Plants bees love

 

Planting bee-friendly plants in your garden or outdoor space is not only a beautiful way to enhance your landscape but also a crucial way to support pollinators, including bees. Bees play a vital role in pollinating many of the plants that produce our food, making them essential for agriculture and ecosystems. Here are some plants that bees love:

 

1. **Lavender (Lavandula):**

   - Lavender produces fragrant spikes of purple flowers that are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.

   - Bees are drawn to the abundant nectar and pollen provided by lavender blooms.

 

2. **Bee Balm (Monarda):**

   - Bee balm, also known as wild bergamot, has vibrant, tubular flowers that are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds.

   - It comes in various colors, including red, pink, and purple.

 

3. **Salvia (Salvia spp.):**

   - Salvias, including common sage and ornamental varieties like Salvia nemorosa, have tubular flowers that are rich in nectar.

   - They come in various colors and attract a wide range of bee species.

 

4. **Catmint (Nepeta):**

   - Catmint, also called catnip, produces clusters of small, tubular flowers that are a bee magnet.

   - It's low-maintenance and often blooms throughout the summer.

 

5. **Sunflowers (Helianthus):**

   - Sunflowers have large, showy flowers that are rich in pollen and nectar.

   - They are especially attractive to native bee species and bumblebees.

 

6. **Coneflowers (Echinacea):**

   - Coneflowers produce daisy-like flowers with prominent central cones.

   - They are popular with both honeybees and native bees.

 

7. **Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia):**

   - Black-eyed Susans have bright yellow or orange petals with dark central cones.

   - They are a great source of nectar for bees.

 

8. **Borage (Borago officinalis):**

   - Borage produces clusters of small, blue, star-shaped flowers.

   - It's highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.

 

9. **Phlox (Phlox spp.):**

   - Phlox plants offer clusters of fragrant, colorful flowers that bees find appealing.

   - They are available in various colors and sizes.

 

10. **Goldenrod (Solidago):**

    - Goldenrod is a late-season bloomer with tall, golden-yellow flower spikes.

    - It provides a valuable source of late-season nectar for bees preparing for winter.

 

11. **Clover (Trifolium):**

    - White clover and red clover are common lawn plants that attract honeybees.

    - They are an essential food source for honeybees, particularly in areas with limited forage.

 

12. **Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):**

    - Rosemary produces small, blue to purple flowers that are rich in nectar.

    - Bees are often seen foraging on rosemary blooms.

 

13. **Fruit Trees (Apple, Cherry, Pear, etc.):**

    - Many fruit trees produce blossoms that are highly attractive to bees.

    - Bees are essential for pollinating these trees, ensuring fruit production.

 

When planning your garden to attract bees, aim for a mix of plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Native plants are often an excellent choice because they have coevolved with local pollinators. Also, avoid using pesticides and herbicides that can harm bees and other beneficial insects. Creating a bee-friendly garden helps support pollinators and the ecosystem as a whole.