Bees are a great way to boost pollination and biodiversity in your garden. While bee numbers are in decline globally, there are steps gardeners can take to help boost the number of bees in their garden with plants that offer the pollen and nectar they seek.
It’s worth noting that there are many different bee species, and they all prefer different flowers. Some long tongue bees seek out tubular flowers like foxgloves, while other short tongue bees prefer more open flowers for easier access.
Read on to learn more about the best flowers to attract bees to your garden, from bright and bold sunflowers to irresistible herbs.
Sunflowers
It’s no surprise that beautiful bright sunflowers are a favourite amongst bees. The colourful petals attract pollinators and are rich in nectar and pollen. Their open shape also makes them easy to access. Plant them in early spring, so they can bloom in summer and attract plenty of bees.
Lavender
Bees can’t resist the aroma of these flowers, and we don’t blame them! A member of the mint family, vibrant purple lavender is a great source of nectar and smells wonderful, so you’ll find this flower in gardens for lots of reasons. Plant lavender after the last frost so it can start to bloom late spring into summer. A treat for you and the bees!
Foxgloves
Blooming late-spring to summer, foxgloves are favoured by bees as they are a great source of nectar. However, be warned – these tubular flowers are toxic to humans and animals, so handle them with care and keep them well away from pets.
Thyme
This herb is another favourite with bees, thanks to the fact it’s a rich source of nectar and pollen. Thyme becomes a staple during the summer months, and depending on the variety and time of year, can sometimes be found blooming in purple which is also very attractive to pollinators.
Achillea
Achillea, also known as yarrow, with their flowerheads made up of tiny, delicate flowers, attract bees and pollinators. Appearing in May right through to the autumn months, these colourful flowers with their flat features make a great landing spot for bees.
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks not only provide a great source of nectar for a variety of bees, they can grow to up to 2m tall making them perfect for attracting pollinators. They’re listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators’ guide, which is reviewed and approved by RHS scientists.
Cosmos
Another flower in the Asteraceae family, pretty cosmos are great for attracting bees to your garden. They are easy to grow, so don’t require a huge amount of work on your part, and you can guarantee they’ll attract plenty of bees as they flower through the summer months well into autumn. They are a firm favourite with pollinators thanks to their large, flat features which are ideal for landing on. They also come in a variety of bright and striking colours, such as pink, yellow and orange and have an open structure which gives bees easy access to the nectar.
Orchids
Like other flowers, bee orchids use pseudocopulation to lure male bees. They do this by mimicking the shape and scent of female bees, with slightly furry flowers to attract males in. Once the male bee attempts to mate with the orchid, it picks up some of the pollen and then flies off depositing it so other flowers can reproduce.
