Many gardeners plant flowers hoping to attract bees and butterflies, but not all so-called ‘pollinator-friendly’ plants deliver on their promise. Some popular garden favorites actually offer little nectar or pollen, while others have been bred for looks rather than bee benefits.
I used to think anything with bright petals was good for bees—turns out, I was wrong more than once. My garden looked pretty, but the pollinators weren’t exactly throwing a party there.
Garden centers often market plants based on their appearance rather than ecological value. Those showy blooms might catch your eye (and your wallet), but many won’t catch a bee’s interest. Let’s separate the truly helpful from the merely decorative.
1. Double-Flowered Sunflowers
Those fluffy, pom-pom sunflowers may look impressive in bouquets, but they’re practically useless to bees. Plant breeders have modified these flowers to produce extra petals instead of pollen-rich centers, effectively eliminating their food value.
The dense petals make it physically impossible for bees to access whatever little nectar might remain. My neighbor’s garden border filled with these showstoppers sat eerily quiet while my single-flowered varieties buzzed with activity.
The irony is that regular sunflowers are pollinator powerhouses. If you’re growing for pollinators rather than cut flowers, always check the package for words like “single-flowered” or “open-pollinated.”
2. Hybrid Tea Roses
Walk past most hybrid tea roses and you’ll notice something strange—almost no bees. These classic garden favorites have been bred for perfect blooms and disease resistance at the expense of nectar and pollen production.
Many modern varieties have little scent, a sign they’re not producing the compounds that attract pollinators. The tight, formal flowers also make it difficult for bees to access whatever nectar might be available.
After replacing three of my hybrid teas with old-fashioned varieties, the difference was immediately noticeable. Bees appeared within days, proving that not all roses are created equal when it comes to supporting wildlife.
3. Double Impatiens
Double impatiens create a splash of color in shady spots, but they’re virtually worthless to pollinators. Their overlapping petals form barriers that make accessing nectar nearly impossible for bees and butterflies.
These flowers represent a perfect example of how breeding for human preferences can eliminate wildlife value. Originally, impatiens had simple, open flowers that welcomed small pollinators.
For years I planted these doubles in my porch containers, thinking I was helping wildlife. Switching to single-flowered varieties or native alternatives like wild columbine made an immediate difference in pollinator visits, even in those same shady locations.
4. Petunias
Despite their ubiquity in garden centers, most modern petunias offer surprisingly little to pollinators. The trumpet-shaped blooms look like they should be pollinator magnets, but many varieties have been bred for enhanced colors and patterns rather than nectar production.
Long-tubed varieties pose another problem—the nectar sits too deep for most bees to reach. Only certain moths and hummingbirds with long proboscises can access it.
Last summer, I replaced my petunia hanging baskets with calibrachoa and native lobelia. The difference was striking—from almost no visitors to a constant stream of bees and even the occasional hummingbird.
5. Tulips
Tulips signal spring’s arrival, but they’re surprisingly poor pollinator plants. Most modern varieties provide minimal nectar and pollen, especially the fancy double types with extra petals.
Their early bloom time also means they often flower before many native bees emerge. When I monitored my tulip beds for an entire season, I counted fewer than five bee visits despite dozens of open blooms.
The smooth, upright petals don’t provide good landing pads for insects either. If you love tulips, consider planting them alongside early-blooming, pollinator-friendly companions like crocus, hyacinth, or native spring ephemerals that will actually feed the early bees.
6. Knock Out Roses
Knock Out roses revolutionized landscaping with their disease resistance and non-stop blooming, but they’re not the pollinator paradise you might expect. These roses were bred primarily for landscape performance and disease resistance, not for ecological value.
The flowers typically contain fewer stamens and produce less pollen than old garden roses or native rose species. Many gardeners (myself included) planted these workhorses thinking we were helping wildlife, only to notice how few bees they actually attract.
If you want roses that truly support pollinators, consider old-fashioned varieties, rugosa roses, or native wild roses—all of which produce more accessible pollen and nectar.
7. Modern Hybrid Marigolds
Marigolds have a reputation as garden workhorses, but modern varieties often disappoint in the pollinator department. Many newer hybrids have been bred for huge, showy blooms with dense layers of petals that block access to the central reproductive parts.
French marigolds typically do better than the large African varieties. After growing both side by side in my vegetable garden as companion plants, I was surprised to see how the smaller, more open-centered French varieties buzzed with bees while the fancy doubles sat virtually untouched.
If you’re planting marigolds for pest control and pollinator support, look for single-flowered open varieties or heirloom types that haven’t had their wildlife value bred out.
8. Gerbera Daisies
Gerbera daisies make stunning cut flowers but provide surprisingly little for pollinators. Modern varieties have been extensively hybridized for bigger, more colorful blooms at the expense of nectar and pollen production.
The central disc flowers—where the nectar and pollen should be—have often been modified into additional petals in many cultivars. When I planted a border of these colorful blooms expecting a pollinator party, I instead got a quiet display that looked great in photos but did little for local wildlife.
