepers (nectar feeders) and a range of native insects.
Bloom time: Variable by elevation and population; many trees flower intermittently year-round.
Placement: Use as a taller backdrop or plant a young specimen near shrub edges; if you already have shrubs, plant seedlings in adjacent open spots so birds will visit the layered canopy.
Care notes: Sensitive to Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death disease; obtain plants from reputable nurseries and practice hygiene (clean tools, avoid moving infected material).
‘Ilima (Sida fallax)
What it attracts: Bees, small butterflies and generalist pollinators.
Bloom time: Long blooming season; low-profile groundcover.
Placement: Excellent as an underplanting beneath taller shrubs and between pavers; fills in and provides continuous nectar.
Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola sericea) and Naupaka kuahiwi (Scaevola gaudichaudii)
What it attracts: Honeycreepers, generalist insects.
Bloom time: Many months of the year.
Placement: Use as mid-height filler around shrubs; tolerates coastal exposure (naupaka kahakai) or upland conditions (naupaka kuahiwi).
Hawaiian lobelioids (Clermontia and Cyanea species)
What they attract: Specialized nectar-feeding birds; many lobelioids have tubular, curved flowers perfect for honeycreepers.
Bloom time: Species dependent; many are seasonal but highly rewarding for bird sightings.
Placement: Plant in sheltered understory spots with consistent moisture and humus-rich soil.
Ma’o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
What it attracts: Birds and large bees; hibiscus flowers offer copious nectar and pollen.
Bloom time: Multiple blooms across warm months.
Placement: Use near shrub borders where tall flowers protrude above shrub canopy to be visible to birds.
Koki’o and other native hibiscus species
What it attracts: Birds and insects; large, showy flowers.
Placement: As accent plants near shrub gaps or along paths.

Useful non-invasive ornamentals that help pollinators

When native options are limited, select non-invasive ornamentals known to provide nectar and pollen without displacing local ecosystems.

Salvia species with tubular flowers (choose species known to be non-invasive in Hawaii).
Pentas and zinnias for steady nectar for small bees and butterflies (use sparingly and select sterile cultivars if invasive concerns exist).
Native-friendly lobelias and other nectar-rich perennials suited to local microclimates.

Always check with local native plant nurseries or extension services to confirm a cultivar’s invasive status for your island and elevation.

Practical planting plans and step-by-step actions

Survey and map current shrubs, sun exposure, prevailing wind, and soil moisture zones.
Select a minimum of three complementary species for each shrub area: a groundcover, a mid-story nectar plant, and a taller tubular-flowering shrub or tree where space allows.
Plant in clusters of 3-7 of the same species rather than single specimens; pollinators find clumped blooms more easily.
Preserve bare patches and keep some standing dead stems; create a small “bee hotel” with bundled hollow stems if you lack natural nesting sites.
Mulch lightly with coarse organic material, leaving gaps for ground nesters. Avoid deep, heavy mulch that buries nesting substrate.
Establish a watering schedule that matches plant needs; once native plants are established many require minimal supplemental water.
Monitor flowering throughout the year and fill any seasonal gaps with additional plantings to maintain continuous nectar supplies.
Avoid pesticides entirely; if needed, use targeted, least-toxic methods and time applications when pollinators are inactive.

Maintenance tips and long-term stewardship

Prune selectively: Avoid heavy pruning during peak bloom seasons. Stagger pruning to ensure some plants are always flowering.
Replace invasive species: Remove invasive groundcovers or shrubs that choke out natives; replace them with pollinator-friendly plants documented above.
Soil health: Keep soil fertility moderate. High nitrogen fertilizers favor leafy growth over flowering, reducing nectar production.
Encourage diversity: A mix of native and non-invasive supporting species increases resilience to pests, disease and climate shifts.
Community sourcing: Buy plants from native plant nurseries or restoration groups that ensure genetic appropriateness and disease-free stock.

Quick plant combinations by micro-site

Sunny, dry slope:
Understorey: ‘ilima (Sida fallax)
Mid-layer: ma’o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
Edge: clumps of drought-tolerant salvias or native Scaevola
Sheltered, moist understory:
Understorey: native ferns and low Clermontia species
Mid-layer: naupaka kuahiwi or native hibiscus
Canopy: young ‘ohia or a small native tree
Coastal, windy sites:
Groundcover: naupaka kahakai (Scaevola sericea)
Mid-layer: tough native shrubs with tubular flowers
Notes: avoid water-loving species; provide windbreaks with layered plantings

Practical takeaways

Prioritize native plants: They provide the best food and structural match for native pollinators.
Provide vertical and seasonal diversity: Combine groundcovers, mid-story plants and taller nectar sources and plan for continuous bloom.
Preserve nesting habitat: Leave bare ground patches, dead stems and woody debris for native bees.
Avoid pesticides: Use IPM and pollinator-safe practices exclusively.
Plant in clusters and match flower form to pollinator type: open flowers for small bees, tubular flowers for nectar-feeding birds.

Designing the area around existing shrubs to support Hawaiian pollinators is both practical and powerful. With thoughtful plant choices, small changes in structure and maintenance, and a commitment to protecting nesting and foraging habitat, any home garden or community greenspace can become a corridor that supports Hawaii’s unique pollinators for generations.