Pollinators are essential to your garden’s success, so why not invite bees and butterflies over with some beautiful blooms?
Bees are insatiable and seek out flowers that provide them with both nectar and pollen.
Bees appreciate classic flowers like alyssum, cleome, and zinnias because they’re easily located and accessible.
Alyssum
Alyssum is a low-growing perennial or annual that’s grown for its beautiful white, pink, or violet flowers. It’s easy to grow and often used as bedding plants or in containers like hanging baskets and window boxes.
The flower serves as a good weed suppressant and attracts beneficial pollinators to the garden. It can be planted in vacant spaces or between rows of vegetables to suppress weeds and act as protection from pests.
Many varieties of alyssum are cool-season annuals, meaning they stop blooming during hot weather to conserve energy. However, some newer hybrid varieties can withstand higher temperatures and provide you with longer bloom time.
Sweet alyssum flowers thrive in gardens when given full sun, partial shade, and well-drained soil. As this flower requires moderate nitrogen, add a time-release fertilizer at planting and reapply monthly after blooms fade.
Alyssum plants can become wilting if their soil becomes too wet or they become infected with diseases like clubroot. Yellow leaves indicate an infection rather than death – not necessarily that the plant itself has succumbed.
Cleome
If you want to attract bees and butterflies to your garden, cleome is an ideal flower to plant. It’s a low-water, drought-tolerant native flower with vibrant purple blooms that attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Cleome is native to most USDA growing zones and blooms from early summer until frost. It makes a lovely addition to any cottage garden or naturalized meadow setting.
Bees love this annual as it provides them with a steady source of nectar for pollination and honey production. Not only does it make an attractive cut flower, but it is also easy to grow from seeds.
Cleome seeds require a warmer temperature than most summer annuals, so they should be planted after the soil has warmed up. Ideal germination temperatures should range between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 68-70 degrees at night.
Cleomes are drought tolerant and thrive in sunny conditions with well-draining soil and moderate watering during the growing season. Once established, they become resistant to pests and mildew. If the plants become overcrowded, thin them out for a neat and tidy garden appearance.
Zinnias
Zinnias are an especially beloved flower for bees. Not only do they offer plenty of nectar, but they’re easy to grow in your garden as well. Plus, their low-to-the ground height makes them great for adding some seasonal color into the mix.
Zinnias come in an array of colors and bloom sizes, such as single, double, and semi-double flowers. They can be planted indoors or outdoors on beds and borders for beautiful flower arrangements.
Can be planted as early as early spring and typically bloom by midsummer. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Queen Red Lime’ zinnias are especially attractive to bees due to their large blooms that provide plenty of nectar, pollen, and butterflies.
Zinnias are incredibly adaptable plants, capable of growing in virtually any garden setting as long as they get full sun and fertile soil. Some even thrive in dry or sandy conditions.
Zinnias make an ideal starter plant, blooming quickly from seed to flower. Not only are they hardy and can thrive in containers or garden beds, but they’re also pest and disease tolerant – so you can directly seed or transplant into the garden once soil temperatures have reached 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are one of the most beloved flowers to cultivate. Not only are they easy to grow and high energy, but they also provide valuable food sources for birds and bees.
Sunflowers not only make an excellent bee food but also offer abundant pollen and nectar. Pollen provides essential protein for bees while nectar gives them energy.
Honey bees are the traditional commercial pollinators of sunflowers, but other kinds of bees like bumblebees can also be beneficial. To encourage more bees in your garden, plant sunflowers and monitor which pollinators visit them.
Some varieties of sunflowers can self pollinate, spreading pollen between florets in a single disc. However, insect pollination is more effective for these flowers.
Bees can also distribute pollen between florets on one disc, increasing genetic diversity within a plant. Furthermore, they transfer pollen between rows for improved seed survival between successive generations of sunflower seeds.
If you want to attract bees to your garden, try planting classic yellow sunflower varieties. These plants thrive in warm temperatures and can withstand drought conditions once established. However, be aware that they tend to be heavy feeders so be sure to provide them with adequate food and water regularly.
Salvia
Salvia is a favorite flower among bees due to its extended bloom period. Bees typically visit salvia starting in the spring and continue to visit until September or October of each year.
Growing this flower in your garden will attract all types of pollinators, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, while its sweet scent keeps deer and rabbits away from your gardens. It also makes an excellent decorative item.
Growing Salvia in your garden is easy! Simply plant it directly on the ground or in containers. Make sure your soil drains freely, and there is plenty of sun exposure for best results.
Some salvias develop woody stems after flowering, which can be left unpruned. Use clean scissors to prune them back to an inch or two above soil level with sharp garden shears.
Salvia feeds bees, and many varieties of it are also beneficial to other wildlife. Hummingbirds love them for their nectar-filled treats, and they also tend to be drought-resistant.
When selecting salvias for your garden or yard, there are plenty of varieties to choose from. Plant them alongside lilac bushes and other flowers known to attract bees, such as marigolds.
Calendula
If you want to grow flowers that bees love most, calendula is your perfect choice. Also known as pot marigold or English marigold, this perennial flower provides plenty of pollen and nectar for bee hives.
This plant is an absolute joy to grow and blooms throughout the season. Optimal conditions for growing this species are full sun or partial shade; however, it can also thrive in shade if given enough moisture. Furthermore, its cold-hardiness means it can handle occasional frosts without issue.
These vibrant orange-yellow flowers make stunning bouquets or can be dried and used as an herbal tea or added to salads. Furthermore, the petals make for great natural food coloring that can substitute for expensive saffron.
As with all herbs, be sure to consult a physician before using them for any health condition. Herbs can interact with medications and supplements and cause unwanted side effects.
Calendula can be applied topically for various skin conditions. It helps alleviate rashes, eczema, burns, and reduce inflammation. Furthermore, it has been known to be taken internally to support the immune system as well as promote cellular repair and growth.
Culinary Herbs
Many culinary herbs can attract bees, including oregano (Origanum), lovage (Levisticum officinale), basil (Ocimum basilicum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgare). These plants can be used in soups, salads, vinaigrettes, stews, tomato sauces, meat dishes, and desserts.
Herbs that attract bees are also beneficial for pollinating other plants and flowers in the garden. They provide bees with a varied source of food, which is essential for their health and well-being.
Basil is another bee-friendly herb, blooming from early spring until late summer. It’s easy to grow and requires minimal care; it thrives in full sun with well-drained soil.
Sage is a widely-used herb known for its medicinal qualities and flavor. It features long, circular leaves with an intense peppery taste that can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or infused in oil. Sage has many uses; it can be eaten fresh, dried, or infused in oil.
Herbs taste delicious and beneficial for your health as they’re low in calories and packed with phytochemicals and antioxidants that may prevent certain diseases. Furthermore, herbs may aid weight loss by increasing satiety levels, slowing down eating frequency.
