Bees play a key role in our gardens and ecosystems. They help pollinate plants and keep our food supply going strong. By planting flowers that bees love, you can make your garden a happy home for these busy insects.
Adding bee-friendly flowers to your yard can boost local bee populations and make your garden more beautiful. These flowers come in many colors, sizes, and shapes. Some bloom in spring, while others last through fall. With the right mix, you can have a garden that buzzes with life all season long.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Lavender
Lavender is a bee magnet that will add beauty and fragrance to your garden. Here’s what you need to know:
- Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia
- Growing Zones: 5-9
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy soil
- Water Needs: Low, drought-tolerant once established
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
You’ll love the purple blooms and sweet scent of lavender in your yard. Bees can’t resist its nectar-rich flowers. This easy-care plant thrives in sunny spots with good drainage.
Lavender is perfect for dry areas. It doesn’t need much water once it’s settled in. You can plant it in beds or containers. It also works well as a low hedge.
The flowers bloom in summer, attracting bees all season long. Cutting some stems for drying won’t hurt – there will be plenty left for the bees. Your lavender will come back year after year, getting bigger and more beautiful with time.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a favorite among bees and gardeners alike. These cheerful blooms bring a burst of color to your garden while providing a rich food source for pollinators.
- Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 3-10 feet tall
You can choose from many sunflower varieties to suit your garden. Some grow tall and majestic, while others stay compact for smaller spaces.
Bees love sunflowers for their abundant pollen and nectar. The large flower heads give bees plenty of room to land and gather food.
Plant sunflowers in a sunny spot in your garden. They’re easy to grow from seed and bloom quickly, often within 8-10 weeks.
For a long-lasting bee buffet, try planting different sunflower varieties. This way, you’ll have blooms at various heights and times throughout the summer and fall.
Remember to leave some seed heads on the plants after they’ve finished blooming. Bees and other wildlife will appreciate this food source as winter approaches.
3. Coneflower
Coneflowers are a bee magnet for your garden. These colorful, daisy-like blooms are easy to grow and perfect for attracting pollinators.
- Botanical Name: Echinacea
- Growing Zones: 3-9
- Soil Needs: Well-draining
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall
You’ll love how coneflowers add a splash of color to your garden. Their large, showy petals come in shades of purple, pink, white, and even yellow. The cone-shaped centers are where bees like to hang out and collect pollen.
These tough plants can handle heat and drought once established. Plant them in a sunny spot with good drainage. They’ll bloom from summer into fall, giving bees a long-lasting food source.
Coneflowers are also low-maintenance. You don’t need to fuss over them much. Just give them some water during dry spells and they’ll thrive. They look great in borders or wildflower gardens.
Remember to leave some spent blooms on the plants. Birds will thank you for the seeds in winter. Plus, you’ll get some natural reseeding for more flowers next year.
4. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a vibrant flower that bees can’t resist. Its unique, spiky blooms come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white.
Here’s what you need to know about growing bee balm:
- Botanical Name: Monarda
- Growing Zones: 3-9
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining
- Water Needs: Medium
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall
You’ll love how bee balm attracts not just bees, but butterflies and hummingbirds too. This native North American plant is easy to grow and spreads quickly.
Bee balm likes moist soil, so water it regularly. It can handle some shade, but more sun means more flowers.
The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall. After they’re done, you can cut the stems back to keep your garden tidy.
Be sure to give bee balm enough space. It grows in clumps and can get quite bushy. With proper care, you’ll have a beautiful, buzzing garden in no time!
5. Borage
Borage is a beautiful blue flower that bees love. Its star-shaped blooms attract pollinators all summer long.
- Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
You can easily grow borage in your garden. It self-seeds readily, so you’ll likely have new plants each year. The fuzzy leaves and stems add texture to your garden beds.
Borage flowers are edible and make a pretty addition to salads or as a garnish. They have a mild cucumber-like flavor. The leaves are also edible but have a slightly bitter taste.
This plant is not just for bees. Butterflies and other pollinators enjoy borage too. It’s a great choice for wildlife gardens.
Borage is easy to care for. It doesn’t need much attention once established. Just make sure it has enough water during dry spells.
