17 of the Best Plants to Attract Bees to Your Garden

Did you know that just one bee can pollinate more than 1,000 flowers per day? Their favorite flowers are the ones native to their area. Bees also prefer brightly-colored blooms packed with pollen and nectar (their food sources). The following are some of the best plants to attract bees to your garden — and they’re all native to some part of the U.S.

For a garden bursting with busy bees, plant a variety of blooms with different colors and flower shapes. Bees’ favorite colors seem to be blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow. Choose plants with different bloom times to keep your bee buddies around all year long. 

1. Beardtongues (Penstemon spp.)

Beardtongues are a group of more than 200 flowering plants that offer a striking summer display. Different species have flowers in purple, blue, white, pink, or red. The blade-like foliage forms a bushy clump, and the blooms tower above the leaves in upright spikes. In addition to attracting bees, the flowers are a particular favorite of hummingbirds. 

Native beardtongue species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Firecracker penstemon (P. eatonii): Native to the Southwest; hardy in zones 4-8; grows 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide; bright red flowers; blooms May-August 

✓ Mississippi penstemon (P. digitalis): Native to the East and some of the central U.S.; hardy in zones 3-8; grows 3-5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide; white flowers; blooms May-July 

✓ Yellow penstemon (P. confertus): Native to the Northwest; hardy in zones 3-8; grows 1-2 feet tall and wide; light yellow or cream-colored flowers; blooms in July

• Native range: Varies by species 
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Well-draining, slightly alkaline sandy or gravelly soils 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant, but bred species might need water during long dry spells 
• Bloom time: Summer; some species start in late spring and some continue into fall 
• Duration: Short-lived perennial 
• Mature size: Varies by species; some are under 1 foot tall and others are up to 6 feet tall; 1-2 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: No hazards
• Special features: Heat-tolerant; deer-resistant; rabbit-resistant 

2. Beebrush (Aloysia gratissima)

Beebrush, sometimes known as whitebrush, is a woody shrub that produces upright spikes of tiny white flowers throughout most of the year. The leaves of the plant are bright green and blade-like, and they fall off the branches in winter. Beebrush isn’t only attractive for bees — its flowers give off a vanilla fragrance that humans can enjoy, too. 

• Native range: Southwestern U.S.
• Plant type: Shrub
• Hardiness zones: 8-11
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Prefers moist and well-draining rocky or sandy soils but also tolerates loamy, clay, and limestone soils 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant 
• Bloom time: March-November 
• Foliage: Deciduous 
• Mature size: 3-10 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Sharp spines; toxic to horses, mules, and burros; can become weedy and invasive 
• Special features: Vanilla fragrance; deer-resistant

3. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susans are a familiar sight throughout most of the country (the only states that don’t have native black-eyed Susans are Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada). Their cheery bright yellow petals surround a brown or black “eye” in the center. 

While black-eyed Susans are technically annuals (meaning they die in winter), they can remain in your garden for years without replanting because they freely self-seed. 

• Native range: Most of the U.S.
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 3-9
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil preferences: Any well-draining soil 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: May or June until frost 
• Duration: Annual or short-lived perennial 
• Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Can spread aggressively 
• Special features: Salt-tolerant; deer-resistant; reseeds itself 

4. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is a staple of pollinator gardens across the country. As its name suggests, it attracts swaths of butterflies, especially monarchs. It also attracts bees, of course, and hummingbirds. Butterfly weed grows in a bushy habit and blooms through most of summer and sometimes into fall with clusters of small, vibrant orange flowers. 

• Native range: All of the U.S. except the Northwest
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 3-9 
• Sun exposure: Full sun 
• Soil preferences: Prefers sandy soils but can grow in most soil types as long as they get good drainage 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: May-September 
• Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: 1½-2 feet tall and wide 
• Potential hazards: Toxic to people and pets if ingested 
• Special features: Excellent cut flowers; deer-resistant; reseeds itself 

5. Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

The desert marigold isn’t a true marigold, but its bright yellow daisy-like flowers are worthy of the name. Its foliage grows in a clump, and an abundance of cheery flowers shoot up on stalks starting in spring and lasting into winter. As the plant’s name suggests, desert marigold thrives in dry, arid climates and is perfect for xeriscaping. 

