The bee population is in crisis! With pollinator numbers plummeting worldwide due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, our food systems hang in the balance. That’s why we’ve compiled this epic list of 21 beautiful, pollen-rich, and nectar-producing flowers that bees treasure. So – if you want more bees – then plant some of these!

Brilliant blue onion flowers with a visiting pollinator bee.

Sound good?

Then, let’s plant some epic pollinator flowers and bee-friendly gardens!

21 Pollinator Flowers That Bees Can’t Resist

Here’s how to turn your backyard into a buzzing oasis teeming with buzzing pollinators!

1. Coneflower (Echinacea)

A lovely monarch butterfly visiting and pollinating a pink coneflower.

Bees adore coneflowers for their abundant nectar and accessible pollen on prominent center cones. Their sturdy stems and long blooming period (June to October) provide a reliable food source throughout summer. These flowers are low-maintenance bee magnets with superb drought tolerance! Plant coneflowers in full sunlight with well-draining soil and minimal watering.

Mature Height: 2 to 5 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Summer into Fall.
When To Plant Outside: Spring or early summer, after the last frost.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 9.

Beyond attracting bees, purple coneflowers (Echinacea) can also make a delicious, delightful, soothing tea. Thus, they create a garden that helps pollinators – and people.

2. Anise Hyssop (Agastache)

Honeybee visiting and pollinating a purple agastache flower.

Bees can’t resist the sweet licorice scent and nectar-rich purple blooms of anise hyssop. This drought-tolerant perennial blooms for months and provides a consistent food source when other flowers fade. Give it full sun and well-draining soil. Then stand back and watch the pollinator party begin!

Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Summer to Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 8.

Agastache leaves also make a delightful tea that soothes the soul – and its flowers paint the garden with patches of purple twilight that seem to glow at dusk.

3. Geraniums (Cranesbill)

Purple blooming geranium flower with a bee pollinator.

Hardy geraniums offer bees accessible pollen and nectar with simple, open-faced blooms in purple, pink, and blue shades. These adaptable perennials thrive in partial shade to full sun and tolerate various soil conditions. Deadhead spent geranium blossoms for continuous flowering and bee visits all summer.

Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
When Does It Bloom: Spring to Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 9 to 11.

It’s also vital to remember that bees don’t like all geraniums! You want to grow hardy geraniums (Geranium spp.) because they produce ample nectar and pollen. On the other hand – zonal geraniums (Pelargonium) produce minimal nectar and low-quality pollen – so they’re less attractive to bees.

4. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)

Blooming snapdragon flowers with a visiting bumblebee.

Bumblebees are fiendishly fond of snapdragons and possess the perfect weight to push open these unique “mouth-like” flowers to access the sweet nectar. For best results, plant in full sun with well-draining soil and start from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Regular deadheading extends their blooming season.

Mature Height: 6 inches to 3 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Spring, Summer, and Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 7 to 11.

In folklore, snapdragons were famous for protecting gardens from curses and evil influences. Their dragon-mouth blooms allegedly snapped shut to trap negative energies!

5. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)

A dazzling nasturtium flower with a visiting bumble bee.

Bees love nasturtiums for their bright colors and shallow, nectar-filled spurs. These edible flowers thrive in poor soil conditions (richer soil produces fewer blooms) and require little care beyond occasional watering during dry spells. You can sow nasturtium seeds as soon as the overnight frost danger passes.

Mature Height: 1 to 10 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Spring to Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 9 to 11.

Every part of this plant is edible! It offers peppery flowers for summer salads while acting as a sacrificial trap crop to lure aphids away from your vegetables.

6. Dahlias (Single Varieties)

Black and orange tortoiseshell butterfly and a bumblebee pollinating a dahlia flower.

Single-flowered dahlias provide bees with easily accessible pollen and nectar, unlike their showier double-flowered cousins. These summer-to-fall bloomers offer bees a late-season food source when other flowers are fading. After the last frost, plant tubers in rich, well-draining soil and full sun for spectacular results.

Mature Height: 1 to 6 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Midsummer to the first frost.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 7 to 11.

The only problem with dahlia flowers is choosing the best cultivar for bees. There are thousands of varieties in a rainbow of colors. Bees adore dahlias with open centers, like singles, anemones, and collarettes.

7. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Hungry bumblebee snacking on creeping thyme flower nectar.

Bees buzz with excitement over the tiny, nectar-rich purple flowers of creeping thyme. This aromatic ground cover has a few hidden benefits. It thrives in rocky, poor soil conditions and releases a delightful fragrance when stepped on. It blossoms best with full sun and makes a superb drought-resistant lawn replacement.

Mature Height: 2 to 3 inches.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to early summer.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 4 to 9.

Honeybees and bumblebees aren’t the only pollinators who love creeping thyme. It’s also a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies!

8. Sunflowers (Helianthus)

A lovely sunflower with a friendly garden bee visitor.

Bees go wild for the abundant pollen and nectar of sunflowers! Their large central discs serve as landing pads where multiple bees can feast simultaneously. Direct sow after danger of frost in full sun and watch them grow quickly into towering bee beacons.

