13 Flowers That Make Your Garden More Bee-Friendly

The world needs its pollinators, but right now the global bee population is in decline. There are many reasons for this, including climate change and the use of pesticides in some cases.

A loss of habitat is another issue affecting bees across the world. While we can’t address the whole problem, there are ways in which we can help in our own yards.

Many plants are bee-friendly and will attract this vital insect when in full bloom. The entries here are appealing to bees for different reasons, but each one can make a difference.

1. Lavender

Honey Bee on Lavender Flower

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Image Credit: TTaylor, Own Work – CC BY 2.5/Wiki Commons.

It’s said that Lavender grows best in dry and arid conditions, but it’s a plant that can thrive in many parts of the world. I have colorful Lavender flowers here in gray and cold England, and that vibrant color helps to bring the bees to the yard.

The main attraction of lavender is, however, the smell. You may see more bumblebees, as the flowers are more suited to pollinators with longer tongues.

2. Snowdrops

Blooming Snowdrops
Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

For many of us, snowdrops are the first flowers we see in the calendar year. It’s a sign that winter is coming to a close, and the warmer temperatures are finally on their way.

Bees can also relate to this promise of better weather. Those waking early from hibernation need to feed, and snowdrops can be the only flowers in town, so look to cultivate them if you can.

3. Crocus

Crocus Saffron
Image Credit: Safa daneshvar, Own Work – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Crocus flowers follow quickly on from snowdrops. They bloom in early spring, and they assist bees in two separate ways. Like all plants on this list, they are a source of nectar and are vital for insects appearing early in the year.

The shape of the crocus flower itself can also provide valuable shelter. At nightfall, the flowers close up and protect any resting bees until the morning. 

4. Rosemary

Rosemary Flowers
Image Credit: Margalob, Own Work – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Rosemary is a plant that divides opinion. It has a strong scent and its leaves provide a tasty accompaniment to roasted vegetables, but not everyone agrees with this statement.

If you love to use it in cooking it’s a great addition to the garden, but whatever your personal viewpoint, bees love it. Rosemary is a plant that can deter unwanted pests, so it’s a versatile addition to your garden, even if you’ll never add it to your Sunday roast.

5. Salvia

Bee on Salvia
Image Credit: Gideon Pisanty, Own Work – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

At a garden show I attended recently, it was clear that the bees loved salvia. They were all over the flowers, essentially ignoring anything else in the vicinity.

The reason is that salvia is rich in nectar and will likely carry more than any neighboring plants. The flowers come in a range of colors including blue, scarlet, and vivid purple, and will stand out in your garden. Salvia is another versatile plant capable of growing in most conditions. 

6. Primrose

Common Evening Primrose
Image Credit: Christian Ferrer, Own Work – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Primroses can take over from snowdrops and crocuses as spring develops. They will start to flower in March, and unless the weather is extreme, they will remain in bloom through to May.

A primrose will attract a wide range of bee species including workers, hairy-footed flower bees, and bumble bees. They are easy to grow and will bring a welcome splash of color to your spring garden.

7. Dandelion

Dandelion
Image Credit: Greg Hume, Own Work – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Next time you come to mow your lawn, think carefully about the fate of the humble dandelion. Considered a weed by most of us, it was once an important source of food. Every part of a dandelion is edible, from flower to root.

You’ll also be depriving bees by cutting them down. The flowers produce an abundance of petals and are rich in pollen and nectar. Consider leaving a wild patch where dandelions can grow undisturbed.

8. Bluebells

Bluebells
Image Credit: Arnstein Rønning, Own Work – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

You know summer’s on the way when swathes of bluebells cover the forest floor. For those who struggle with winter and its dark days, this is a welcoming sight, but it’s not just humans who appreciate their arrival.

Bees are attracted to bluebells due to their colors, and they access the nectar by biting a hole in the flower. Don’t worry, that hole is scarcely visible and it won’t spoil a bluebell’s beauty.

9. Apple Trees

Apple blossoms
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If you have the time and patience to grow apple trees, they will reward you with delicious fruit. Most varieties take between five and twelve years to mature, and the flowers attract bees among other pollinators.

All fruit trees can be beneficial to these essential insects, but apple blossom has an exceptionally high sugar content and will provide bees with more value for their visit.

10. Foxgloves

Pink common foxglove with bee
Image Credit: Sylvia Wetzel – CC0/Wiki Commons.

Once you have a single foxglove in your garden, you may never need to grow another. They are among the most effective plants when it comes to self-seeding. You may want to remove some to keep them under control, but there are good reasons for letting them do their thing.

Foxgloves are stunning plants, producing beautiful flowers and they can grow to several feet in height. Those bright flowers are also great for attracting bees, especially the long-tongued variety which can access the hard-to-reach nectar.

11. Alliums

Wild Allium
Image Credit: Photogir, Own Work – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Alliums are a versatile plant, with chives included in the overall family. If you don’t intend to grow them as a herb, larger globe-shaped flowers can tower in your garden, and make a stunning centerpiece.

All alliums are rich in nectar and will attract bees, but the most productive is the Sicilian honey garlic variety. Remember to plant in the fall, and with the right conditions, your alliums should return each year. 

12. Wallflowers

Wallflowers
Image Credit: Kirisame, Own Work – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

The term “wallflower” is often used in a negative sense, but the plants are heroes to the bee fraternity. They bridge the gap between spring and summer when the snowdrops and crocuses have gone, and flowers are in scarce supply.

Otherwise known as Erysimum, a wallflower can bloom for much of the year, providing a rich source of pollen and nectar when other flowers have disappeared for a few months.

13. Fuchsias

Fuchsia
Image Credit: O’Dea – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

The standout in my current garden is a giant fuchsia and I love sitting out in mid to late summer and watching bees fill their pockets with its nectar. The flowers provide a rich supply and they even have a little canopy to keep pollinators dry while feasting.

Fuschias bloom well into the fall and are one of the best plants for bees looking for pollen and nectar in the later months of the year.

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