• Native range: Southwestern U.S.
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 7-10
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Dry, well-draining sandy or rocky soils 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: March-November 
• Duration: Annual or short-lived perennial 
• Mature size: 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Poisonous to goats and sheep
• Special features: Heat-tolerant; deer-resistant; rarely has disease or pest issues; reseeds itself in ideal conditions 

6. Giant hyssops (Agastache spp.)

More than 20 species of giant hyssop, aka hummingbird mint, are native to North America. Their blue, purple, or red flowers appear on upright spikes during summer, giving off a strong fragrance that has been likened to mint, licorice, and basil. Giant hyssops are common in pollinator gardens, where they attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  

Native giant hyssop species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Blue giant hyssop (A. foeniculum): Native to the northern U.S.; hardy in zones 4-8; grows up to 3 feet tall and 1½ feet wide; blue or lavender flowers; blooms July-August 

✓ White giant hyssop (A. micrantha): Native to the Southwest; hardy in zones 5-8; grows 3-4 feet tall and 1-1½ feet wide; white flowers; blooms July-October 

✓ Yellow giant hyssop (A. nepetoides): Native to the eastern and central U.S.; hardy in zones 2-8; grows 4-6 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide; light yellow or white flowers; blooms July-September 

• Native range: Varies by species
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species 
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil preferences: Rocky, sandy, or loamy soils with good drainage
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: Summer
• Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: Varies by species; some up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide but others smaller 
• Potential hazards: No hazards
• Special features: Fragrant flowers; deer-resistant; rabbit-resistant; heat-resistant 

7. Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod flowers provide food for bees and other pollinators late in the year when most other flowers have stopped blooming. More than 100 species of goldenrod are native to North America, and they all produce feathery, fluffy-looking spikes of bright yellow flowers. 

There’s a common misconception that goldenrods cause hay fever or allergies, but the culprit behind those runny noses is actually ragweed, which looks similar. 

Native goldenrod species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Gray goldenrod (S. nemoralis): Native from the East Coast as far west as New Mexico and Montana; hardy in zones 3-9; grows ½- 2 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide; blooms June-October 

✓ Showy goldenrod (S. speciosa): Native to the eastern and central U.S.; hardy in zones 3-8; grows 2-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide; blooms August-September 

✓ Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (S. rugosa): Native to the eastern U.S.; hardy in zones 4-8; grows 2½-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide; blooms September-October 

• Native range: Varies by species 
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species
• Sun exposure: Most species need full sun but some grow in partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Can grow in any soil with good drainage 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: Late summer (July or August) through early fall (September or October)
• Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: Varies by species; some are shorter than 1 foot while others are up to 6 feet tall; 1-3 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Some species spread aggressively 
• Special features: Reseeds itself; deer-resistant; rarely has disease or pest problems 

8. Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora)

Lemon bee balm, also known as horsemint or lemon mint, produces unusual, showy flower spikes of purple or lavender. Bees and butterflies love this plant, and its citrus scent is refreshing for human visitors to your garden, too. The flowers bloom profusely in bushy clusters. 

• Native range: South and Midwest
• Plant type: Flower 
• Hardiness zones: 2-11
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Well-draining sandy, loamy, clay, or rocky soils 
• Water needs: Somewhat drought-tolerant but shouldn’t dry out completely in summer 
• Bloom time: May through July, sometimes into October 
• Duration: Annual 
• Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, 8-16 inches wide 
• Potential hazards: Can spread aggressively 
• Special features: Lemony fragrance; deer-resistant; rabbit-resistant; reseeds itself 

9. New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Despite its region-specific common name, New England aster is native throughout the U.S. (except Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, and Texas). New England asters are extremely easy to grow, and they’ll quickly form clumps of late-blooming daisy-like flowers in bright purple. 

• Native range: Most of the U.S.
• Plant type: Flower 
• Hardiness zones: 3-8 
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Slightly acidic, moist but well-drained sandy, loamy, clay, or chalky soils 
• Water needs: Prefers consistent moisture 
• Bloom time: August until frost 
• Duration: Perennial 
• Mature size: 1-6 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Can grow aggressively 
• Special features: Fast growers; deer-resistant; rabbit-resistant 

10. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower’s daisy-like blooms of light pinkish-purple are beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike for their long blooming season that begins in spring and continues until the first frost of winter. Purple coneflower spreads quickly because it self-seeds. It tolerates most soil conditions, and it’s renowned for being low-maintenance.

• Native range: Eastern and central U.S.
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 3-8
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade
• Soil preferences: Can grow in any well-draining soil 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant 
• Bloom time: April or May until frost 
• Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: 2-4 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Spreads aggressively 
• Special features: Reseeds itself; fast grower; good cut flowers; salt-tolerant; heat-resistant 

11. Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea)

This little flower on the prairie occurs naturally in much of the central U.S. It does well in drought and heat, and its flowers survive through the most unforgiving part of summer to last until frost. Purple prairie clover’s flowers are bright purple in an upright spike, with a long catkin in the center.