Mature Height: 3 to 10+ feet. It depends on the cultivar.
When Does It Bloom: Mid to late summer.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: Suitable for most zones.

Did you know sunflower blooms follow the sun? It’s true! Like faithful worshippers, these solar trackers watch the sun’s journey across the sky. Their faces turn east each morning in a daily ritual of botanical devotion.

9. Hibiscus

Blooming pink hibiscus flower in the morning with a visiting bee.

Bees flock to hibiscus for its large, open flowers filled with nectar and prominent pollen-laden stamens. Hardy hibiscus returns yearly, even in northern gardens – or you can quickly grow tropical varieties in containers. Plant it in full sun with consistently moist, rich soil for the most prolific blooming.

Mature Height: 3 to 10 feet. Depending on the cultivar.
When Does It Bloom: Summer to Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 9 to 11.

Hibiscus flowers are like vibrant ballrooms for bees! It’s where your backyard buzzers gather, dance, and dine on nectar and pollen amidst a whirlwind of colors and scents.

10. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Gorgeous pink blooming bee balm flowers growing in the backyard pollinator garden.

True to its name, bee balm is irresistible to pollinators with its aromatic foliage and unique whorled flowers in red, purple, and pink shades. This native perennial spreads readily in sunny to partially shaded locations with average to moist soil. Thinning bee balm occasionally improves air circulation and prevents powdery mildew.

Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Summer to Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 9.

Beyond pollinator gardens, bee balm has many real-world uses. The flowers and leaves make a delicious, soothing, relaxing herbal tea. You can also use it to flavor jellies, syrups, desserts, oils, or vinegar. It also makes a superb salad topper.

11. Marigolds (Tagetes)

Brilliant orange and yellow marigold flowers with a hungry bee pollinator.

Bees love single-flowered marigold varieties for their accessible pollen, bright colors, and accessible landing beacons. These easy-growing annuals bloom continuously from spring until frost with minimal care. Direct sow in full sun after the danger of frost has passed, and deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms.

Mature Height: 6 inches to 3 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: Annual; suitable for most zones.

Plant marigolds throughout your vegetable garden to repel harmful nematodes underground while their golden blooms above create landing beacons for beneficial pollinators.

12. Catmint (Nepeta)

Blooming catmint flowers with a visiting bee pollinator.

Bees can’t resist the lavender-blue flower spikes of catmint! The fragrant blossoms are rich in nectar and aromatic oils. Catmint is a lovely drought-tolerant perennial that blooms for months and often reblooms if cut back after its first flowering. Plant catmint in full sunlight with well-draining soil for years of epic backyard bumblebee action.

Mature Height: 1 to 3 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Early summer with repeat blooms throughout the season.
When To Plant Outside: Spring or early fall.
USDA Growth Zone: 4 to 8.

Beyond attracting bees, catmint creates a dreamy, intoxicating atmosphere for your favorite garden cats! Watch as they roll ecstatically in its aromatic leaves. It’s the easiest way to add feline entertainment to your bee sanctuary.

13. Phlox

Beautiful purplish pink phlox flowers blooming in the garden.

Both creeping and tall garden phlox varieties attract bees with their sweet fragrance and nectar-rich tubular blooms. Their extended flowering period provides reliable food sources throughout the growing season. All phlox varieties love growing in rich, moist soil with good air circulation.

Mature Height: 6 inches to 5 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Spring through late summer.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 9.

On warm summer evenings, phlox releases its most enchanting fragrance. It turns your garden into a nighttime plant paradise and attracts nocturnal moths to continue the pollination shift after bees retire.

14. Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

Gorgeous orange oriental poppy flowers blooming in the garden.

When visiting the giant blooms of oriental poppies, bees become coated in pollen! Their open flower shape provides abundant access to protein-rich pollen that helps feed developing bee larvae. Plant these perennials in well-draining soil and full sun, allowing foliage to die naturally after flowering.

Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to early summer.
When To Plant Outside: Fall or early spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 7.

These garden gems also look dazzling. Their tissue-paper petals catch the early morning light like stained glass windows. This epic garden glimmer creates a mystical glow that transforms ordinary pollinator gardens into sacred spaces.

15. Zinnias

Lovely yellow zinnia flower with a garden bee visitor.

Bees adore single-variety zinnias for their landing-pad flowers and abundant nectar. These heat-loving annuals bloom from summer until frost while providing reliable late-season pollinator food. Direct sow after danger of frost or start indoors 4 or 6 weeks early for a head start on blooms.

Mature Height: 1 to 4 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Summer to the first frost.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 10.

Butterflies love zinnias almost as much as bees do! This diverse pollinator banquet creates a multi-layered display of winged visitors, bringing your garden into constant, delightful motion.

16. Sage (Salvia)

Hungry bee anxiously visiting a purple blooming sage flower.

Bees can’t resist the tubular blooms of sage! Their showy flowers have the ideal shape for their long tongues to access the nectar. Both ornamental and culinary varieties attract pollinators with their vibrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Plant sage in full sun with well-draining soil. Once established, it only needs minimal watering.

