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It's that time of the year when you're prepping, planning, and eventually planting your flower beds. It's likely you'll spend much of this time focused on what flowers want to have in your garden, the easiest flowers to grow, and the color palette of the best annuals that will compliment your home’s exterior house paint color. Another important topic to consider is how to create a space that attracts bees and other garden-friendly pollinators. After all, not only are they crucial to the health of the planet and survival of mankind, but bees pollinate plants, including fruit trees, vegetables, and other ornamental plants. In fact, it’s estimated that honeybees pollinate 75 to 85 percent of all food crops. (There’s a term “busy bee” for a reason!)
Overall, it’s in our best interest to create bee haven and destinations around our homes with plenty of flowering plants and healthy nectar for them to eat. Bees are particularly attracted to bee balm, echinacea, snapdragon, and hostas, as well as a number of other wildflowers like California poppies and evening primrose. Fun fact: Did you know that bees have excellent color vision? For this reason, they flock to yellow, purple, blue, and white flowers. It’s best to avoid eucalyptus, ferns, and lemongrass, and skip toxic pesticides and herbicides that can be harmful to bees. Instead, choose bee-friendly organic fertilizers for your garden spaces.
Check out this list of 22 flowers that attract bees for a pretty, healthy, and bee-friendly garden.
Take a look at a few more helpful links to get your garden tools, potted plants, garden beds, and vegetable options organized for the next gardening season!
• Editors' Picks: Our Backyard and Garden Must-Haves• 20 Favorite Container Plants and Ideas for Your Potted Garden Oasis
• 15 Best Raised Garden Beds of 2023 for Any Outdoor Space• 11 Things Beginners Should Know Before Starting a Vegetable Garden
1
Goldenrod
Often confused with the allergy-inducing ragweed, goldenrod is actually believed to have many health benefits, including pain and inflammation reduction. Bees flock to its golden blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 8
Sun Exposure: average to full sun
Soil: dry to moist, well-drained
2
Bee Balm
The fragrant foliage of bee balm (also know as wild bergamot) will attract pollinators to your garden. Plant in a sunny spot for spring and summer blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Soil: moist, well-drained
3
Black Eyed Susan
Related to sunflowers, this yellow flowering plant in a native wildflower. Sun-loving and drought tolerant, these flowers bloom starting in the summer and into the fall months.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: medium moisture, well-drained
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4
Borage
You can snack on borage alongside the bees. The flowers, leaves, and stems are all edible with a faint cucumber taste.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10
Sun Exposure: light shade, full sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained
5
California Poppies
Bees love the cup-shaped flowers of this native wildflower. Look for their orange, yellow, pink, or white blooms in the spring months.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: sandy or low fertility, well-drained
6
Chive Flowers
Violet pom-pom-shaped flowers pop up in chive patches in the early spring months. Plant chives in a pot versus directly in the ground, as they are fast growers and can easily overtake a garden.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: fertile and moist, well-drained
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7
Lupine
The tall, spiky flowers of lupine start blooming in late spring. Plant in a sunny spot—while lupine can tolerate some shade, it won't bloom as well. Make sure you've got well-draining soil and water regularly.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Soil: acidic, well-drained
8
Liatris
Bees will swarm to the bottle-brush shaped flowers of a liatris plant. Plant in the spring and wait for those summer blooms to appear.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: sandy and dry/medium moisture, well-drained
9
Marigold
While marigolds are beneficial to plant around food-producing plants to ward off any number of pests, honey bees will flock to their bright orange, red, and yellow blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: evenly moist, well-drained
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10
Mint
A delightful garden herb, the lavender flowers of a mint plant will appear sometime between June and September. Like chives, mint should be planted in a pot, as it's a quick spreader and will choke out nearby plants.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 11
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Soil: moist, well-drained
11
Nasturtium
All parts of this easy-to-grow annual are edible. Toss the lily pad-like leaves and brightly hued flowers in salads or use to garnish grilled fish.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Sun Exposure: full sun (6+ hours a day)
Soil: slightly acidic, moist, well-drained
12
Pansy
Pansies love cool weather, so plant them in the early spring and fall. They are great as a pot or border plant, and with proper care, can flower almost all year long, although bees may only visit in the warmer months.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Soil: evenly moist, well-drained
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13
Peony
A late spring bloomer, a peony's large fluffy flowers come in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes. Plant bare-root specimens in a sunny spot in the fall for spring blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Sun Exposure: full sun (6-8+ hours a day)