• Native range: Central U.S. 
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 3-8
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil preferences: Can grow in most well-draining soils 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant 
• Bloom time: June or July until frost 
• Duration: Perennial 
• Mature size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: No hazards 
• Special features: Fixes nitrogen; heat-resistant; reseeds itself in ideal conditions

12. Pussy willow (Salix discolor)

Whether you grow it as a shrub-sized plant or ornamental tree, the pussy willow has a graceful appearance, with slender gray-barked trunks and branches that sweep toward the ground in an umbrella shape. 

In late winter or early spring, before leaves emerge, the branches are covered in silvery-white, cottony catkins that attract songbirds, bees, butterflies, and small mammals before most other plants have bloomed. 

Fun fact: The pussy willow gets its name from an old Polish tale in which the willow trees along a riverbank used their trailing branches to save a litter of drowning kittens. According to the legend, that’s where the catkins — soft as kitten fur — come from. 

• Native range: North-central and northeastern U.S.
• Plant type: Shrub or small tree
• Hardiness zones: 4-8 
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Continuously damp soils
• Water needs: Water deeply after a week or more with no rain 
• Bloom time: Early spring, as early as February in warmer climates 
• Foliage: Deciduous 
• Mature size: 6-25 feet tall, 4-25 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Toxic for humans and pets if ingested; can spread aggressively in moist conditions
• Special features: Fast grower 

13. Sages (Salvia spp.)

Sages, often called by their scientific name salvia, are flowering plants in the mint family. Around 60 salvia species are native to North America, and they’re great at bringing in native bees. 

Sage’s bright spike-like blooms come in a variety of colors, from white to blue to lavender to scarlet red. In addition to their ornamental value, many types of sage are used in cooking and smudging, a spiritual cleansing practice. 

Native sage species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ California sage (S. columbariae): Native to the Southwest; hardy in zones 7-10; annual flower; grows up to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide; blue flowers; blooms March-June

✓ Pitcher sage (S. azurea): Native to the eastern and central U.S.; hardy in zones 5-9; perennial shrub-like plant; grows 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide; blue flowers; blooms September-November 

✓ Scarlet sage (S. coccinea): Native to the Southeast coast and Hawaii; hardy in zones 9-10; annual or perennial flower depending on the climate; grows 1-3 feet tall and wide; red flowers; blooms February-October 

• Native range: Varies by species
• Plant type: Shrub or flower depending on the species  
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species 
• Sun exposure: Full sun; species with lighter-colored flowers might need partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Can grow in any well-draining soil 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: Some species begin blooming in spring, some in summer, and some in fall 
• Duration: Some perennial species and some annual; also varies based on climate 
• Mature size: Anywhere from 1-6 feet tall and wide depending on the species 
• Potential hazards: No hazards
• Special features: Fragrant flowers

14. Stonecrops (Sedum spp.)

You’ve almost definitely heard of succulents, which are wildly popular for being low-maintenance and using very little water. Flowering stonecrops are succulents that attract bees. 

There are two main categories of stonecrops, those that grow upright and those that stay low and spread along the ground as ground cover. Upright stonecrops were recently reclassified to the genus Hylotelephium, but most people still refer to them as “sedum.” 

Different species of stonecrops have white, yellow, or pink flowers. 

Native stonecrop species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Nevius’ stonecrop (S. nevii): Native to parts of the Southeast; hardy in zones 3-10; grows in a spreading mat with flower stalks up to 6 inches tall; white flowers; blooms April-June 

✓ Spearleaf stonecrop (S. lanceolatum): Native to the western U.S. and Alaska; hardy in zones 5-9; grows in a spreading mat with flower stalks up to 8 inches tall; yellow flowers; blooms in late spring and summer 

✓ Wild stonecrop (S. ternatum): Native to the East; hardy in zones 4-8; grows in a spreading mat with flower stalks up to 6 inches tall; white flowers; blooms in April-June 

• Native range: Varies by species
• Plant type: Flower or ground cover 
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species 
• Sun exposure: Full sun; some species tolerate partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Well-draining sandy soils without a lot of organic matter 
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant
• Bloom time: Summer; some species start blooming as early as March
• Duration: Some perennial species and some annuals 
• Mature size: Varies by species; from 6 inches-2 feet tall and wide
• Potential hazards: No hazards
• Special features: Tolerates very poor soils; heat-tolerant

15. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)

Familiar sunflowers come in more of a variety than you might think. There are giant species that tower higher than 10 feet tall and small annual species that only grow about a foot tall before dying in winter. All sunflowers have golden yellow blooms, but some of them have an interesting fluffy texture, and some of them feature other colors, too, such as deep red. 

