23 Flowers That Attract Bees and Other Pollinators

The importance of pollinators in the natural world cannot be overstated.

From bees to birds, bats, and butterflies, pollinators carry pollen from one plant to another. This is essential for the production of fruits and seeds.

To attract these essential pollinators, gardeners can select flowers known to be attractive to them.

In this article, we will explore some of the best flowers to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden.

1. Bee Balm

Bee balm is a must-have in any garden looking to attract a healthy bee population. It is one of the best plants for bees. It may also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Bee balm can be grown from seeds or from cuttings taken from mature plants. However, be sure to plant it in a nice, sunny spot in the garden so it can grow at its best.

Purchase bee balm seeds online.

2. Black-Eyed Susan

This beautiful flower is a popular plant that attracts a wide variety of pollinators. Black-eyed Susan flowers will prosper in full sun and soil that drains well.

This flowering plant will give you colors that attract butterflies, fireflies, and other pollinators. Moreover, you can grow it from seeds or cuttings.

Buy Black-eyed Susan seeds online.

3. Sedum (Stonecrop)

These low-maintenance succulents thrive with minimal care from you. Sedum, also known as stonecrop, blooms from early summer to late fall, attracting bees throughout this period.

One of the many advantages of sedum is that there are numerous varieties [1]. Additionally, these plants thrive in practically any well-drained soil in a sunny spot.

Utilize these flowers as eye-catching ground covers around trees or as a nice border in your garden.

4. Goldenrod

This perennial wildflower is one of the best for bees and butterflies. It draws many pollinators with its abundant pollen and nectar.

Goldenrod is not the most common plant. However, if you incorporate it into your landscaping, you can enjoy beautiful flowers from late summer to early fall.

Moreover, it attracts bats.

5. Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush attracts not just butterflies and bees, but also hummingbirds and moths.

You will find it in colors such as blue, purple, orange, or white. The purple flowers will also attract wasps.

Depending on your climate, a butterfly bush may grow as a bush or as a tree. However, this purple bush prefers the sun but can also survive in partial shade.

It will require some maintenance on your part, but it will be well worth the effort. Furthermore, you can grow this plant from seeds, division, or stem cuttings.

6. Coneflower

Coneflower may also attract pollinators throughout its entire flowering season. These flowers grow tall and can thrive in a variety of soil types.

Purchase coneflower seeds online.

7. Joe-Pye Weed

Not a weed, Joe-Pye Weed puts forth flowers that attract honeybees. They will also make a stunning addition to your garden, flowerbed, walkway, or wherever you plant them.

The plant comes in different varieties. Although these flowers can survive in partial shade, they mostly prefer a sunny spot in your yard.

8. Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant and colorful plant for pollinators. It is highly successful at attracting bumblebees, honeybees, and other beneficial insects.

The herb blooms from late spring to late summer and can be grown year-round in a hot, dry climate.

Lavender can also tolerate low to moderately fertile soils. You can plant it in containers or in the ground, and it will thrive either way.

Purchase lavender seeds online.

9. Snowdrops

If you’re looking for flowers that bloom as soon as the pollinators arrive, snowdrops are excellent.

These flowers start blooming in late winter, sometimes even before the snow has melted (hence the name). However, these bee-friendly garden plants prefer partial shade and well-drained soil.

10. Crocus

Crocus flowers bloom from late winter to early spring, depending on the variety.

You can also find them in different colors, including lavender, blue, purple, yellow, white, and even pink. Besides, they make quite a statement in your yard.

After planting the bulbs and providing them with plenty of water, you will not need to do much to have these beautiful flowers thrive.

11. Sunflowers

Do sunflowers attract bees? Yes. Not only are they beautiful and fascinating to look at, but they are also flowers that bees love.

Look for sunflower seeds that are suitable for your climate zone. They grow well in tropical and subtropical climates.

12. Cranesbills

Cranesbills (hardy geraniums) have a long flowering season, taking a break only in winter. However, these plants will need light shade or full morning sun.

They will also bloom in beautiful shades of pink, purple, blue, or white.

Water them regularly to keep them healthy and appealing to pollinators. Just be careful not to overwater. Additionally, prune the plants as needed.

13. Catmint

Image credit: Nepeta clarkei by Uleli, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY‑SA 3.0. Image cropped from original.

Catmint is excellent for attracting bumblebees, honeybees, carder bees, and mason bees [2].

Established catmint plantings are also drought-tolerant and can have a prolonged blooming season. Additionally, the plant blooms in a variety of beautiful shades, including violet, lilac, blue, pink, and white.

Purchase catmint seeds online.

14. Foxglove

Foxgloves are very successful at attracting bumblebees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

These wildflowers prefer cool, moist climates. They can be grown from seed and prefer well-fertilized soil, in the sun or in shade.

Buy foxglove seeds online.

15. Borage

Borage is a pretty flower that requires little care. It’s also great for attracting pollinators. Additionally, it is drought-tolerant and thrives in both cool and warm climates.

Not only are the blue-colored, star-shaped flowers a nice addition to your garden, but the leaves and flowers of this herb are also edible.

Purchase borage seeds online.

16. Pansies

If you plant pansies, you may enjoy their beauty from spring through fall.

They grow from seeds and are available in a wide variety of colors. Pollinators love pansies and will thank you for planting them.

Pansies require full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily) and a relatively mild climate. However, they will maintain themselves quite easily once established.

Purchase pansy seeds online.

17. Peony

For a lovely spring-through-summer flower that grows in most climates, plant peonies.

They prefer full sun and, once established, emit a lovely fragrance that attracts both bees and hummingbirds.

Buy peony seeds online.

18. Phlox

All varieties of phlox attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. As such, they make a beautiful and excellent addition to any garden seeking to attract more pollinators.

Besides, night-blooming phlox attracts bats and moths.

Purchase phlox seeds online.

19. Nasturtium

With edible flowers, leaves, and vibrant colors, nasturtiums make a great addition to your home garden for you and pollinators.

They do well in poorer soils, so save the least ideal soil for them; they’ll be just fine as long as they get regular water.

These bee-friendly plants grow from seed in most climates and bloom from summer through late fall. However, they require full sun to thrive properly.

Purchase nasturtium seeds online.

20. Chives

Easy to grow in pots, chive flowers provide nectar for leafcutter bees, honey bees, bumblebees, and mason bees. Moreover, they are fast-growing and have pretty purple flowers that are edible.

Order the chive seeds online.

21. Marigolds

Marigolds are a source of food for honey bees and other pollinating insects. Moreover, marigolds help control harmful bugs and attract beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and ladybugs.

Buy marigold seeds online.

22. Rosemary

Great for nectar-feeding flies and butterflies, rosemary also attracts bees and other pollinators. Moreover, it blooms throughout the spring and summer, and sometimes even in winter.

Purchase rosemary seeds online.

23. Common Yarrow

A brilliant addition to your pollinator garden, the common yarrow attracts all kinds of pollinators, no matter where you plant it.

Additionally, the plant is used worldwide to treat various ailments [3].

Purchase common yarrow online.

Takeaway

Adding bushes, shrubs, or flowers that bees and pollinators love to or around your garden will help attract them almost year-round.

Explore the list above. Plant some of these plants in your yard and garden, and both you and the bees will be happier.