If you’re looking to create a buzzing, vibrant garden that’s not only beautiful but also beneficial for our hardworking pollinator friends, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore the best perennials for bees, providing a feast of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. By planting these bee-friendly perennials, you’ll help support the health and diversity of bee populations while enjoying a garden full of color and life. Native plants are particularly effective in attracting native pollinators like native bees, ensuring your garden plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem.
You’ll be attracting bees, honey bees, and other pollinators by incorporating nectar-rich flowers such as bee balm and Joe Pye weed into your garden. These plants thrive in pollinator gardens and provide the essential nectar and pollen these tiny creatures need. Moist soil and well-drained conditions are ideal for many of these perennials, making creating a welcoming habitat for your buzzing friends easier. So, let’s dive into the world of bee-friendly gardening and discover the best plants for attracting and supporting native and pollinating bees!
Best Perennials for Bees
1. Bee Balm
When it comes to attracting pollinators, beebalm is a superstar, especially for butterflies and bees. Swallowtails seem to have a special affinity for beebalm, with the eastern tiger swallowtail frequently seen nectaring on the vibrant blooms in early summer. But these nectar-rich flowers also attract fritillaries, whites, and sulphurs, and even moths find their way to beebalm’s frilly blossoms. Imagine your garden buzzing with life, thanks to these pollinator magnets!
For those looking to attract bees and other insects, butterfly weed is another excellent choice. It thrives indry soil and well-drained soil,making it perfect for low maintenance plants. Pair it with globe thistle and anise hyssop for a diverse and colorful garden. These plants not only draw pollinators but also add unique textures and colors to your landscape. And don’t worry about deer, as many of these perennials, including beebalm and butterfly weed, are deer resistant.
2. Snowdrops
Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are the charming little heralds of spring, often pushing through the snow in the coldest regions to bring a touch of green and white to the winter landscape. These early-blooming perennial bulbs are a godsend for the early risers of the insect world. Winter sunshine can wake insects from their hibernation, including bees and butterflies, who find snowdrops to be one of the few available sources of pollen and nectar.
Snowdrops are not just resilient beauties; they also play a crucial role in the garden ecosystem. As they bloom in late winter to early spring, these hardy bulbs provide essential nourishment for hungry butterflies and bees emerging from their winter slumber. While most snowdrops spread as their bulbs divide and create new bulbs, early-flying bees visiting the flowers may also pollinate them, ensuring a delightful spread of these charming blooms.
Pair snowdrops with other fantastic perennials like Echinacea purpurea and Russian sage to create a garden that buzzes with life all summer long. Add black-eyed Susans to your plant list for a burst of bright yellow in late spring, attracting bees and butterflies throughout the growing season.
3. Dandelions
As one of the first spring blooms, dandelions are like a beacon for bees and butterflies, offering a vital source of nectar and pollen when other flowers are still asleep. These bright yellow wonders are a feast for the eyes and play a crucial role in attracting beneficial insects to your garden. From bees and butterflies to beetles, various pollinators are drawn to the sweet, nectar-like substance dandelions produce.
But that’s not all—dandelions also benefit your garden. The leaves serve as a natural mulch and add valuable organic matter as they decompose, enriching the soil. Thanks to these cheerful blooms, imagine your garden buzzing with life from late spring through summer. Adding dandelions to your plant lists is smart for anyone looking to support a diverse and thriving ecosystem.
4. Lavender
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a superstar in attracting butterflies. This vibrant flower adds a splash of color to the late summer landscape, standing tall and proud in your garden. Imagine a bed of low-growing perennials with the showy flowers of Echinacea rising above, creating a stunning visual display that also serves as a butterfly magnet.
Lavender is another fantastic choice for bringing pollinators into your yard. Its sweet nectar is a favorite food for butterflies, particularly the Horace’s Duskywing and Western Tiger Swallowtail. By planting lavender, you’ll provide beauty and a food source for these delicate creatures, ensuring a garden full of fluttering wings.
Both coneflowers and lavender offer more than just visual appeal—they’re also essential for supporting pollinators. These flowers have a long season of blooms, providing nectar and pollen that honeybees and other insects with long tongues find irresistible.
5. Sweet Romance
In general, members of the sweet romance families are a hit among pollinators because they provide the perfect flower heads for butterflies to perch on and tiny, closely-packed flowers that maximize nectar access. Bees and butterflies can’t get enough of these blooms, making them a must-have in any garden. However, you won’t have to worry about deer and rabbits munching on these plants—they tend to stay away.
Take Liatris spicata, for example. This native perennial species is a magnet for insects, including bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Planting in your garden adds a touch of purple to the landscape and thrives in dry conditions, making it a resilient choice. It’s one of the many cultivars growing happily across various environments.
Goldenrod is another fantastic option for attracting diverse pollinators, including moths and other insects. Its vibrant yellow flowers are beautiful and highly effective at drawing in those beneficial critters.
6. Purple Coneflower
The beautiful, daisy-like blossoms of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) make it a must-have for any perennial bed. These vibrant flowers aren’t just eye candy—they’re also a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to attract butterflies, bumblebees, and birds to their gardens. With their striking ‘cone-shaped’ centers, coneflowers stand out and add a splash of color to any landscape.
But the benefits of coneflowers don’t stop at their looks. They make great cut flowers, bringing a touch of the garden indoors. Plus, their seeds are a tasty butterfly treat, making your garden a hub of activity. With many varieties to choose from, you can find the perfect coneflower to suit your needs.
Coneflowers are native to North America and thrive in various weather conditions, making them a reliable addition to your garden. They’re also a good choice for minimising pesticide use, as these hardy plants can fend for themselves.
7. Salvia
With its resplendent blooms and no-fuss nature, salvia is a superstar in the garden, beloved by both gardeners and butterflies. Planted in the fall, this delightful perennial thrives in average, well-drained soil under full sun, rewarding you with weeks of vibrant, blooming beauty. Butterflies simply can’t resist salvia’s colorful spires, making it a must-have for any butterfly-friendly garden.
Imagine your garden bed bursting with these eye-catching blooms, perfectly complemented by a backdrop of shrubs. The sight of butterflies fluttering around, drawn to the salvia’s nectar-rich flowers, is sure to bring joy and life to your outdoor space.
8. Hellebores
Hellebores are one of the best flowers for attracting butterflies, adding a splash of color to your late summer landscape. If you’re a gardener looking to bring vibrant butterflies to your garden, consider planting a few butterfly bushes. Known by their botanical name Buddleja davidii, these flowering hedge plants are a magnet for butterflies, ensuring your garden is buzzing with life.
With various cultivars to choose from, you can find the perfect match for your garden’s aesthetic. Imagine these beautiful plants found growing alongside hellebores, creating a dynamic and colorful environment. Butterfly bushes are a must-have for any gardener aiming to create a lively and pollinator-friendly space!
Conclusion
Creating a bee-friendly garden filled with beautiful perennials is not only a joy for the eyes but a gift to nature’s little helpers. By planting nectar-rich flowers like bee balm, Joe Pye weed, and purple coneflowers, you’re setting up a pollinator paradise that supports the health and diversity of bee populations. These perennials thrive in various soil conditions and add vibrant colors to your garden, ensuring it buzzes with life all season long.
