ultraviolet

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Looking to attract a wide variety of pollinators to your garden? Pycnanthemum muticum is a performer, flowers in June, and lasts for months. Go big with it and dedicate some space for it to spread. In the above image, right side, simulated "bee vision" reveals a wide colorful swath of this planting.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

The right side image shows Rudbeckia hirta in simulated "bee vision." Like us, honey bees have receptors for three primary colors, however, where they lack red they make up for in ultraviolet. With ultraviolet, additional features of the flower are present, serving as a beacon for the pollinators with which it has co-evolved.

Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus var. Alba)

With ultraviolet added, a distinct "bull's eye" around the reproductive parts of this flower can be seen.