Sunflowers are famously easy to grow and not picky about their growing conditions as long as they get plenty of sunshine. 

Native sunflower species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Common sunflower (H. annuus): Native to the entire U.S.; hardy in zones 2-11; annual; grows 1½ -10 feet tall and 1½- 3 feet wide; large yellow flowers with wide brown center; blooms July-October 

✓ Stone mountain daisy (H. porteri): Native to parts of the Southeast; hardy in zones 7-8; annual; grows in a spreading bush-like habit 1-3½ feet tall with many flowers on each plant; small yellow flowers with a yellowish center; blooms September-November 

✓ Swamp sunflower (H. angustifolius): Native to the eastern U.S. and west to Texas and Oklahoma; hardy in zones 5-9; perennial; grows in clumps of foliage 5-8 feet tall and 2½-4 feet wide with lots of flowers per plant; small yellow flowers with a small brown or black center; blooms from late summer until the first frost 

• Native range: Varies by species
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species
• Sun exposure: Full sun 
• Soil preferences: Well-draining soils high in organic matter  
• Water needs: Need regular watering during the flowering season 
• Bloom time: Summer-early fall 
• Duration: Some perennial species and some annuals 
• Mature size: Varies by species; 1-16 feet tall and 6 inches-3 feet wide
• Potential hazards: Can become weedy 
• Special features: Reseeds itself; some species make good cut flowers

16. Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild geranium, also known as cranesbill, alum root, and spotted geranium, spreads by rhizomes in clumps of foliage and blooms with small, pinkish-purple flowers. It has few pest problems and requires little maintenance. In terms of pollinators, it brings in honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bee species, and syrphid flies (another beneficial insect that helps control common garden pests such as aphids). 

• Native range: Eastern and central U.S.
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: 3-8
• Sun exposure: Partial shade 
• Soil preferences: Moist, well-draining acidic soils rich in organic matter
• Water needs: Needs consistent moisture through summer 
• Bloom time: Blooms for about a month sometime between March and July 
• Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-1½ feet wide 
• Potential hazards: No hazards 
• Special features: Shade-tolerant

17. Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)

Brightly colorful, low-maintenance zinnias are popular with people and pollinators alike. Different species come in a wide range of colors, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They grow quickly, with blooms appearing sometimes as soon as two months after planting. Most zinnias are hybrids created for gardens, but there are also a few native species. 

Native zinnia species for different regions of the U.S.:

✓ Desert zinnia (Z. acerosa): Native to the Southwest; hardy in zones 6-10; grows 4-10 inches tall and 1-3 feet wide; bush-like growth habit with lots of small white flowers; blooms June-August 

✓ Peruvian zinnia (Z. peruviana): Native to parts of the Southeast and Arizona; hardy in zones 3-10; grows up to 3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide; orange flowers; blooms June-November 

✓ Plains zinnia (Z. grandiflora): Native to the Southwest; hardy in zones 4-8; grows 4-8 inches tall and wide; clumping growth habit with lots of yellow flowers; blooms May-October 

• Native range: Varies by species
• Plant type: Flower
• Hardiness zones: Varies by species
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil preferences: Prefer well-draining soils high in organic matter but tolerate most soils 
• Water needs: Can tolerate dry conditions but prefer 1 inch of water per week
• Bloom time: Late spring until frost
• Duration: Annual 
• Mature size: Varies by species; 6 inches-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide 
• Potential hazards: Some species have thorns
• Special features: Reseeds itself; deer-resistant 

More bee-friendly gardening ideas 

Native plants aren’t the only thing that can turn your garden into a bee’s paradise. After planting a garden full of bee-friendly flowers, here’s what else you can do to attract bees to your yard: 

• Use as few pesticides as possible (or none at all)
• Give them a watering hole
• Build bee shelters

Lots of bees will make your garden more successful than ever. Need help making your lawn more successful than ever, too? Lawn Love’s local lawn care pros can take care of lawn mowing, weeding, leaf removal, and other chores for you. 

Main Photo Credit: Pexels | Pixabay