12 Flowers That Attract Bees and Butterflies

Creating a garden that not only looks beautiful but also helps support local wildlife is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a gardener. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are essential for the health of our ecosystems, helping plants reproduce and ensuring the biodiversity of our gardens. If you want to attract more of these vital creatures to your garden, choosing the right flowers is key. In this post, we’ll share some of the best flowers for pollinators that will not only bring color to your garden but also play a crucial role in sustaining the environment.

1. Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender is a beloved flower not only for its beautiful purple blooms and soothing fragrance but also for being a pollinator magnet. Bees, especially honeybees, are particularly attracted to lavender’s abundant nectar. It's an easy-to-grow, drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in full sun, making it perfect for a low-maintenance pollinator-friendly garden.

2. Echinacea (Coneflower)

Coneflowers, with their vibrant, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white, are irresistible to bees and butterflies. Echinacea provides nectar and pollen and blooms for several weeks, providing a long-lasting food source throughout the summer. These hardy perennials are drought-tolerant and grow well in a variety of soil types, making them an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.

3. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Black-eyed Susans are another flower that attracts bees and butterflies with their bright yellow petals and dark centers. These cheerful flowers bloom from midsummer to fall, providing a food source during a critical time for pollinators. Black-eyed Susans are hardy, low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an ideal addition to any garden.

4. Milkweed (Asclepias)

If you're aiming to attract butterflies, especially Monarchs, milkweed is an essential plant. Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed as their host plant, where they lay their eggs and feed on the leaves as caterpillars. The flowers are rich in nectar, drawing in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. There are many varieties of milkweed, and it's known for being drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making it a fantastic option for supporting pollinators.

5. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is an aromatic herb that is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its vibrant, tubular flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, and its strong scent draws in pollinators from far and wide. Bee balm prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun, and it also makes a lovely addition to herb gardens or as a border plant.

6. Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage is an herb with striking blue, star-shaped flowers that are adored by bees. It has a reputation for attracting a variety of pollinators, including honeybees and bumblebees, due to its abundant nectar production. Borage is a hardy, self-seeding plant that grows quickly and thrives in full sun. Plus, the flowers are edible and can be used in salads or as garnishes.

7. Zinnia

Zinnias are vibrant, colorful flowers that attract both bees and butterflies. Their wide range of hues, from bright oranges and reds to purples and pinks, makes them a standout in the garden. Zinnias are easy to grow, especially in areas with full sun, and bloom throughout the summer, providing a constant food source for pollinators. These flowers are particularly loved by butterflies, who are drawn to their flat, open blooms.

8. Sunflowers (Helianthus)

Sunflowers are a classic garden favorite, and they’re also one of the best flowers for attracting pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds are all drawn to the large, showy blooms. Sunflowers produce lots of nectar and pollen, making them a valuable resource for pollinators. Plus, their tall, striking appearance adds height and drama to any garden.

9. Salvia (Sage)

Salvia, particularly varieties like Salvia nemorosa or the more ornamental Salvia ‘May Night,’ is another great plant for attracting pollinators. The tubular flowers are loved by hummingbirds and bees alike, while their colorful spikes of red, purple, or blue flowers create a dramatic, yet welcoming, environment for pollinators. Salvia is easy to grow in well-drained soil and full sun, and it blooms for a long period, often from late spring to early fall.

10. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild bergamot, a member of the mint family, produces beautiful clusters of purple, pink, or lavender flowers that are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The aromatic plant not only provides nectar but also creates a habitat for pollinators to thrive in. It's a hardy perennial that tolerates poor soil and attracts pollinators from early to late summer.

11. Astilbe

Astilbes are shade-loving plants that provide a valuable food source for bees and butterflies in areas that don’t get full sun. These feathery, plume-like flowers bloom in shades of pink, white, purple, and red and attract pollinators throughout their blooming period. Astilbes prefer moist, well-drained soil and are an excellent addition to woodland gardens or shaded areas of your yard.

12. Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Calendula is a beautiful, easy-to-grow flower that attracts both bees and butterflies. Known for its bright yellow and orange blooms, Calendula produces an abundance of nectar and pollen, making it a favorite among pollinators. This flower can thrive in both sun and partial shade and is often used in herb gardens or vegetable plots as a companion plant to help attract beneficial insects.

Attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden isn’t just about picking pretty flowers—it’s about creating a habitat that supports their life cycles and helps them thrive. By choosing plants like lavender, milkweed, coneflowers, and sunflowers, you can provide a diverse and continuous food source for these crucial creatures.

Incorporating a variety of plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season will ensure that pollinators have food year-round. Additionally, try to avoid using chemical pesticides in your garden, as they can harm beneficial insects. With these tips and flowers, you’ll not only enjoy a vibrant, colorful garden but also play a vital role in helping the pollinators that are so important to our ecosystem.

So, roll up your sleeves, plant some pollinator-friendly flowers, and watch your garden buzz with life!