20 Flowers That Draw Bees and Butterflies All Season (Native and Non-Native Picks)
Discover 20 proven flowers that attract bees and butterflies, with bloom times, USDA zones, and the pollination science behind why each one works.
A 2024 study published in PLOS ONE found that all four major bee and butterfly families are declining across western North America. NatureServe puts the number sharper: 34.7% of native bee species now face elevated extinction risk. Meanwhile, honeybees alone pollinate $15 billion worth of US crops each year, from almonds to zucchini.
Your garden can push back against those numbers. The 20 flowers below were chosen not just because pollinators visit them, but because the science explains why they visit them—flower shape, nectar chemistry, pollen structure, and bloom timing all play a role. Each entry includes USDA hardiness zones, bloom period, and the specific bees or butterflies it supports, so you can build a garden that feeds pollinators from the first warm days of spring through the final weeks of fall.
If you are building a dedicated pollinator garden, this list pairs directly with our pollinator plants by season guide for month-by-month planning.
20 Flowers That Bring Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Zones 5–9 | Bloom: June–August | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies
Lavender dominates every pollinator plant list for good reason: its dense flower spikes pack hundreds of tiny tubular florets perfectly sized for honeybee tongues. The high concentration of linalool and linalyl acetate in the nectar acts as a chemical beacon—bees detect these volatiles from several meters away. Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. Munstead and Hidcote are the two hardiest English cultivars for northern gardens. For a deep dive into cultivar selection and growing conditions, see our complete lavender growing guide.
2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Zones 3–9 | Bloom: June–October | Attracts: monarchs, painted ladies, swallowtails, honeybees, bumblebees
The flat, wide cone of echinacea works like a landing pad—butterflies can perch and probe the hundreds of tiny disk florets for nectar without burning energy hovering. Monarchs, painted ladies, and swallowtails visit reliably, and it doubles as a host plant for silvery checkerspot butterfly larvae. The bloom period stretches four months when you deadhead spent cones, giving you one of the longest pollinator feeding windows of any perennial. Our echinacea growing guide covers soil prep and division timing.
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3. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Zones 3–8 | Bloom: July–September | Attracts: bumblebees, hummingbirds, butterflies
The tubular florets of bee balm are arranged in dense whorls that force pollinators to brush against both stamens and stigma as they push inward for nectar. This structure favors long-tongued bumblebees and hummingbirds—short-tongued bees mostly skip it. The aromatic foliage (bee balm is in the mint family) releases volatile oils that attract pollinators even before they see the flower. Choose mildew-resistant cultivars like Jacob Cline or Raspberry Wine. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in part shade to full sun.
You might also find blueberries in Texas helpful here.
4. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Annual, all zones | Bloom: July–September | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees, native solitary bees
Research published in Scientific Reports found that sunflower pollen reduces the gut parasite Crithidia bombi in bumblebees. The pollen’s spiny outer shell physically irritates the bee’s gut lining, flushing parasites out before they can establish. Field surveys confirmed it: bumblebees foraging on farms with more sunflower acreage carried lower parasite loads. Plant open-pollinated varieties (not pollenless hybrids marketed for cut flowers) to preserve this benefit. A single row of Mammoth Russian or Autumn Beauty along a fence line produces both pollen and nectar from midsummer through frost.
5. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Zones 4–8 | Bloom: May–July | Attracts: bumblebees (primary), long-tongued bees
Foxglove uses a pollination trick called protandry: the lowest flowers on each spike mature first as female, while the upper flowers are still shedding pollen as males. When a bumblebee enters at the bottom and works upward—drawn by the spotted nectar guides inside each bell—it deposits pollen on receptive stigmas first, then picks up fresh pollen from the younger flowers above. This bottom-to-top sequence forces cross-pollination between plants. The garden-faced bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), with its extra-long tongue, is the primary pollinator. Note: all parts of foxglove are toxic to humans and pets.
You might also find coral and peach flowers helpful here.
6. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Zones 3–9 | Bloom: June–August | Attracts: monarch butterflies (obligate host), native bees, beetles
No plant is more critical for one specific pollinator. Milkweed is the only host plant for monarch caterpillars—females lay eggs exclusively on Asclepias species, and larvae eat nothing else. With monarch populations down roughly 80% over the past two decades, every milkweed plant counts. Common milkweed (A. syriaca) suits zones 3–9 and self-seeds freely. Swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) works better in rain gardens and clay soils. Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) tolerates dry, poor soil and produces vivid orange flowers. Plant at least three stems per monarch—each caterpillar consumes 20+ leaves before pupating.
7. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Annual, all zones | Bloom: June–August | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees
Borage refills its nectar supply every 2–5 minutes—most flowers take 24 hours. This extraordinarily fast replenishment rate, documented by Stawiarz et al. in the Journal of Apicultural Science, explains why bees return to borage plants obsessively throughout the day. Each flower produces roughly 4 mg of nectar and 1.1 mg of pollen. The downward-facing star-shaped blooms prevent rain from diluting nectar and position the anthers so that bees must grip and shake the flower to feed, ensuring thorough pollen contact. Direct sow after last frost; borage resents transplanting.
8. Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii)
Zones 4–9 | Bloom: May–September | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees, painted lady butterflies
Catmint’s five-month bloom window is one of the longest of any garden perennial, which makes it a backbone plant for pollinator gardens. The tiny two-lipped flowers are spaced along loose spikes—dense enough to reward foraging bees but open enough for butterflies to navigate. Cut stems back by one-third after the first flush fades in early July, and a second wave of flowers appears within two weeks. Walker’s Low and Six Hills Giant are the most floriferous cultivars. Full sun, lean soil, no supplemental water once established.
9. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Zones 3–9 | Bloom: July–October | Attracts: butterflies, native bees, honeybees
Rudbeckia’s composite flower head contains two zones: the showy yellow ray petals signal pollinators visually, while the dark central cone houses hundreds of tiny disk florets that open sequentially from the outside in. This means a single flower head produces fresh nectar for weeks. The drooping ray petals double as a wind baffle, giving small native bees a sheltered feeding platform on gusty days. Goldsturm is the most widely planted cultivar—compact, heavy-blooming, and disease-resistant. See our rudbeckia growing guide for propagation details.
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→ View My Garden Calendar10. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Zones 4–11 (varies by species) | Bloom: June–October | Attracts: bumblebees, honeybees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Salvia has a lever mechanism: when a bee pushes into the flower for nectar, the stamens swing down and press pollen onto its back—a catapult designed for cross-pollination. Blue and purple salvias attract bees (which see ultraviolet wavelengths reflected by these pigments), while red-flowered species target hummingbirds. May Night and Caradonna are the hardiest perennial options for northern gardens, blooming from early June through October with regular deadheading.
11. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Annual, all zones | Bloom: June–frost | Attracts: swallowtails, painted ladies, monarchs, bumblebees, small native bees
Zinnias are one of the few annuals that genuinely rival perennials for pollinator traffic. The central disk of each flower contains dozens of tiny florets sized for even the smallest sweat bees, while the broad petal ring gives swallowtails a stable landing platform. Single and semi-double forms outperform fully double types because their disk florets remain accessible. State Fair, Benary’s Giant, and Profusion series all deliver heavy bloom. Direct sow after soil reaches 70°F (21°C)—zinnias germinate in 5–7 days and flower within 60.
We put these side by side in daylily vs lily.
12. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Zones 3–9 | Bloom: May–September | Attracts: parasitic wasps, hoverflies, small native bees, butterflies
Yarrow’s flat-topped flower clusters (corymbs) act as a communal feeding platform. Tiny beneficial insects—hoverflies, parasitic wasps, small carpenter bees—land on the surface and walk between florets instead of flying. This “open buffet” architecture attracts beneficial insects that other flowers miss entirely. Yarrow also tolerates drought, poor soil, and neglect, making it the most forgiving pollinator plant on this list. The native white-flowered species is toughest; colored cultivars like Paprika and Moonshine are slightly less vigorous but still reliable.
