As fall settles over California, bees are hustling to gather enough nectar and pollen for winter survival. Planting late-blooming flowers creates a crucial food bridge for these important pollinators during scarce times.
By adding these fall-flowering plants to your garden, you’ll not only enjoy beautiful blooms when most gardens fade, but you’ll also provide vital sustenance for bees preparing for colder months.
1. California Fuchsia
Bright orange-red tubular blooms dangle like tiny trumpets, calling to bees even as summer fades into fall. Native to California’s dry slopes, this drought-tolerant perennial continues flowering into November.
Hummingbirds adore these blooms too, creating a lively garden scene well into autumn. The plant spreads via underground runners, gradually forming beautiful drifts of gray-green foliage topped with fiery flowers that stand out against the season’s muted palette.
2. Autumn Sage
Vibrant crimson, purple, and pink blooms adorn this aromatic perennial from late summer through the first frost. Bees can’t resist the nectar-rich flowers that appear in flushes throughout fall.
Unlike many garden plants that fade as temperatures drop, Autumn Sage actually intensifies its flowering as days shorten. The drought-tolerant nature makes it perfect for California gardens, while its compact size fits nicely into borders or containers where bees can easily access the blossoms.
3. Coyote Mint
Fluffy purple pom-poms crown this California native, creating an irresistible landing pad for hungry bees. The aromatic foliage releases a refreshing minty scent when brushed against, adding sensory delight to your autumn garden.
Coyote Mint thrives in full sun with minimal water, making it ideal for drought-prone California landscapes. The plant continues blooming into November, providing late-season nectar when bees desperately need fuel for winter survival.
4. Manzanita
Small bell-shaped flowers emerge on this iconic California shrub during late fall and winter, providing crucial nectar when few other plants bloom. The distinctive red bark and evergreen foliage create year-round interest while supporting native bee populations.
Hardy and drought-resistant, manzanitas evolved alongside California’s native bees, creating a perfect ecological partnership. Some varieties bloom as early as November, while others flower through February, bridging the critical hunger gap during winter months.
5. Black-Eyed Susan
Golden petals radiate around chocolate-brown centers, creating sunny splashes of color that persist through fall. Bees buzz with delight around these daisy-like blooms, collecting both nectar and protein-rich pollen.
Easy to grow and adaptable to various conditions, Black-Eyed Susans self-seed readily, ensuring future food sources for bees. The sturdy stems hold flowers high above foliage, making them easily accessible to pollinators and creating a beautiful late-season display that brightens autumn gardens.
6. Mexican Bush Sage
Velvety purple flower spikes create a dramatic autumn display, standing tall against the season’s golden light. The fuzzy blooms appear in September and continue through November, becoming bee magnets when other food sources diminish.
Despite its tropical appearance, Mexican Bush Sage handles California’s dry conditions with grace. The plant forms an impressive 3-4 foot mound covered in flowering spikes, providing abundant nectar for bees preparing for winter while adding architectural interest to the fall garden.
7. California Goldenrod
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause allergies—but it certainly causes excitement among hungry bees! Arching plumes of tiny golden flowers create protein-packed buffets for pollinators from late summer through fall.
This native perennial supports an incredible diversity of bee species with its abundant pollen. The bright yellow blooms light up California gardens when many plants have finished flowering, creating essential food bridges for bees preparing for winter.
8. Toyon
Also known as Christmas Berry or California Holly, Toyon offers a unique two-season support system for bees. Creamy white flower clusters appear in late fall, providing nectar when few other plants bloom.
This native evergreen shrub later develops bright red berries that feed birds through winter. The leathery leaves handle drought with ease, making it perfect for California gardens. Growing up to 15 feet tall, Toyon creates a magnificent focal point while supporting pollinators during critical food shortages.
9. Asters
Starry blooms in purple, pink, and white create a galaxy of color in the autumn garden. Asters begin flowering just when many summer blooms fade, providing critical late-season nectar for bees stocking up for winter.
The daisy-like flowers feature yellow centers packed with pollen, offering complete nutrition for pollinators. California gardeners can choose from several native varieties that thrive with minimal care while supporting local bee populations through the critical fall feeding period.
10. Buckwheat
Clusters of tiny cream-colored flowers transform into russet seed heads, creating visual interest even after blooming ends. California’s native buckwheats support an astonishing diversity of bee species through fall.
These tough native plants thrive in poor soil and drought conditions, making them perfect for sustainable gardens. The long-lasting blooms gradually change color as they age, starting white or pink before developing rusty hues that match autumn’s palette while still providing nectar for late-foraging bees.
11. Blanket Flower
Fiery red and yellow blooms resemble cheerful pinwheels spinning through autumn’s cooler days. Blanket Flowers keep producing these bee-friendly blossoms until the first hard frost, often continuing into December in California’s milder regions.
The daisy-like flowers feature prominent centers packed with pollen, providing complete nutrition for foraging bees. Drought-tolerant and heat-loving, these resilient perennials ask little while giving abundantly to both garden beauty and bee sustenance during critical preparation months.
12. Sunflowers
Late-planted sunflowers reach for the sky in September and October, creating towering bee buffets. The massive flower heads become landing pads for multiple pollinators simultaneously, offering protein-rich pollen and sweet nectar.
California gardeners can select from several native sunflower varieties that naturally bloom into fall. Unlike their larger cousins, these native species produce multiple smaller blooms on branching stems, maximizing nectar production and extending the flowering period when bees need it most.
13. Coneflower
Distinctive raised centers surrounded by drooping petals create perfect landing platforms for busy bees. Though peak bloom occurs in summer, coneflowers continue producing new flowers well into fall, especially when deadheaded regularly.
The seed heads provide winter interest in the garden while supporting birds. Drought-tolerant once established, these prairie natives adapt beautifully to California’s Mediterranean climate, offering reliable late-season nectar for bees while adding architectural interest to autumn gardens.
14. Pitcher Sage
Tall spikes of tubular blue-violet flowers emerge from aromatic gray-green foliage, creating vertical drama in the fall garden. This California native blooms from late summer through November, providing critical nectar during bee preparation months.
Unlike many garden plants, Pitcher Sage actually intensifies flowering as days shorten and temperatures cool. The drought-tolerant nature makes it perfect for water-wise gardens, while its height (up to 5 feet) creates a magnificent backdrop that doubles as a vital refueling station for bees.