Here’s The Buzz: 16 Plants That Benefit Bees

Here’s The Buzz: 16 Plants That Benefit Bees

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Bees play a crucial role in pollinating our plants and ensuring biodiversity. By planting bee-friendly plants, you can help support these essential pollinators. Here are 16 plants that benefit bees, each providing vital resources such as nectar and pollen.

1. Lavender (Lavandula)

• Bloom Season: Summer
• Benefits: Lavender’s fragrant purple flowers are a favorite among bees. They provide a rich source of nectar and bloom over a long period, making them a reliable food source throughout the summer.

  

2. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

• Bloom Season: Summer to early autumn
• Benefits: Sunflowers offer both pollen and nectar. Their large, open flowers are easily accessible, attracting a variety of bee species.

3. Bee Balm (Monarda)

• Bloom Season: Mid to late summer
• Benefits: Bee Balm, also known as Bergamot, has tubular flowers that are perfect for long-tongued bees. It’s a prolific nectar producer, drawing in bees and other pollinators.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea)

• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Benefits: Coneflowers have prominent central cones surrounded by colorful petals. They provide a steady supply of nectar and pollen, making them a favorite for bees and other pollinators.

5. Borage (Borago officinalis)

• Bloom Season: Late spring to early autumn
• Benefits: Borage’s star-shaped blue flowers are rich in nectar. This plant is known for its long blooming season, providing a consistent food source for bees.

6. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

• Bloom Season: Spring and summer
• Benefits: Rosemary’s small, blue flowers are highly attractive to bees. In addition to its culinary uses, this herb offers a reliable source of nectar.

  

7. Clover (Trifolium)

• Bloom Season: Spring and summer
• Benefits: Clover flowers are a staple for bees, providing both nectar and pollen. They are especially valuable because they are widespread and easy to grow.

8. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• Bloom Season: Summer
• Benefits: Wild Bergamot’s lavender-pink flowers are highly attractive to bees. It produces an abundance of nectar, making it a popular choice for pollinator gardens.

9. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Benefits: Black-eyed Susans have bright yellow petals and a dark central cone. They provide a good source of nectar and pollen throughout their long blooming season.

10. Goldenrod (Solidago)

• Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
• Benefits: Goldenrod produces clusters of small yellow flowers that are rich in nectar. It blooms later in the season, providing a critical food source when other plants have finished blooming.

11. Sage (Salvia)

• Bloom Season: Spring to fall
• Benefits: Sage has spiky blooms in various colors, depending on the variety. It offers abundant nectar and blooms multiple times a year, making it a continuous resource for bees.

12. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Benefits: Cosmos are easy-to-grow annuals with daisy-like flowers. They provide ample nectar and pollen, attracting a wide range of bee species.

13. Catmint (Nepeta)

• Bloom Season: Late spring to early fall
• Benefits: Catmint’s blue or purple flowers are a magnet for bees. This hardy perennial is long-blooming and easy to maintain.

14. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Benefits: Zinnias produce vibrant, long-lasting flowers that are rich in nectar. They attract bees and other pollinators throughout the growing season.

15. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

• Bloom Season: Summer
• Benefits: Hyssop has spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. It’s a prolific nectar producer and is particularly attractive to honeybees.

16. Sedum (Sedum spectabile)

• Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
• Benefits: Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, has clusters of star-shaped flowers that are a valuable late-season nectar source. They are particularly beneficial to bees preparing for winter.

By incorporating these plants into your garden, you can create a vibrant, bee-friendly environment that supports the health and sustainability of bee populations. Happy planting!