20 Flowers That Attract Bees to Your Garden

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Withrecent declines in both native and non - native bee populationscaused by settlement crash upset , climate change , and pesticide , it ’s more authoritative than ever to plant flowers that will seduce and nurture thoseessential pollinator . Home gardener can assist preserve bees ’ wellness , and ameliorate the likelihood that blossoms on fruit trees and vegetables will be pollinated .

bloom that appeal bees tend to have lily-white , yellow , blue , or violet hues , since those insects have difficulty picture red . Although bee - well-disposed plants are n’t necessarily aboriginal types , natives typically provide more nectar and pollen than hybrids do .

flowers that attract bees - bee on blue hyacinth bloom

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

If you already havelavenderin your curtilage , then you might have acknowledge that when it ’s in bloom , it attracts bee like a magnet . That ’s because the fragrant plant has both pollen and nectar to feed the bee . It typically blooms during a midsummer opening when bees are ordinarily the hungriest but have few pickings .

Most varieties of the perennial herbaceous plant acquire in USDA Zones 5 through 8 and reach maturity date in 3 geezerhood , swash vivacious blooming stalks for bee and butterfly . After the first year , lavender is drouth - tolerant .

2. Annual Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are garden showstoppers among flowers that attract bees . With their impressive height and promising flush , it ’s well-off to see why gardener are draw to them . Bees are draw to the smorgasbord of pollen and nectar found in the blossom ’ great centers . As an yearly , sunflower require annual seeding , though birds and wind often do the line for you .

Thesunflowercomes in peck of sizes and colour , and can grow in most any soil as long as it has full sun . Sow seeds after danger of frost and water regularly until established , after which they can take some drouth .

3. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

This greenish - gray plant live up to its name , with leave that are as soft and fuzzy as a lamb ’s spike . The unfearing plant can tolerate a multitude of soil and sun condition , and it sends up spikes of imperial flowers in later springiness and early summertime that appeal bees ( and hummer ) like crazy . Grow the herbaceous perennial in zones 4 through 8 and give it full sun . The abject - maintenancelamb ’s earcan get by with nearly ironic conditions after established , and cervid and coney result the stems alone for the bees to bask .

4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

aboriginal to North America , black - eyed Susan ( also know as Rudbeckia ) is a pollyannaish addition to any garden , and a honeybee favourite . Bees are appeal to the bright yellow , browned - centered flowers . A hardy perennial , black - eyed Susangrows better in slightly acidic soil and full Dominicus or unaccented refinement . Although it call for average water the first class or so , the plant can live on period of drouth in USDA Zones 3 through 11 . Just deadhead for more flowers and bee nectar and cut it a few column inch above the reason after the first frost .

5. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

Butterfly bush , as its name imply , attract butterfly because its tumid , bright flowers are chock full of ambrosia . The efflorescence invoke to bee , too . Theselow - maintenance shrubsflower in late summer and early autumn , with fragrant bloom that make beautiful cut flowers . Plant them in average , well - draining soil in USDA Zones 5 to 9 .

Do n’t overwater yourbutterfly bushand simply crop in spring after new increment appears on the stems , cutting to just above new healthy leafage buds . Although the shrub has been report as invasive in some parts of the Northwest , it wo n’t take over in most climate , especially dry ones .

6. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Because they bloom too soon in the season , cive will put up some of the first ambrosia for bees come out of their winter quiescence . The recurrent powerhouse is well-heeled to farm in almost any region and mood . An added bonus ? The flavorful herbaceous plant isgreat for cooking . industrial plant rooted clumps in spring after frost in zones 3 to 9 , and divide them in leap after about 3 years . Waterchivesdeeply and place some mulch around the flora to help keep roots coolheaded and moist .

7. Coneflower (Echinacea)

The purple coneflower , also known as genus Echinacea , is one of the biggest draws for bees . Drawn towildflowersfor their color , bee forage on both the ambrosia and the pollen that the plants raise . The aboriginal recurrent blooms for a long geological period duringmid - summertime to fallin USDA Zones 3 to 9 . It stomach most soil type , but does best with plenty of organic matter add together to the soil . restrained water system is just for theconeflower , though it can take forgetful periods of drouth , and it take little to no fertilizer .

8. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia comes in both annual and perennial varieties , either of which will attract bees . The perenniallow - maintenance plant , commonly called hayfield sage , performs salutary in full sun in zones 4 to 9 and comes in several color , including deep majestic - blue . Salviatolerates gruelling soil , is drouth - tolerant , and will rebloom if bloom ear are remove after the first blush . S. officinalisis the perennial herb cousin used in cooking ; if left to bloom , it also entices bees .

9. Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)

Grape hyacinth is one of the most fragrant bloom in the former spring garden , so it ’s no admiration that bee come buzzing to these beautiful bulbs . Earning its name from its tight clusters of blue heyday that resemble grapes , this extremity of the lily family should n’t be befuddled withhyacinth , which is a completely different flower . Plantgrape hyacinthbulbs in fall for spring colour in USDA Zones 4 to 8 , choosing a pip with Dominicus or part wraith and dirt that drains well ( even sandy grunge ) .

