Bees are crucial to your garden’s ecosystem, doing the vital work of pollination, which is essential for much of our food. Planting flowers that attract bees not only helps these vital pollinators but also benefits your entire garden. To draw in these beneficial insects, take a look at our selection of bee-friendly flowers.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a fantastic perennial that bees love. Its vibrant red, pink, purple, and white flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, and even hummingbirds. Bee balm grows well in bright sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It supports pollinators by providing easy access to nectar and pollen.
Crocus
Crocuses should be called the early birds of the flower world. They appear in vibrant shades of purple, yellow, and white as one of the first signs of spring. They’re a lifeline for bees, offering crucial nourishment after a long winter. Crocuses make it easy for bees to access pollen and nectar with their cup-shaped petals. These blooms play a vital role in supporting bees through late winter and early spring.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a real treat for a garden. Their bright yellow blooms follow the sun and attract bees, birds, and butterflies. These cheerful flowers are an ideal haven for pollinators as they are packed with pollen. Sunflowers grow in full sun and well-drained soil, and their tall, sturdy stems make fantastic borders.
Lavender
Lavender is a fantastic perennial loved for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green leaves. Thanks to its nectar-rich flowers, lavender is great for attracting honeybees and solitary bees. Lavenders bloom all summer and come in a range of colors, like bluish lavender, deep indigo, and light purple. Besides adding beauty and a soothing scent to your garden, lavender also benefits bees.
Wild Lilac
Wild Lilac, with its clusters of fragrant purple flowers, is a showstopper in spring gardens. The nectar-rich blooms of this hardy shrub add vibrant color and a heady aroma, which attracts bees and butterflies. Bees love lilacs, and lilacs benefit from the bees as they help with pollination. It’s a win-win situation for your garden’s ecosystem.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons can add a bright burst of color to any garden. With their tall spikes and dragon-like blooms, these sturdy flowers are popular with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and come in a variety of colors like red, pink, yellow, white, and bi-color. The nectar-rich blooms of snapdragons support pollinators, helping to keep your garden healthy.
Borage
Borage is a flower known for its constant nectar production. It provides bees with a steady food source throughout their blooming period. Its droopy, blueish-purple flowers are not only beautiful but also edible. This plant spreads out without being too aggressive and blooms almost year-round. With its star-shaped blue flowers and hairy leaves, borage—often called “bee’s bread”—is a favorite among pollinators.
Catmint
Catmint is a fantastic bee-friendly flower that’s super easy to grow and looks amazing in any garden. Its small purple or blue flowers packed with nectar bloom from late spring to early summer, giving bees plenty of food during the warmer months. This plant is easy to care for as it thrives in bright sun and well-drained soil.
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflowers are a magnet for bees. With their daisy-like flowers and pollen-packed centers, coneflowers bloom from late summer to early fall. The coneflower’s shape makes it easy for bees to land and forage, and it provides them with a plentiful supply of pollen and nectar. Purple Coneflowers also have potent medicinal uses, making them a multi-purpose must-have in your garden.
Calendula
Calendula’s bright orange and yellow blooms bring a cheerful touch to gardens. The rich nectar and pollen content make calendula flowers a favorite among bees, as they provide them with essential food in the garden. This versatile plant is also known for its medicinal and culinary uses. Calendula thrives in bright sun to partial shade and can grow well in cooler temperatures, extending its blooming season.
Bluebells
Bluebells are a fantastic choice of flowers for attracting bees to your garden. These vibrant flowers bloom in early spring and often cover entire fields, becoming a haven for pollinators. Bees, along with hoverflies and butterflies, are drawn to bluebells for their vibrant color, shape that offers shelter, and abundant, tasty nectar.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are not just pretty, delicate flowers that add a burst of color to salads; they’re also bee-friendly. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, these sprawling plants are easy to grow in flower beds or pots. The bright red, yellow, or orange flowers attract bees with their beauty and nectar.
Snowdrop
Snowdrops are gorgeous early spring flowers that bees love. These delicate yet tough blooms often break through the last bit of snow with their elegant white petals. Snowdrops offer nectar and pollen when bees need it most, helping them get the energy they need after hibernation. The drooping bell-shaped flowers, with their green-tipped petals, stand out against the winter landscape, attracting hungry pollinators.
Dahlia
These glamorous blooms come in full glory in mid-to-late summer and dazzle until the first frost. Bees particularly love dahlias with open centers, as they offer easy access to pollen and nectar. Varieties like single-flowered, anemone-flowering, and collarette dahlias are perfect for attracting our buzzing friends. The ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ dahlia stands out with its stunning red flowers and dark foliage.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a vital late-season flower for bees. Unlike many plants that stop blooming as the weather cools, goldenrod continues to bloom into early autumn and is an essential food source for bees preparing for winter. Bees love goldenrod for its late blooms, ensuring they have access to nectar when other flowers have finished blooming.