We put these side by side in fig vs pawpaw.
13. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Annual, all zones | Bloom: June–frost | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies
The open, daisy-like flowers of cosmos expose their nectar and pollen with zero barriers—no tubes, no flaps, no complex entry mechanisms. This makes cosmos one of the most accessible flowers for short-tongued native bees and hoverflies that would struggle with deeper flowers like salvias or bee balm. Sensation Mix grows 3–4 feet tall and self-sows freely. Sow seeds directly into average soil; cosmos actually blooms more in lean conditions. Rich soil produces foliage at the expense of flowers.
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14. Allium (Allium spp.)
Zones 4–8 | Bloom: May–June | Attracts: honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees
Allium globes are among the best spring-blooming bulbs for pollinators because each sphere contains 50–200 individual florets—a concentrated nectar source right when queen bumblebees are establishing new colonies and need maximum energy. The spherical shape lets bees land on top and work their way around without repositioning. Purple Sensation and Globemaster are the most pollinator-productive garden cultivars. Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in fall for spring bloom. They pair naturally with companion plants that fill in as the allium foliage yellows.
15. Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)
Zones 3–8 | Bloom: May–July | Attracts: native long-tongued bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds
Penstemon’s tubular flowers are shaped specifically for long-tongued native bees—the narrow opening excludes generalist insects and rewards specialists with concentrated nectar at the base. This makes penstemon particularly valuable for supporting native bee diversity rather than just honeybee volume. Husker Red is the hardiest cultivar, with bronze foliage and white tubular flowers. Our penstemon growing guide covers the sharp drainage requirements these plants need to thrive.
16. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Zones 3–8 | Bloom: July–September | Attracts: swallowtails, monarchs, honeybees, native bees
Joe Pye weed is a native powerhouse that reaches 5–7 feet tall, producing massive mauve flower heads that act as landing pads for large butterflies. The vanilla-scented blooms produce nectar in volume—a single plant can sustain dozens of simultaneous butterfly visits. It thrives in moist to average soil and partial shade, filling a niche that most sun-loving pollinator plants cannot. Gateway is a more compact cultivar (4–5 feet) for smaller gardens. Leave the dried seed heads through winter—goldfinches feed on the seeds.
17. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Zones 3–9 | Bloom: August–October | Attracts: honeybees, native bees, migrating monarchs, soldier beetles
Goldenrod is the most important late-season forage plant for bees preparing for winter. Honeybees convert goldenrod nectar into the dark, mineral-rich honey that sustains colonies through dormancy—without adequate goldenrod forage, winter survival drops sharply. It does not cause hay fever (ragweed, which blooms simultaneously, is the culprit). Fireworks and Little Lemon are garden-friendly cultivars that stay compact. A patch of goldenrod combined with asters (#18) covers the critical September–October forage gap.
18. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Zones 3–8 | Bloom: August–November | Attracts: migrating monarchs, native bees, bumblebees
Asters are the final nectar source before frost shuts down the growing season. For migrating monarchs heading south, asters along the flyway are critical refueling stations. For resident bumblebee queens about to hibernate, the late-season protein from aster pollen can mean the difference between surviving winter and starving. Ohio State Extension lists New England aster as one of the top plants for supporting late-season native bee populations. September Ruby and Purple Dome are compact cultivars that resist the legginess common in wild asters.
19. Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Zones 7–11 (treat as annual in colder zones) | Bloom: June–frost | Attracts: painted ladies, swallowtails, skippers, bees
Verbena bonariensis has an unusual advantage: its tiny flower clusters sit atop tall, nearly leafless stems that sway in the breeze—creating moving targets that butterflies track visually. The tight clustered florets mean a butterfly can probe dozens of nectar sources without relocating, maximizing energy intake per landing. In zones 7–11 it overwinters reliably; in colder areas, it self-sows so aggressively that it functions as a perennial anyway. For more on growing this species, see our verbena growing guide.