10. Sedum (Sedum telephiumorHylotelephium telephium)

Sedum , also know as stonecrop , offer a late summertime and fall buffet to bee and butterfly alike . From the low and creeping dry land book binding Goldmoss , to the long - stalked Autumn Joy , there are more than 500 varieties from which to prefer . The hardy anddrought - liberal plantsare easy to grow in zones 3 through 10 , and well accessible for bee . Mostsedumsprefer well - draining soil and full sun or fond refinement in the good afternoon . sum a little compost , but do n’t trouble feed these well-fixed , hardy bee attraction .

11. Aster (Aster spp.)

Keep in idea that it is important to include in your gardenplants that flower in autumnas well as those that blossom in spring and summer . Astralastersshine at providing important late - season pollen and nectar when little else is blooming . They range in height from 8 inch to 5 feet with minute “ rays ” in specter of purple , pink , and white . Their hardiness varies , according to metal money , from USDA zones 2 to 10 .

12. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

industrial plant that draw in bee often have “ bee ” in their name . Forbee balm , choose lavender or white varieties rather than scarlet type . The cannular blooms on the plants ’ tousled flowerheads bee - crone long - tongued visitors such as Apis mellifera and bumblebee but probably will keep out short - tonguedtypes of beessuch as miner bee and sweat bee . The plant appreciate full Lord’s Day to partial shade and vary in sizing from 2 invertebrate foot to 4 feet , harmonize to species , and from USDA zones 4 to 10 for recurrent types .

13. Beeblossom (Gaura lindheimeri)

relate to the evening primrose , beeblossomgrows to 4 feet , raise 1 - column inch white or pink butterfly stroke - similar flowers from other summertime to autumn in USDA zones 5 to 9 . Its long blooming time of year makes it one of the best flowers for bee , who can expect to find flora whenever they return to gaura — until the weather condition turn frosty anyway . It like full sun and well - drain ground .

14. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)

slightly resembling brightly color miniature sunflowers , gaillardias , can bloom from early summer to ice in USDA Zones 5 to 10 , blanketing the originate time of year with a never - ending buffet for the bee . Although their bloom often come in reds and Orange River , they usually admit some yellow too , which should make it easy for the bee to see them despite the ruddy colors . The most common grandiflora hybrids typically turn from 10 to 30 inches grandiloquent and prefer full sun ; it is a drought - resistive flower for bee .

15. Cleome (Cleome spp.)

The fact that two nativecleomesboth go by the name of bee plant — Rocky Mountain Bee Plant ( C. serrulata ) and Yellow Bee Plant ( C. lutea)—indicates how much of a Cleopatra cleome is for those insects . So even the common garden annualCleome hasslerianashould be able to bee - dazzle them . Growing to 6 animal foot marvelous with spidery pink , white , or purple blooms all summertime , the plant can , according toWisconsin Extension , be “ spiny and sticky , ” and occasionally icky !

16. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Another among the one-year efflorescence for bee , cosmostypically bloom from midsummer until frost if sown in former summer , perhaps sooner if begin indoors . grow to 8 feet with showy 3- to 4 - column inch blooms in White , pinks , lavenders , and maroons and , more recently , yellows ( C. sulphureus ) , they can coax bees into yourvegetable garden . Keep in mind the pollen on individual blooms is usually easier for pollinators to approach than that on fancy dual blooms .

17. Crocus (Crocus spp.)

Among the effective spring flower for bees , snow crocus ( Crocus chrysanthus ) andDutch crocus(Crocus vernus ) come out in very early give in USDA zone 4 to 9 , and you may see bees just emerged from the beehive rolling around in their pollen in what looks like blissful bee - sotted delirium . Plant the bulbs in surrender about 6 weeks before the first hoar , in dirt that drains well ; avoid clay or moist soils . If potential , keep the low - growing plant in full sunshine , which they choose and where it will be easiest for the bees to see them .

18. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

When considering how toattract bee to your garden , do n’t forget wildflower . Although this one can be a pernicious weed in much of USDA zones 4 to 9 , bees are bee - guiled by it , as is establish by how many beekeepers sellgoldenrodhoney . In areas where the plant is a novelty rather than a pain , nurseryman may desire to try growing thickset cultivars such as Golden Fleece in full sun . These previous summertime / early fall flub give bees plenty of late - time of year pollen and make spectacularcuttings for arrangement .

19. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Although advantageously known for alimentation butterflies , milkweedalso can be highly attractive to bee who nosh enthusiastically on its nectar . The annual tropical character will flower all summer , but perennial varieties — hardy in USDA zones 2 or 3 to 9 and grow to 3 foundation — generally bloom only in early to mid - summer . Choose the type ( common , swampland , tropical , or whorled ) that should do well in your grunge and conditions , and plant or sow in it in full sunlight in spring or declension . grant to aUniversity of California blog , bees can become trapped in or stuck to milkweed bloom but that does n’t prevent their making a beeline to those blooming .

20. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

What pull in bee ? The scent of dear . Sweet alyssumonly arise to between 3 and 12 inch with clump of tiny white , pink , or purplish flowers , but the fragrance of those blooms bring the bees in like , well , “ bees to honey . ” Use it as a low - produce bedding flora near taller flowers for contrast . The brave annual also can bloom from the give horde season through later autumn ’s beehive - up - to - keep - warm season in full to partial sun . However , it may terminate flowering during the hottest part of the summer in some climates .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll avail you place up your first garden — whether that ’s a few mass on your terrace , a raised layer , or an in - ground secret plan out back — and pick out the right plants for your soil and region .

flowers that attract bees - large purple lavender blooms