Sunflowers may get all the glory, but when it comes to true bee appeal, they’ve got some serious competition. These 18 flowers are absolute bee magnets—bursting with nectar, color, and pollen-rich power that pollinators can’t resist.
If you want to turn your garden into a buzzing paradise, these blooms are your best bet.
1. Lavender
Bees go absolutely crazy for lavender’s sweet smell and rich nectar. The purple spikes bloom throughout summer, offering a long-lasting feast for hungry pollinators.
Lavender thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Once established, it doesn’t need much water, making it perfect for dry gardens.
Beyond attracting bees, lavender’s calming scent can help you relax too. Plant it along pathways where brushing against it releases its wonderful fragrance.
2. Borage
Star-shaped blue flowers hang like little bells from borage plants, creating an irresistible landing pad for bees. The downward-facing blooms protect precious nectar from rain, ensuring bees always find a reward.
Growing up to 3 feet tall, borage reseeds itself easily. The fuzzy leaves and stems give this plant a distinctive look in any garden.
Fun fact: borage flowers are edible and taste like cucumber! Add them to summer drinks or freeze in ice cubes for a beautiful garnish.
3. Bee Balm
Named for its incredible bee-attracting powers, bee balm features shaggy, crown-like flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. The unique shape allows bees to easily land and access the sweet nectar inside.
Members of the mint family, these plants spread through underground runners. Give them space to grow or plant in containers to control their enthusiasm.
Hummingbirds and butterflies also love bee balm, making it a triple threat for pollinator gardens. The fragrant leaves can be dried for tea.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Bees flock to coneflowers for their raised central cone packed with nectar and pollen. The daisy-like petals in purple, pink, or white droop downward, framing the tasty center like a spotlight.
Tough and drought-resistant, coneflowers bloom from midsummer through fall. Leave the seed heads standing after flowering for birds to enjoy during winter.
Native to North American prairies, these plants have deep roots that help them survive harsh conditions. Their medicinal properties have been used for centuries to boost immunity.
5. Catnip
Not just for feline friends, catnip’s tiny white or lavender flowers drive bees wild with excitement! The abundant blooms appear on tall spikes above aromatic gray-green foliage.
Catnip grows quickly and can reach 3-4 feet tall. Consider planting it in containers if you’re worried about it spreading too much in your garden.
Part of the mint family, catnip is super easy to grow in sunny spots. Harvest some leaves for your cat, but leave plenty of flowers for the bees to enjoy throughout summer.
6. Anise Hyssop
Spikes of tiny purple-blue flowers make anise hyssop a bee magnet from midsummer through fall. Bees can’t resist the licorice-scented nectar that gives this plant its name.
Tall and upright, anise hyssop adds vertical interest to gardens. The leaves smell amazing when crushed and can be used to make a soothing tea.
Native to the Midwest, this hardy perennial handles poor soil and drought like a champ. Plant several together for a stunning purple patch that will buzz with bee activity.
7. Catmint
Waves of lavender-blue flowers cover catmint plants for months, creating a bee buffet that keeps them coming back for more. Unlike its cousin catnip, catmint won’t drive your cats crazy but will drive bees wild!
Low-growing varieties make excellent border plants, while taller types add soft color to the middle of flower beds. The gray-green foliage looks attractive even when not in bloom.
Extremely heat and drought tolerant, catmint thrives with minimal care. Cut back after the first flowering to encourage a second round of blooms.
8. Lemon Balm
Small clusters of white flowers might not look impressive to us, but bees can spot lemon balm from far away. The citrusy scent acts like a bee magnet, drawing pollinators from all directions.
A member of the mint family, lemon balm spreads enthusiastically. Plant it in containers or give it space to roam where you don’t mind it taking over.
Beyond attracting bees, the lemony leaves make delicious tea and add flavor to dishes. Crushing a leaf between your fingers releases an uplifting scent that can brighten any day.
9. Oregano
Let your oregano flower and watch the bees arrive in droves! Tiny pink or purple blooms appear on tall stems above the familiar herb leaves, creating a bee paradise in summer.
Growing oregano for bees means being a bit less diligent about harvesting. Allow patches to flower freely while harvesting from others for cooking.
Hardy and drought-resistant, flowering oregano requires almost no care. The aromatic leaves repel many garden pests while the flowers feed beneficial insects – a win-win for organic gardeners.
