19 Flowers for Bees | Best Plants for Bees

Bees are one of the most important pollinators on the planet and if you’re someone who loves them, then you can grow Flowers for Bees to attract them!

Bees feed on the nectar and pollen of the flowers, and that helps in the cross-pollination between the flowers by spreading the pollen from one to another. Here is the list of Flowers for Bees that will make them visit your garden every day!

List of Flowers for Bees

1. Sunflower / Surajmukhi

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus

The central head of sunflower lures the bees like none other. It’s wiser to grow a couple of sunflowers together, as bees collect nectars from flower to flower, causing cross-pollination between them.

2. Marigold / Genda

Botanical Name: Tagetes

There goes a big controversy regarding marigold attract or repel bees. In reality, marigold repels some pests and attract beneficial pollinators like honeybees, thanks to its strong scent and rich nectar.

3. Rose / Gulab

Botanical Name: Rosa

Not all roses attract bees, but the ones with single petals do, as their tuft of stamens is quite visible. Rosa rugosa and Rosa bracteata are some of the best varieties.

4. Lantana / Raimunia

Botanical Name: Lantana camara

One of the bees’ favorite flowers, Lantana features a cluster of tiny flowers in an array of purple, yellow, white, and pink shades and attracts bees with sweet nectar, intoxicating scent, and appealing colors.

5. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula

The mesmerizing fragrance of the lilac hued lavender invites bees and flies even from the miles away. Compared to other bees, bumblebees love lavender most.

6. Dandelion / Dudhal

Botanical Name: Taraxacum

Bees and hoverflies love to feast upon this bee-friendly flower, as it is rich in nectar and pollen both. Since the flower is composed of numerous florets, it offers a huge source of pollens.

7. Hibiscus / Gudhal

Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Bees are fond of Hibiscus nectar as it is very sweet to make honey and hive. The trumpet-shaped flower appears in a wide color spectrum, ranging from lavender, red, pink, to purple-blue.

8. Passionflower / Krishnakamal

Botanical Name: Passiflora

The bright and heavy pollen of passionflower attracts honeybees like anything! The showy, purple flower is admired for its exotic floral pattern that adds stunning visuals to the landscape too!

9. Snapdragon

Botanical Name: Antirrhinum

Bees are most susceptible to get attracted by blue and yellow colors, making snapdragon one of their favorite. Apart from the color, snapdragon draws bees by releasing four times more fragrance than others. .

10. Borage

Botanical Name: Borago officinalis

The addition of blue-violet borage in the garden turns it into a paradise for honeybees and bumblebees. Moreover, borage has been grown for increasing honey production for ages.

11. Arabian Jasmine / Mogra

Botanical Name: Jasminum sambac

The white to cream flowers, with waxy petals, is the pride of Indian gardens thanks to its delightful scent. Though it unfurls during night time, its fragrance invites certain bees and moths for pollination.

12. Monarda / Beebalm

Botanical Name: Monarda didyma

As the name hints, the fragrant beebalm is always accompanied by the hovering of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The daisy-like, open flower of Monarda has tubular and lacy petals that vary in color.

13. Butterfly Bush

Botanical Name: Buddleja

The slender panicles covered with vivid blooms draw butterflies and bees attention. Appearing in summer, and spring, the bloom also adds appeal to the landscape through its wide color range of colors.

14. Salvia

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

The spikes of salvia bear nector-rich purple blossoms that emit delightful fragrance, so as to invite bumblebees, honeybees, native bees, and even wasps for pollination.

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Annual Flowers for Bees

15. Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus

Showcasing a wide spectrum of colors, cosmos features lacy petals arranged in an open cup shape, making it easier for bees to spot pollen. Flowering throughout the summers, it invites bees and butterflies, both.

16. Sedum

Botanical Name: Hylotelephium spectabile

Thanks to its charming hues, and low growing tendency, it is mostly used as a ground cover. Autumn Joy Sedum, and Album Superbum, are the best varieties to attract honeybees.

17. Shasta Daisy

Botanical Name: Leucanthemum × superbum

Thanks to its pollen-rich, bright yellow eye, shasta daisy draws a multitude of bees in the landscapes. The daisy-like, semi-double flower features milky white petals that complement the yellow disc florets.