Top 10 Plants to Attract Bees to Your Garden

If you’ love bees like I do, then you’re probably already aware of the importance of bees in your garden. Not only do they pollinate your plants, but they also help keep your garden healthy by warding off harmful pests. However, attracting bees isn’t as hard as you may think. Let’s go over some of the top 10 plants that will help you attract bees to your garden and keep them coming back for more.

Why Do Bees Matter in Your Garden?

Before we dive into the top 10 plants to save the bees, it’s important to understand why bees are important in your garden. Bees play a vital role in pollinating your plants, which helps them grow and produce fruits and vegetables. Without bees, your garden would struggle to produce healthy crops. Additionally, bees help control the population of harmful pests, such as aphids and spider mites.

The Top 10 Plants to Attract Bees

1. Lavender
2. Sunflowers
3. Wildflowers
4. Borage
5. Rosemary
6. Sage
7. Thyme
8. Coneflowers
9. Bee Balm
10. Catmint

Lavender

Lavender is a popular plant that’s known for its beautiful purple flowers and its relaxing scent. But did you know that lavender is also a great plant to attract bees? Bees enjoy the nectar and pollen that lavender produces, and they’ll be happy to make this plant a regular stop on their pollination route. Lavender flowers are also a good source of food for bees because they are open and easy to access. Additionally, lavender has a strong, sweet scent that bees find attractive.

Tips for attracting bees to your lavender plants.

• Plant lavender in full sun.
• Water lavender regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize lavender every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead lavender flowers regularly to encourage new growth.
• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides near lavender plants.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are another great plant that bees love. Not only do they produce large, showy flowers that are a feast for the eyes, but they also produce a lot of nectar and pollen that bees love. In addition, sunflowers are easy to grow and can add a pop of color to any garden.

Here are some tips to attract bees to your sunflower plants.

• Plant sunflowers in full sun.
• Water sunflowers regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize sunflowers every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides near sunflowers.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are another way to allure bees to your garden. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they produce a lot of nectar that bees can’t resist. In addition, wildflowers are easy to grow and can add a natural, rustic look to your garden.

Tips for growing wildflower in your garden.

• Plant a variety of wildflowers, including both annuals and perennials.
• Choose wildflowers that bloom at different times of the year, so that there is always something in bloom for the bees.
• Plant wildflowers in full sun.
• Water your wildflower garden regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides near your wildflower garden.

Borage

Borage is another beautiful plant that catches a bee’s attention. It produces beautiful blue flowers that are a favorite of bees, and it also produces a lot of nectar. Borage plants are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, which can help to improve the health of bees.

Tips for planting borage.

• Sow the seeds in the spring, after the last frost.
• Plant the seeds in full sun or partial shade.
• Borage prefers well-drained soil, but it can tolerate a variety of soils.
• Water the plants regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize the plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage new growth.
• Harvest the leaves and flowers as needed

Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular herb that’s known for its culinary uses. But did you know that rosemary is also a great plant that bees love? Bees love the nectar that rosemary produces, and they’ll be happy to make this plant a regular stop on their pollination route. It is a woody, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall.

Here are some tips to grow rosemary in your garden.

• Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Rosemary does not like wet feet.
• Plant rosemary in the spring or fall.
• Water rosemary regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize rosemary every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead rosemary flowers to encourage new growth.
• Harvest rosemary leaves and stems as needed.

Sage

Sage is another herb that’s known for attracting bees to your garden. It produces beautiful purple flowers that are a favorite of bees, and it also produces a lot of nectar. In addition, sage is easy to grow and can add a lovely fragrance to your garden.

Top tips to grow sage for your garden.

1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
2. Start with either seeds or cuttings.
3. Plant in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild.
4. Sage needs minimal watering, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
5. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
6. Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess.
7. Harvest sage leaves as needed, but avoid taking more than one-third of the plant at a time.
8. Sage is a perennial herb and can be grown for many years, but may need to be replaced after three to five years.

Thyme

Thyme is a popular herb that’s used in a variety of dishes and is also another one to attract bees. Thyme produces tiny purple or pink flowers that bees love, and it also produces a lot of nectar. In addition, thyme is easy to grow and can add a lovely fragrance to your garden.

