The 2026 Landscaping Annual Plant Of The Year Will Attract Birds & Pollinators

If you're wondering how to start a pollinator garden this year, consider adding the Señorita Rosalita Cleome (Cleome Inncleosr) to it. The was just given the "2026 Landscape Annual of the Year" award from Proven Winners, and we can't get enough of it. This spider flower stands roughly four feet tall, and is a vibrant lavender-pink centerpiece for any flower bed. Beyond its good looks, the real magic lies in its ability to bring life to your yard. It creates plenty of nectar that's great for pollinators needing a reliable snack. Flowers that are eye-catching and great for pollinators are a win in our book.

But this plant's victories don't stop there. Unlike traditional Cleomes, the Señorita Rosalita is a sterile hybrid. This means it doesn't waste energy producing seeds and only focuses on creating a nonstop display of blossoms from spring until the first frost. And the unique shape of its flowers (with long and delicate stamens) provides the perfect landing pad for bees, birds, and other helpful pollinators.

Also, since it grows upright and sturdy, you won't need to worry about it flopping over after a drenching summer rain. Adding the Señorita Rosalita's gorgeous elegant blooms to your home's landscape (regardless of where you plant it) is a great choice. It not only boosts the overall look of your garden, but it'll also create a bustling ecosystem for birds and butterflies (just avoid these mistakes if you're trying to attract pollinators successfully). The lovely flower will ensure your garden stays a high-traffic hub for nature's most important visitors all season long.

One of the best reasons to add the Señorita Rosalita to your 2026 landscape is how little it asks of you in return. Most high-impact flowers require constant deadheading to stay looking fresh, but this Cleome takes care of things by itself. So, any old blooms simply drop away and new ones take their place quickly without any help from your pruning shears. It's also famously tough, standing up to intense summer heat and dry spells without wilting. This makes it a great choice for busy (or beginner) homeowners who want a magazine-worthy garden without spending every Saturday morning on maintaining it. The annual is even thornless and odorless, so you can plant it near sidewalks without any worries.

The Señorita Rosalita is ideal for USDA Hardiness zones 9-10, and it loves medium-to-dry soil and getting full sun. It works beautifully as a focal point in the center of large planters or as a backdrop in landscape beds for any other perennial plants that will bring beauty to your garden. Because it's so resilient, it rarely suffers from the diseases that plague other ornamental flowers. This plant truly bridges the gap between aesthetic flowers and everyday durable garden bed flowers, and that's just plain fun. By choosing Señorita Rosalita, you're investing in a landscape that looks lush, stays healthy, and supports local pollinators with almost zero effort.

With its low-maintenance needs and stunning looks, it should be an easy choice to welcome the Señorita Rosalita Cleome to your yard. It's the rare garden addition that gives back just as much as it grows. What's not to like about that?