10. Asters
Fall-blooming asters provide critical late-season food for bees preparing for winter. The daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, or white offer both pollen and nectar when most other plants have finished flowering.
Available in heights from 1-6 feet, there’s an aster perfect for any spot in your garden. Native varieties are especially valuable for supporting local bee populations.
Plant asters where they’ll receive morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates. Pinch back stems before July to create bushier plants with more flowers for hungry bees.
11. Goldenrod
Bright yellow plumes of goldenrod flowers become bee highways in late summer and fall. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause hay fever – that’s ragweed’s fault!
Native goldenrods support over 100 bee species. The tall stalks add golden color to gardens when many other plants have finished blooming for the season.
Some gardeners worry goldenrod will take over, but newer garden varieties stay well-behaved. Plant them at the back of borders where their height (3-5 feet) creates a beautiful backdrop for shorter flowers.
12. Thyme
Tiny pink or purple thyme flowers might look small to us, but they’re perfect landing pads for honeybees and smaller native bees. When in full bloom, thyme plants buzz with activity from dawn till dusk.
Creeping varieties form aromatic carpets that release their scent when stepped on. Upright types make attractive, bee-friendly borders for vegetable gardens.
Extremely drought-tolerant once established, thyme thrives in poor soil and hot conditions. Plant it between stepping stones or in rock gardens where other plants might struggle.
13. Russian Sage
Clouds of tiny lavender-blue flowers cover Russian sage from midsummer through fall. The airy appearance creates a beautiful backdrop while providing endless bee food.
Despite its delicate look, Russian sage laughs at drought, poor soil, and intense heat. The silvery foliage adds interest even when the plant isn’t flowering.
Growing 3-5 feet tall and wide, give this plant plenty of space. Its deep roots help it survive tough conditions while the aromatic leaves deter deer and rabbits from munching.
14. Joe-Pye Weed
Massive pink flower clusters on Joe-Pye weed create a bee paradise in late summer. Growing up to 7 feet tall, these native plants become covered with honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies.
Despite the “weed” in its name, Joe-Pye is actually a valuable native plant. The vanilla-scented flowers appear when many other plants have finished blooming for the season.
Plant Joe-Pye in moist areas of your garden – it loves spots that stay a bit damp. Shorter varieties are available if the full-size plant is too large for your space.
15. Salvia
Spikes of tubular flowers make salvias irresistible to bees, who expertly navigate the blooms to reach the nectar inside. Available in shades of purple, blue, red, and pink, there’s a salvia for every garden style.
Many salvias bloom from early summer until frost with minimal care. The aromatic leaves deter deer and rabbits while attracting beneficial insects.
From tiny 12-inch varieties to 5-foot giants, salvias fit anywhere in the garden. Plant different types together for a long-lasting display that keeps bees well-fed throughout the growing season.
16. Mint
Allow mint to flower and watch bees arrive by the dozens! The small white or purple blooms might not look impressive to us, but they’re packed with nectar bees can’t resist.
Since mint spreads aggressively, grow it in containers to prevent garden takeovers. This actually works well for bee viewing – place pots near seating areas to watch pollinators up close.
With many varieties available – peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, apple mint – you can create a diverse bee buffet. Harvest leaves for tea and cooking but leave the flowers for your buzzing friends.
17. Chives
Round purple pom-pom flowers make chives as ornamental as they are tasty. Bees absolutely love these perfect landing pads filled with easily accessible nectar.
Growing in tidy clumps, chives work beautifully in herb gardens, flower borders, or containers. The edible flowers have a mild onion flavor that adds color and taste to summer salads.
Plant chives near vegetables that need pollination, like cucumbers and squash. The flowers will draw bees to help pollinate your food crops while providing you with fresh herbs all season long.
18. Cosmos
Daisy-like cosmos flowers with their bright yellow centers act like bee billboards saying “food here!” The simple, open shape gives bees easy access to pollen and nectar.
Growing quickly from seed, cosmos bloom within weeks of planting. The feathery foliage adds a delicate texture to gardens while the flowers dance on tall stems above.
Available in white, pink, red, and orange, cosmos keep flowering until frost if you remove spent blooms. They reseed easily, so you’ll likely have volunteers popping up next year with no effort.