Soil: slightly moist, well-drained
14
Lantana
These easy to grow flowers thrive in spaces with plenty of sunlight. Colorful lantana blossoms all through summer and attract bees and even hummingbirds. They also work well in landscape beds and box containers.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 12
Sun Exposure: full sun (6+ hours a day)
Soil: slightly acidic, well-drained
15
Snowdrops
An early spring bloomer, these flowers serve as a fresh nectar source for bees. Often appearing when there is still snow on the ground, these bulbs are low maintenance.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 12
Sun Exposure: full sun (6+ hours a day)
Soil: slightly acidic, well-drained
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16
Phlox
There are many varieties of phlox, which can range from low-growing ground cover to tall breeds that can add height to the backs of your flower beds. Bees will flock to the highly fragrant flowers.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Sun Exposure: partial sun, full sun
Soil: evenly moist, well-drained
17
Sunflower
Plant sunflower seeds in the spring for spectacular blooms in late summer months. Plant tall varieties in the back of a garden or intersperse shorter bloomers throughout your garden bed.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Sun Exposure: full sun (6 to 8 hours of full sun)
Soil: lightly acidic to alkaline soil soil, well-drained
18
Flowering Thyme
A perfect addition to an herb garden, thyme will flower in the middle of the spring to mid-summer. Not only will bees buzz around these fragrant blossoms, you can pick and use them in salads, as a garnish, or sprinkled on avocado toast.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Sun Exposure: full sun (6 hours of full sun)
Soil: neutral to alkaline soil soil, well-drained
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19
Zinnia
Heavy bloomers, zinnias are easy to start from seed after the last frost. While these full-sun lovers are annuals, they effortlessly reseed from year to year.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Sun Exposure: partial shade, full sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained
20
Lavender
Bees will make a, well, beeline to this beauty with silvery leaves and pretty purple flowers. It's a great choice for garden borders. Added bonus: The fragrant flowers can be dried and used in aromatic sachets or cooked into shortbread cookies.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained
Charlyne Mattox
Food and Crafts Director
Charlyne Mattox is Food and Crafts Director for Country Living.
As an avid horticulturist and gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I can attest to the importance of creating a garden that not only beautifies your surroundings but also supports the delicate ecosystem of pollinators, especially bees. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have cultivated various gardens that thrive with diverse flowering plants, ensuring a haven for bees and other essential pollinators.
Now, delving into the concepts mentioned in the article, let's break down the key elements:
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Importance of Bees: The article rightly emphasizes the significance of bees in pollinating plants, including food crops. It mentions that honeybees alone contribute to the pollination of 75 to 85 percent of all food crops. This underscores the critical role bees play in sustaining both the environment and human survival.
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Color Preferences of Bees: A fascinating aspect highlighted is that bees have excellent color vision, explaining their attraction to specific flower colors. Yellow, purple, blue, and white flowers are mentioned as colors that particularly draw bees. This knowledge is essential when selecting flowers to plant, ensuring they are not just visually appealing to humans but also attractive to bees.
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Bee-Friendly Plants: The article provides a list of 22 flowers that attract bees. Each flower is accompanied by details such as USDA Hardiness Zones, Sun Exposure, and Soil requirements, crucial information for gardeners to ensure successful cultivation. Some noteworthy plants include Bee Balm, Black Eyed Susan, California Poppies, and Lavender, all known for their bee-attracting qualities.
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Planting Tips: Practical advice is interspersed throughout the article, such as planting certain herbs like mint and chives in pots to prevent them from overtaking a garden. This demonstrates a practical understanding of gardening challenges and solutions for maintaining a balanced and thriving garden.
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Caution Against Harmful Practices: The article wisely advises against using toxic pesticides and herbicides, recognizing the potential harm they pose to bees. Instead, it encourages the use of bee-friendly organic fertilizers, aligning with sustainable and environmentally conscious gardening practices.
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Editor's Picks and Additional Resources: The inclusion of links to recommended garden tools, potted plants, garden beds, and vegetable options adds a layer of practicality. It guides readers on where to find the necessary tools and resources for successful gardening.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for creating a bee-friendly garden, incorporating a mix of expert advice, practical tips, and valuable information on specific flowers that attract bees. This aligns with my own experiences in creating flourishing gardens that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the well-being of our vital pollinators.
