Plants That Bees Like: A Guide to Attracting Pollinators

Do you want to create a vibrant and buzzing garden that welcomes bees? You may be wondering which types of flowers, herbs, and shrubs are most attractive to these busy pollinators. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top plants that bees love and share tips for creating a bee-friendly garden.

Why Are Bees Important?

Before we dive into the best plants for bees, let’s take a moment to understand why they’re so important. Bees play a critical role in pollinating crops and plants, which helps produce the food we eat. Without bees, many fruits, vegetables, and nuts would disappear from our diets. In fact, one-third of all food produced in the world depends on pollinators such as bees.

The Top Plants That Bees Love:

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is a popular herb known for its fragrant purple flowers and calming properties. But did you know that bees adore lavender too? This plant produces nectar and pollen that attracts both honeybees and bumblebees. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for gardens in hot climates.

Tips:

- Plant lavender in groups to create a larger target for bees to find.
- Trim back spent blooms to encourage new growth and more flowers.
- Bees are attracted to the color blue, so consider planting blue varieties of lavender.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are a cheerful addition to any garden with their bright yellow petals and tall stalks. They’re also a favorite of bees, who love the abundant nectar and pollen produced by these plants. Sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet tall in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an excellent focal point for large gardens.

Tips:

- Choose varieties with single flowers instead of double or triple blooms, which can make it harder for bees to access the nectar.
- Plant sunflowers in a sunny spot that’s protected from strong winds.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers to grow throughout the season.

Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

As the name suggests, bee balm is a magnet for bees and other pollinators. This herb produces showy flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple, which bloom in midsummer. Bee balm prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it a great choice for woodland gardens or along streams and ponds.

Tips:

- Choose native varieties of bee balm, which are better adapted to your local climate and soil conditions.
- Prune back stems after flowering to encourage bushier growth and more flowers next year.
- Bees love the fragrance of bee balm, so plant it near seating areas where you can enjoy the scent too.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflowers are a classic garden flower that produce bold, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. But they’re not just pretty to look at – coneflowers also produce plenty of nectar and pollen that attract bees and butterflies. These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them a great choice for hot, dry areas.

Tips:

- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers to grow throughout the season.
- Choose cultivars with double blooms sparingly, as they may produce less nectar than single-flowered varieties.
- Coneflowers are drought-tolerant, but they still appreciate regular watering during dry spells.

Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia is a diverse family of plants that includes both annuals and perennials. They’re known for their spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and red. Bees love salvia for its abundant nectar and pollen, which attract honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees. Salvia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great choice for sunny borders or rock gardens.

Tips:

- Choose varieties that bloom at different times throughout the season to provide a steady supply of food for bees.
- Prune back stems after flowering to encourage bushier growth and more flowers next year.
- Salvia can be prone to fungal diseases, so avoid overhead watering and plant in well-drained soil.

Other Plants That Bees Love:

Crocus (Crocus spp.)

Crocuses are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, providing an early source of nectar and pollen for bees. These small bulbs produce delicate flowers in shades of purple, yellow, and white. Crocuses do well in full sun or partial shade and prefer well-drained soil.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan is a hardy perennial that produces daisy-like flowers with dark centers and yellow petals. Bees love the abundant nectar and pollen produced by this plant, which blooms from midsummer to fall. Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod is a tall perennial with clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. This plant produces plenty of nectar and pollen, which attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Goldenrod prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower is a close relative of the classic pink variety, producing bold, purple-pink flowers with distinctive raised centers. Bees and butterflies love the nectar and pollen produced by these plants, which bloom from midsummer to fall. Purple coneflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

By planting a mix of the top plants that bees love, you can create a vibrant and buzzing garden that’s both beautiful and functional. These plants provide an important source of food for bees and other pollinators, helping to support healthy ecosystems and agriculture. So go ahead and get planting – your garden (and the bees) will thank you!

FAQs:

Q: How can I attract more bees to my garden?

A: To attract more bees to your garden, choose a variety of plants that bloom throughout the season and provide a mix of colors and shapes. Be sure to include some native plants, which are better adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. You can also provide nesting sites for solitary bees by leaving patches of bare ground or installing bee houses.

Q: Are there any plants that repel bees?

A: While there are some plants that repel certain types of insects, there are no plants that repel bees. In fact, many plants that are considered “bee-friendly” are also popular with other pollinators like butterflies and moths.

Q: How can I help prevent bee decline?

A: You can help prevent bee decline by reducing pesticide use, planting a diverse mix of native plants, providing nesting sites for solitary bees, and supporting local beekeepers. You can also get involved in citizen science projects that monitor bee populations and contribute to research on bee health.

Q: What should I do if I find a swarm of bees in my garden?

A: If you find a swarm of bees in your garden, it’s best to call a local beekeeper or bee removal service to safely relocate the bees. Do not attempt to remove the bees yourself, as this can be dangerous for both you and the bees.

Q: Can I still plant flowers for bees if I have allergies?

A: Yes! Many people who have allergies can still enjoy gardening and planting flowers for bees. Be sure to choose varieties that are low-pollen or pollen-free, such as double-flowered varieties or hybrids bred for their reduced pollen. You can also wear a mask while working in the garden to reduce your exposure to pollen.