You can start borage from seed directly in your garden after the last frost. It grows quickly and will bloom in about 8 weeks.
6. Thyme
Thyme is a bee’s best friend in your garden. This fragrant herb attracts bees with its tiny, nectar-rich flowers.
- Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
- Growing Zones: 5-9
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, sandy
- Water Needs: Low
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
You can plant thyme in your herb garden or use it as ground cover. Its low-growing habit makes it perfect for rock gardens too.
Thyme blooms from late spring to early summer. The small purple, pink, or white flowers are irresistible to bees.
This herb is easy to grow and care for. It likes dry conditions and doesn’t need much water. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
You can also grow thyme in containers. It’s a great choice for small spaces or balcony gardens.
Besides attracting bees, thyme is useful in cooking. You can use its leaves to add flavor to many dishes.
7. Marigolds
Marigolds are cheerful, sun-loving flowers that can brighten up your garden. These colorful blooms come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. While they may not be a bee’s top choice, some marigold varieties can still attract these helpful pollinators to your yard.
- Botanical Name: Tagetes
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall
You’ll find that marigolds are easy to grow and care for. They’re great for adding pops of color to your garden beds or containers. Some types of marigolds are more appealing to bees than others. Look for single-flowered varieties, as these offer easier access to nectar and pollen.
Marigolds have other benefits too. They can help improve soil health and keep some garden pests away. By planting marigolds along with other bee-friendly flowers, you’ll create a diverse and welcoming space for pollinators.
Remember to avoid using pesticides on your marigolds. This will keep the bees safe and healthy as they visit your garden. With proper care, your marigolds will bloom all summer long, adding beauty and potentially attracting bees to your outdoor space.
8. Catmint
Catmint is a bee magnet that will add beauty to your garden. This easy-to-grow perennial provides long-lasting blooms that bees love.
- Botanical Name: Nepeta
- Growing Zones: 3-8
- Soil Needs: Well-draining
- Water Needs: Low to moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to part shade
- Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
You’ll love how catmint’s soft gray-green foliage creates a lovely backdrop for its lavender-blue flowers. The plants bloom from late spring through fall, giving bees a steady food source.
Catmint is tough and adaptable. It can handle poor soil and drought once established. Plant it in borders, rock gardens, or containers for a pop of color.
Bees aren’t the only fans of catmint. Butterflies enjoy its nectar too. As a bonus, deer tend to leave it alone.
To keep your catmint looking its best, trim it back after the first flush of blooms. This will encourage a second round of flowers later in the season.
9. Single Dahlia
Single dahlias are a great choice for your bee-friendly garden. These beautiful flowers have open centers that make it easy for bees to access nectar and pollen.
- Botanical Name: Dahlia
- Growing Zones: 8-11
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, rich soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 40-50 inches tall
Single dahlias come in many bright colors like pink, orange, yellow, white, and red. Some have cool patterns with bands or flares. Bees love these eye-catching blooms!
You can plant single dahlia tubers in late spring when the soil warms up. They’ll start flowering in July and keep going until the first frost. This gives bees a nice food source in late summer and fall.
These flowers are tall, growing up to 4 feet high. They look great in the back of flower beds or along fences. Plant them 24 inches apart to give them room to grow.
Single dahlias are easy to care for. Just make sure they get plenty of sun and water. With a little attention, you’ll have a stunning display that both you and the bees will enjoy!
10. Zinnias
Zinnias are bright, cheerful flowers that bees absolutely love. These easy-to-grow annuals come in a rainbow of colors, making them perfect for any garden.
- Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 6 inches to 4 feet tall
You’ll find zinnias blooming from summer to fall. Their flat, open flowers make it easy for bees to land and collect nectar and pollen.
Planting zinnias in groups will attract more bees to your garden. These flowers also bring in butterflies and hummingbirds, adding even more life to your outdoor space.
Zinnias are tough plants that can handle hot weather. They’re great for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. You can start them from seeds or buy young plants from a nursery.
To keep your zinnias blooming, cut off dead flowers regularly. This will encourage the plant to produce more blossoms, giving bees a steady food source throughout the season.