Welcome bees to the garden
The gentle buzz of busy bees is one of the signature sounds of the garden. Those bees are hard at work visiting flowers and collecting pollen to make each plant more productive. About 75% of all the fruits, nuts and veggies we eat in this country depend on bees for pollination.
Add plants bees love
So welcome bees to your garden by growing some of their favorite flowering plants. They’re attracted by both sight and smell, and certain bee species are attracted to certain flower shapes. Plant a variety of plants to get a mix of buzzing visitors.
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6 Plants for bees
Scroll ahead to find six plants for your garden that bees love — and we love, too!
Allium (Allium spp. and hybrids)
Type Bulb Blooms Many flower colors Light Full sun Size 6 to 60 in. tall, 6 to 15 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
Ligularia (Ligularia spp. and hybrids)
Type Perennial Blooms Yellow Light Full sun Size 1 to 3 ft. tall, 1 to 2 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
Yarrow (Achillea spp. and hybrids)
Type Perennial Blooms Many flower colors Light Full sun Size 18 to 48 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 10, heat-tolerant in AHS zones 10 to 1
Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Type Shrub Blooms Blue flowers Light Full sun Size 2 to 3 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9
Weigela (Weigela florida)
Type Shrub Blooms Pink or white flowers Light Full sun Size 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9
Agastache (Agastache spp. and hybrids)
Type Perennial Blooms many flower colors Light full sun Size 16 to 48 in. tall, 10 to 48 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 10, heat-tolerant in AHS zones 12 to 1