Bees like a variety of flowers in their gardens, and bluebells are one of the best plants for bees. Bluebells are great because they produce nectar, which attracts pollinating insects. Not only do bluebells look beautiful in spring, but they are also easy to grow. Rosemary is also popular with bees, thanks to its light fragrance. These herbs also make great bee habitats because they are easy to grow.
Blue coneflower
A good choice for attracting bees is a native flower, blue coneflower. It is long-blooming, sweetly fragrant, and a great source of nectar. Blue coneflower is also one of the first plants to bloom in the fall, which makes it an excellent late-season source of nectar. Blue coneflower is also one of the few flowers that can attract both bees and hummingbird moths.
Several native flowering plants attract bees because of their high pollen content. Catmint is a great choice to replace lavender in your garden, as it produces more flowers when deadheaded. Hellebores are also good choices for spring nectar, though you might need to make them a permanent fixture in your garden. You can also plant apples, peaches, and apricots, which all produce blooms in early spring. Another good plant for bees is blackthorn.
Goldenrod
Pollinators like to find flowers that can attract bees. Goldenrod is one of the best plants to attract bees because it can grow up to two feet high, making it an excellent plant for barren areas. Its flowers also attract many types of pollinators, including honeybees, bumblebees, and wasps. Learn more about these species by visiting the NWF Wildlife Gardener.
Goldenrods are an indispensable source of pollen and nectar for bees during the fall, and more than 115 species of butterflies depend on them for food and shelter. In addition, goldenrods provide food and shelter to 11 native species of bees. Goldenrod flowers also provide food for many birds, and their seed heads are excellent sources of nutrition in winter. Listed below are some tips on growing goldenrod to attract bees.
Chives
Bees love chives, a perennial plant that provides nectar early in the season. Chives are easy to grow in any area and are incredibly useful in cooking. They even make great chive-infused butter. They’re inexpensive and a great companion plant for vegetables and other herbs. Chives are also beneficial to bees as a natural insect repellent.
In addition to attracting bees, they provide a delicious treat for people to enjoy. The flowering stems and leaves of chives are edible. They grow well in poor soils and regular water. These plants are easy to grow from seeds in most climates, and they are low maintenance. While they are best grown in full sun, they can tolerate some shade and will grow well in a variety of soil conditions. They can also be grown in containers.
Ox-eye daisy
An ox-eye daisy is a perennial plant that attracts a variety of pollinating insects to your garden. It blooms from May to September and features many tiny flowers containing nectar. Bees are attracted to these flowers and use them to pollinate other plants. This flower was named after the ancient Greek word leucanthemum, meaning white. The flower’s fuzzy hairs help it pick up pollen, and bees prefer flowers with white or yellow blooms.
The bloom of the ox-eye daisy resembles that of a typical Daisy. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and is second only to the Orchid in size. The ox-eye daisy’s flowers are similar to those of a typical Daisy, but are almost three times bigger. Bees will flock to this flower because of its pollen.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is one of the best plants to attract bees because it has an abundance of nectar on its leaves. Hibiscus produces extrafloral nectaries, which are not to be confused with the sticky excretions of aphids. These nectaries are located along the edges of the leaves and at the junction where the stem and leaf meet. This nectar helps attract and feed predatory insects, including bees and hummingbirds. These insects are the best defenses against mites and sap suckers.
Because hibiscus needs light to photosynthesize, you can’t leave it out in the cold. Any light is better than none. Some hibiscus have survived winter under shop-type fluorescent lights. This way, they didn’t die. In Sweden, people have even managed to grow them under artificial lights. If you want to attract bees to your home, you can plant hibiscus in your greenhouse or in your garage.
Marjoram
The most obvious reason to plant marjoram in your garden is the delicious flavor it provides. This herb has a long history of attracting bees and is a popular addition to Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Although it doesn’t have the aromatic fragrance of oregano, it is still considered one of the best plants for bees. If you’re wondering how to grow marjoram in your garden, read on.
The lavender plant is a bee-friendly plant. According to a study by the University of Sussex, lavender flowers of highly-bred varieties are the most attractive to honeybees. Other plants that attract bees include blue borage, also known as starflower. Blue borage is a medicinal herb with edible flowers and leaves. In addition to lavender, other bee-friendly plants include chives, marjoram, and thyme.
Black-eyed susan
The black-eyed susan is an excellent choice for your garden because it attracts many different types of pollinators. The nectar in the center of the flower tube attracts longer-tongued pollinators, while short-tongued insects forage for protein-rich pollen on the anthers. Bees will love the nectar-rich flower, which belongs to the Compositae family – the largest group of flowering plants on Earth.
Although Black-eyed Susans are not perennials, they can be sown as annuals. They grow best in average soil with full sun. They can also grow in partial shade. They tolerate heat, drought, and a wide range of soils, except for very wet areas. They are easy to grow and can be directly sown, but need to be deadheaded after blooming to encourage additional blooms. They make wonderful additions to a meadow or naturalized garden. They’re also a good choice for container gardens. They’re perfect for bees, but aren’t edible for us.
Hibiscus nectar
Bees love the taste of hibiscus because the plant provides them with a wide variety of nectar. Hibiscus blooms can grow in almost any type of light, including weak fluorescent light. However, if you are concerned about the pests, you should treat your hibiscus plants with some pesticide or some other way to discourage the insects. Hibiscus nectar is one of the best plants for bees, so you should consider giving it a try.
Hibiscus flowers have nectaries located inside the calyx and beneath the ovary. While nectar is mainly composed of natural sugars, some varieties contain volatile chemicals that attract pollinators. Some varieties have a fragrance that wafts through the air when the flower is open, which also attracts the pollinators. The bright color and size of the flowers also attract the attention of pollinators.
Purple coneflower
The flower called purple coneflower is an excellent choice for attracting bees. It pumps out nectar throughout the day, making it a more effective pollinator than other flowers. It attracts butterflies and moths, as well as a dozen species of native bees. Bees will feed on its nectar, so be sure to plant it near your flower beds. The plant is also a great host for silvery checkerspot butterfly caterpillars.
You can buy a seedling of purple coneflower in most garden centers. This plant is low maintenance and will not require much fertilizer. It grows to a height of two to five feet. You can plant it in full sun or partial shade. Make sure to water it well until it has established itself. Keep away from other plants and flowers that can suffocate it. Purple coneflower can tolerate a few hours of shade.
Lantana
Lantanas are a good choice for the pollinator garden because they attract both butterflies and bees. Lantanas prefer full sun, but they also appreciate afternoon shade. In zones seven and eight, planting lantana in the fall is a good option. If you live in a zone that gets heavy freezes during the winter, you should mulch the plants heavily.
Lantanas are native to tropical ecosystems and grow well in many different climates. They grow best in hot, dry climates and are easy to maintain. They are even hardy enough to be planted outdoors in Nebraska after the danger of frost has passed. Lantanas have few insect problems and are not eaten by rabbits or deer. They do not attract pests.