Mature Height: Roughly 1 to 5 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 4 to 10, depending on species.

Sage might have benefits that extend far beyond pollinator support. It has been used in smudging rituals to purify spaces, objects, and individuals for centuries. The practice involves burning sage to release its potent smoke, which some believe can help carry away negative influences and stagnant energies.

17. Cosmos

Lovely cosmos flowers in various pink and purple shades.

Bees flock to the cosmos for its open, daisy-like flowers with accessible pollen and nectar. These easy-growing annuals bloom profusely from summer until frost with minimal care. Direct sow cosmos seeds in full sunlight after the danger of frost has passed. Avoid nitrogen-rich soil, which produces fewer cosmos flowers and more foliage.

Mature Height: 1 to 6 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Summer through Fall.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 2 to 11.

The name cosmos is fitting – in more ways than one. Watching bees dance among these swaying blooms on summer afternoons reveals the perfect cosmic order of nature.

18. Chives And Other Alliums

A honeybee and scoliid wasp visiting a white blooming garlic chive flower.

Bees buzz with excitement over the spherical flower heads of alliums, which provide sturdy landing platforms where multiple bees can feed simultaneously. Plant ornamental alliums as bulbs in fall and edible varieties like chives anytime during the growing season. Both thrive in full sun with well-draining soil.

Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to early summer.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 3 to 9.

Plant alliums around fruit trees to deter borers and other pests. These purple force fields will guard your orchard while feeding beneficial insects!

19. Lavender (Lavandula)

A bee hungrily snacking on lavender flower nectar.

Bees find lavender irresistible for its aromatic nectar and abundant blooms that appear when many other plants have finished flowering. Once established, this gorgeous Mediterranean native thrives in full sun and poor, well-draining soil with minimal watering. Prune lavender after flowering to encourage bushier growth.

Mature Height: 1 to 3 feet, depending on variety.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to early summer.
When To Plant Outside: Spring to fall, depending on climate.
USDA Growth Zone: 5 to 9.

Lavender makes a superb potpourri. Infuse bedding with lavender sprigs to evoke dreams of buzzing Mediterranean hillsides where wild bees have visited these flowers for generations.

20. Blue Globe Allium (Echinops)

Beautiful blue onion flower with a hungry bee pollinator.

Bees can’t resist this unique perennial’s striking blue globes! These fancy flowers provide accessible nectar and a perfect landing platform. They’re also highly drought-tolerant and thrive in poor soil conditions – as long as they get full sun. Plant in fall or early spring and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.

Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
When Does It Bloom: Late spring to early summer.
When To Plant Outside: In fall, for spring blooming.
USDA Growth Zone: 2 to 7.

These otherworldly spheres resemble tiny blue planets hovering above the garden! They create a microscopic solar system where bees navigate like living spacecraft from bloom to bloom.

21. African Blue Basil

Beautiful blue basil flowers with a bee pollinator.

This sterile hybrid basil never sets seed, making it bloom continuously from spring until frost with nectar-rich flowers that drive bees wild! Unlike culinary basils, it’s perennial in warm climates and makes an excellent container specimen in colder regions. Treat these flowers with regular watering and occasional trimming to encourage bushier growth.

Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet.
When Does It Bloom: Continuously in warm climates.
When To Plant Outside: After the last frost in spring.
USDA Growth Zone: 10 to 11. Often grown as an annual elsewhere.

Unlike its culinary cousins, this basil’s leaves taste too strongly of camphor for cooking. But they still create a sensory eruption of fragrance with each brushing touch.

Tips For Creating The Ultimate Bee Garden

Epic lavender flowers blooming in an Australian garden.

Your backyard bees need all the help they can get! Here are a few more tips for making your backyard pollinator garden as welcoming as possible.

1. Provide Continuous Blooms!

Aim to have plenty of blooms from early spring through late fall by selecting plants with different flowering times.

2. Include Several Water Sources

Try bird baths or bowls with water, stones, or marbles for bees to land on while drinking.

3. Avoid Pesticides

Stop the madness with pesticides. Stop using them altogether – especially neonicotinoids, which harm bees.

4. Leave Bare Ground

Ground-nesting bees love sunny spots for establishing their homes – which often comprise many deep underground tunnels.

5. Incorporate Native Plants

Grow native plants whenever possible, as they’re perfectly adapted to support local bee species.

6. Provide Morning Sun

Morning sun is crucial for bee gardens – many species start foraging early in the day.

7. Leave Garden Cleanup Until Spring

Many nesting and solitary bees love old autumn leaves and yard debris. Wait until spring rather than fall to provide overwintering habitat for native bees.

Conclusion

Lovely purple lavender flowers with a visiting pollinator bee.

Bee populations continue to plunge at alarming rates worldwide. Their plummeting population threatens more than just honey production – it also threatens our entire food system. But we can help! Planting even a few bee-friendly flowers will create crucial habitats and food sources supporting native pollinators.

What about you?

Have you noticed a drop in native bee, honeybee, and bumblebee populations?
Do you have lots of bees in your yard? What flowers do they like most?
Will you help your bees by planting more native flowers?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!