18 Buzz-Worthy Flowers to Turn Your Garden into a Bee Paradise!
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Bees are pollinators, which are essential to the health of ecosystems and the production of many crops that humans depend on. Turning your garden into a haven for bees isn’t just a kind gesture – it’s important for the planet. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that bees pollinate nearly 75% of the crops that feed us.
However, their populations are declining because of habitat loss and climate change. You might just be the savior they’ve been waiting for. Read on to discover 18 gorgeous flowers that will transform your garden into the ultimate bee haven!
Lavender
Lavender is a favorite among humans, but it’s also a bee magnet! Its attractive blooms are fragrant and rich in nectar, which attracts bees throughout the season.
To add a pop of color and a continuous buzz of happy pollinators, plant it in sunny spots.
Sunflowers
With tall, productive, and cheerful blooms, sunflowers are neon signs for bees. They pack large heads of pollen, so there’s enough to go around for the pollinators.
Sunflowers also add height and drama to your garden.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers, with their daisy shape and vivid colors, are irresistible to bees. These hardy perennials bloom all summer long and provide a steady food source for your garden visitors.
They also do well in various climates, and so are versatile choices.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm is another favorite for pollinators, as its name suggests. It has tubular flowers from which bees can get nectar, in shades of red, pink, and purple.
These beauties should be planted in clusters to offer a visual and ecological feast in your garden.
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans add sunshine to your garden, and their bright yellow blooms with dark centers are a great treat for bees. Thanks to their long flowering season, bees have food throughout the summer.
Low maintenance and adaptable to soil conditions, they are a gardener’s dream.
Clover
Clover is often overlooked as a simple ground cover, but it’s a bee superfood. It’s easy to grow in your lawn or garden, and its small, fragrant flowers are packed with nectar.
It doesn’t take much for a few bees to show up; just let a patch of clover bloom.
Crocuses
These early bloomers are lifesavers for bees waking from their hibernation in spring. One of the first food sources of the year is their vibrant purple, yellow, and white petals.
Plant crocus bulbs in the fall, and you’ll have a brilliant bee magnet in the spring.
Wildflowers
A mix of native wildflowers attracts pollinating insects. Cosmos, daisies and poppies can provide a variety of nectar sources, and a varied diet for pollinators.
Wildflowers also help create a charming, carefree look in your garden.
Zinnias
Zinnias are cheerful, bright blooms and the life of any garden party. Easy-to-access pollen and nectar attract bees to these flowers.
Plant these in sunny spots and enjoy a whole season of steady pollinator traffic.
Foxgloves
Foxgloves are architectural and ecological delights with their towering spires of bell-shaped flowers. The tubular blooms make lovely homes for bees to crawl into to reach nectar.
Plant a few in partial shade for some whimsy in your garden.
Borage
Borage, or starflower, is an edible plant beloved by bees. Their star-shaped blue blooms pack lots of nectar and keep bees coming back for more.
It self-seeds, so you’ll get all the benefits year after year.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod, often thought of as an allergen, is, in fact, a friend to the bee. In late summer and fall, bright yellow clusters bloom, offering important food for bees foraging before winter hibernation.
It is a plant worth growing everywhere as it thrives in almost all conditions.
Marigolds
Golden–hued marigolds aren’t just good pest repellents but also bee attractors. Their easy-to-grow nature and bright blooms make them a perfect choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.
Use them for a splash of color and buzz in borders or beds.
Salvia
Salvia is a tall spike of nectar-rich flowers that bees love and are a member of the sage family. This drought tolerant plant is available in different colors, and does well in sunny spots.
This is a win for your garden aesthetic and your pollinator population.
Hollyhocks
Bees love these cottage garden staples for their tall stalks with large blooms. The nectar rich flowers of the Hollyhock are perfect for pollinators, and they are available in a rainbow of colors.
They make a charming vertical display when planted along fences or walls.
Alyssum
Alyssum is low-growing, sweetly scented, and a bee favorite. Its tiny white, pink, and pink flowers produce a dainty carpet of color.
Plant it as a ground cover or in containers to bring bees close.
Cosmos
Extremely easy to grow, these daisy-like flowers are loved by the bees. Throughout the summer cosmos offers a steadfast source of nectar as they bloom profusely.
Their light, airy appearance makes them elegant additions to any pollinator garden. As experts advise, choose a sunny and well-draining soil to grow cosmos.
Thyme
Thyme is a great herb for cooking, but its tiny purple or pink flowers are a delight to bees. Growing it in your garden helps pollinators and gives you an herb with many benefits.
According to research, thyme is a good source of flavonoids and antioxidants, which help to protect your cells from damage. Allow it to flower, and you will be bombarded with bees visiting these sweetly scented blooms.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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