For similar visual impact with actual ecological benefits, consider planting coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, or native asters instead. Their accessible centers provide food for dozens of pollinator species.
9. Zonal Geraniums
Common zonal geraniums brighten patios everywhere, but they’re surprisingly ineffective at supporting pollinators. These plants (actually Pelargoniums) have been bred for continuous blooming and heat tolerance rather than nectar production.
Their tight flower clusters often contain modified blooms with reduced reproductive parts. I maintained a window box of these for years, enjoying their reliable color while never questioning why they attracted almost no insects.
The scent that geraniums produce actually repels many insects—great for pest management but counterproductive for pollinator support. If you want container plants that actually feed bees, consider native alternatives like penstemons, salvias, or compact varieties of agastache.
10. Native Bee Balm
Bee balm lives up to its name with nectar-rich tubular flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in droves. The native Monarda species offer specialized landing platforms perfect for bumblebees, while their abundant nectar feeds a variety of pollinators.
Unlike many ornamentals, bee balm hasn’t had its wildlife value diminished through excessive breeding. The plant’s aromatic foliage even seems to help bees locate the flowers from a distance.
After adding just three bee balm plants to my perennial border, I counted five different pollinator species within the first week. Choose native varieties like wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) for maximum ecological benefits.
11. Coneflowers
Coneflowers exemplify how native plants effortlessly support local wildlife. Their distinctive raised centers serve as perfect landing pads and feeding stations for dozens of bee species, while later providing seeds for birds.
Unlike many cultivated flowers, coneflowers maintain their wildlife value even after breeding for different colors. The sturdy stems allow even larger bees to land and feed comfortably.
My garden’s purple coneflowers host a fascinating progression of visitors throughout the season—first bees and butterflies on the fresh blooms, then goldfinches on the seedheads. For maximum ecological benefits, choose the native purple coneflower or pale purple coneflower rather than heavily modified cultivars.
12. Anise Hyssop
Anise hyssop quietly outperforms many showier garden plants in terms of pollinator support. The spikes of tiny lavender flowers might seem modest, but they pack an incredible nectar punch that attracts bees by the dozens.
Unlike many cultivated plants, anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) produces nectar continuously throughout its long blooming period. The licorice-scented foliage seems to act as an additional attractant for many beneficial insects.
When I replaced a struggling patch of hybrid tea roses with anise hyssop, the area transformed from a pollinator desert to a buzzing hotspot within weeks. This adaptable native perennial thrives in average soil and tolerates both drought and partial shade.
13. Goldenrod
Goldenrod suffers from an undeserved bad reputation as an allergy trigger, when it’s actually ragweed (which blooms at the same time) causing those symptoms. This native powerhouse supports over 100 bee species and countless butterflies with its abundant late-season nectar.
Modern compact varieties like ‘Fireworks’ or ‘Little Lemon’ fit neatly into garden settings while maintaining their wildlife value. The timing of goldenrod’s bloom is especially critical, providing essential fuel for migrating monarchs and bees preparing for winter.
After adding goldenrod to my fall garden, I was amazed at the diversity of pollinators it attracted—species I’d never seen on any other plant in my yard. For maximum benefit, plant it in groups rather than as isolated specimens.
14. Catmint
Catmint offers nearly non-stop pollinator support from late spring through fall, making it one of the hardest-working plants in a bee-friendly garden. The lavender-blue flower spikes attract primarily bees, with some varieties drawing dozens of species.
Unlike many ornamentals, catmint (Nepeta) provides both nectar and pollen in accessible quantities. The drought tolerance and deer resistance make it practical as well as beneficial.
My front walkway planting of ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint buzzes from morning until dusk, with different bee species taking turns throughout the day. For maximum wildlife benefit, avoid cutting back the first flush of blooms entirely—instead, trim just a portion to encourage fresh flowers while maintaining some for immediate feeding.
15. Native Asters
Native asters deliver critical late-season support when many pollinators are preparing for winter. Their simple, daisy-like flowers with accessible centers provide both pollen and nectar when few other plants are blooming.
Unlike many fall-blooming ornamentals, asters evolved alongside native bees, creating perfect ecological matches. Species like New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) support dozens of specialist bee species that can use few other plants.
The timing of aster blooms helps bumblebee queens fatten up before hibernation and provides fuel for migrating butterflies. Even a small patch of native asters can significantly extend your garden’s ecological service season into late fall.
16. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm might be better known for tea, but bees recognize it as premium forage. This herb produces nectar-rich flowers that attract a surprising diversity of pollinators, from tiny sweat bees to larger bumblebees.
Unlike many cultivated plants, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has maintained its wildlife value despite centuries of cultivation. The name “Melissa” actually comes from the Greek word for “honeybee,” reflecting its historical importance to beekeepers.
My small patch of lemon balm draws more consistent bee visitors than plants many times its size. Even when allowed to naturalize at the garden’s edge, it provides ecological benefits that far outweigh any concerns about its spreading habit. Regular harvesting for culinary use actually promotes more flowering.