Around 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of global food crop production relies on insect pollinators like bees to some extent.1 Bees in particular are the most important pollinators for many of our fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
As bee populations continue to decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, it’s more important than ever to support these hardworking pollinators.
One simple way to help is by planting a variety of native, bee-friendly flowers that provide nectar and pollen from spring through fall
1. Bee Balm: A Feast for Bees’ Senses
Bee balm’s showy flower clusters and aromatic foliage are irresistible to a wide range of pollinators. This perennial blooms from midsummer to early fall in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Grow bee balm in full sun to part shade and keep the soil moist for best results.
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2. Borage: A Versatile Pollinator Favorite
Not only do bees adore borage’s starry blue flowers, but you can enjoy snacking on this edible plant, too! The flowers, leaves and stems all have a refreshing cucumber flavor. Borage thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.
3. Coneflowers: Landing Pads for Hungry Bees
Coneflowers’ prominent central cones provide the perfect resting and feeding spot for bees. These long-blooming perennials come in purple, white, yellow, orange, and pink. Plant coneflowers in a sunny spot and enjoy the pollinator action from midsummer to fall.
4. Sunflowers: Pollen-Packed Bee Healers
Sunflowers are prolific nectar and pollen producers that even have medicinal properties for bees. Both wild bees and honeybees will self-medicate on sunflower pollen when feeling under the weather. Choose open-pollinated varieties over hybrids for maximum bee benefits.
5. Catmint: A Pollinator Powerhouse
Bees can’t get enough of catmint’s profuse blue flowers that bloom all summer atop fragrant silvery foliage. This drought-tolerant, sun-loving perennial will keep pollinators well-fed for months with minimal maintenance on your part – just give it a midseason haircut.
6. Goldenrod: Late-Season Bee Sustenance
Goldenrod’s feathery yellow plumes are a vital late-season food source for honeybees, bumblebees, and many other beneficial insects. This tough native plant provides forage into the fall as bees prepare for winter hibernation. Goldenrod thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soil.
7. Zinnias: Colorful Annual Bee Magnets
Zinnias are one of the easiest annual flowers to grow from seed, rewarding you with abundant blooms that call in the pollinators. Opt for bright, vivid zinnia colors like pink, orange, and red to attract the most bees and butterflies to your garden.
8. Sedum: Drought-Tolerant Bee Delight
Sedums are succulents that bees and other pollinators flock to, especially in the late summer and fall. Plant both early and late-blooming varieties for a seamless supply of nectar. These tough, sun-loving plants are also very drought tolerant once established.
9. Salvia: Pretty Spikes Pollinators Love
Whether you grow annual or perennial salvias, bees will eagerly buzz around their showy flower spikes. Salvia’s blooms come in violet, pink, and white atop fragrant foliage. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil.
10. Anise Hyssop: Tubular Flowers Bees Can’t Resist
Anise hyssop’s spikes of tubular purple flowers are perfectly shaped for bees to collect nectar and pollen. This easy-to-grow member of the mint family blooms prolifically and will spread gradually in your garden. Give anise hyssop full sun for best flowering.
11. Poppies: Pollen-Rich Bee Buffet
Bees visit poppies to feast on the abundant pollen produced by their large, papery blooms. Both annual and perennial poppies come in a rainbow of colors and make striking additions to the garden. Poppies thrive in full sun and well-draining soil.
12. Asters: Autumn Stars for Pollinators
Asters are among the best late-season bloomers for feeding bees. Their starry flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink and white provide vital fall nectar. Many asters are native wildflowers that support bees and other pollinators. Plant asters in full sun for a glorious autumn display.
Source:
- https://ourworldindata.org/pollinator-dependence
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.