Tips to grow thyme in your garden.

1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
2. Start with either seeds or small thyme plants.
3. Plant in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild.
4. Thyme needs moderate watering, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
5. Fertilize sparingly, as thyme prefers lean soil.
6. Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess.
7. Harvest thyme leaves as needed, but avoid taking more than one-third of the plant at a time.
8. Thyme is a perennial herb and can be grown for many years, but may need to be replaced after three to five years.

Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are another great plant that will have bees swarming in your garden. They produce beautiful pink or purple flowers that are a favorite of bees, and they also produce a lot of nectar. In addition, coneflowers are easy to grow and can add a splash of color to your garden.

A few tips to grow coneflowers in your garden.

1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
2. Plant in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild.
3. Coneflowers need moderate watering, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
4. Fertilize sparingly, as coneflowers prefer lean soil.
5. Provide support for taller varieties with stakes or trellises.
6. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continued blooming.
7. Coneflowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making them an excellent choice for a bee garden

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a beautiful plant that produces showy, bright flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. As the name suggests, bee balm is a favorite of bees who love the plant’s nectar. In addition, it is easy to grow and can add a burst of color to your garden.

Simple tips to grow bee balm flowers.

• Plant bee balm in full sun. Bee balm plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive.
• Make sure the soil is in well-drained. Bee balm plants do not tolerate saturated roots.
• Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting. This will help to improve drainage and provide nutrients for the plants.
• Water plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
• Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Deadhead bee balm flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.
• Cut back the plants to the ground in the fall. This will help to prevent disease and pests.

Catmint

Catmint is a pretty plant that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers that are a favorite of bees. In addition, catmint produces a lot of nectar, which makes it an ideal plant to attract bees to your garden. Catmint is also easy to grow and can add a lovely fragrance to your garden.

Tips to grow catmint flowers in your garden.

• Catmint is a relatively easy plant to grow and can be planted in the spring or fall.
• It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
• The soil should be well-drained and not too rich.
• Water regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
• Catmint is deer-resistant and can be grown in containers.
• This plant attracts bees and butterflies to your gardens.

Tips for Attracting Bees to Your Garden

In addition to planting the top 10 plants we’ve mentioned, there are a few other things you can do to make your garden bee friendly:

• Provide a source of water: Bees need a source of water, so consider adding a birdbath or small pond to your garden.
• Provide a variety of flowers: Bees are attracted to a variety of colors and shapes, so consider planting a mix of flowers in your garden.
• Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides are harmful to bees. Avoid using pesticides and weed killers in or around your garden.
• Plant in clusters: Bees are more attracted to clusters of flowers, so try planting the same type of plant in groups.

Attracting bees to your garden is essential for a healthy, productive garden. By planting the top 10 plants we’ve mentioned and following the tips we’ve provided, you can create a garden that’s a haven for bees. Not only will your garden thrive, but you’ll also be doing your part to help support the bee population.

I am invested in saving the bees and all of our pollinators. Please check out our entire save the bees collection to help up spread the word about this important cause.

FAQs

How do I attract bees to my garden?

Looking to attract bees to your garden? Consider planting flowers and herbs that bees love, such as lavender, sunflowers, and bee balm. Choose plants with a variety of bloom times to keep bees coming back throughout the season. Avoid using pesticides and opt for organic gardening methods to create a healthy environment for your bees.

Can I plant these in containers?

Yes, all of these plants can be grown in containers as long as they have enough space and sunlight.

What’s the best time of year to plant them?

The best time to plant these will depend on your climate and growing zone. Generally, spring and fall are good times to plant.

Do I need to use fertilizers to grow these plants?

While fertilizers can help your plants grow, it’s not always necessary. Most of the plants on this list will grow well with minimal fertilization.

How often do I need to water these plants?

The watering requirements for these plants vary, but most of them prefer moist, well-drained soil. Water them regularly, but be careful not to over water.

Are these plants safe for pets?

Most of these plants are safe for pets, but there are a few exceptions. Check with your veterinarian before planting if you’re unsure.