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20. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Zones 3–7 | Bloom: April–May | Attracts: early-emerging bees, bumblebee queens, mining bees
Chives are the earliest reliable nectar source on this list, flowering when queen bumblebees and solitary mining bees are emerging from winter dormancy and desperately need food. Ohio State Extension describes their early-blooming, nectar-rich flowers as a “banquet for bees emerging from dormancy.” Each purple globe contains dozens of florets, and established clumps produce 30+ flower heads per plant. Let them bloom fully before harvesting leaves—the two-week flower window is too valuable for pollinators to cut short.
Pollinator Bloom-Time Calendar
This calendar shows when each flower produces nectar and pollen. Aim for at least three flowers in bloom during each column to avoid forage gaps.
| Flower | Zones | Mar–Apr | May–Jun | Jul–Aug | Sep–Oct+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chives | 3–7 | ● | |||
| Allium | 4–8 | ● | |||
| Foxglove | 4–8 | ● | |||
| Penstemon | 3–8 | ● | |||
| Catmint | 4–9 | ● | ● | ● | |
| Yarrow | 3–9 | ● | ● | ● | |
| Lavender | 5–9 | ● | ● | ||
| Milkweed | 3–9 | ● | ● | ||
| Borage | Annual | ● | ● | ||
| Echinacea | 3–9 | ● | ● | ● | |
| Salvia | 4–11 | ● | ● | ● | |
| Cosmos | Annual | ● | ● | ● | |
| Zinnia | Annual | ● | ● | ● | |
| Verbena | 7–11 | ● | ● | ● | |
| Bee Balm | 3–8 | ● | ● | ||
| Sunflower | Annual | ● | ● | ||
| Black-Eyed Susan | 3–9 | ● | ● | ||
| Joe Pye Weed | 3–8 | ● | ● | ||
| Goldenrod | 3–9 | ● | |||
| New England Aster | 3–8 | ● | ● |
How to Plan a Year-Round Pollinator Garden
The single most effective thing you can do is eliminate forage gaps—periods where nothing is blooming. A study cited by Ohio State Extension found that floral abundance is one of the strongest predictors of bee diversity in gardens. Use the calendar above and pick at least three species from each seasonal column.
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Group the same species in clusters of three to five plants rather than scattering singles. Bees are energy accountants—they return to concentrated patches because the flight distance between flowers is shorter and the caloric payoff is higher. A three-foot drift of catmint pulls in more pollinators than 10 individual plants scattered across the yard.
Avoid double-flowered cultivars. The extra petals replace stamens and nectaries, turning a food source into a decorative dead end. Always choose single or semi-double forms when the option exists. Skip pesticides on and around pollinator beds—even organic sprays like spinosad are lethal to bees on contact.
Finally, leave some ground bare. About 70% of native bee species nest in the ground, not in hives. A small patch of undisturbed, unmulched soil in a sunny spot gives mining bees and sweat bees a place to raise their young.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What color flowers attract bees the most?
Bees see in the ultraviolet spectrum and are most attracted to blue, purple, violet, and white flowers. Yellow is also effective. They cannot see red—red flowers primarily attract hummingbirds. Planting a mix of blues, purples, and yellows covers the broadest range of bee species.
Do flowers that attract bees also attract wasps?
Some overlap exists, but wasps are primarily predators, not nectar foragers. Yarrow and fennel attract parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests like aphids and caterpillars—these are beneficial insects, not the aggressive yellowjackets most people worry about.
Can I grow a pollinator garden in shade?
Most pollinator plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun. Joe Pye weed and bee balm tolerate partial shade (4–6 hours). For deep shade, focus on early spring bulbs like chives that bloom before tree canopy fills in.
Should I plant native or non-native flowers for pollinators?
Both contribute, but native plants offer two advantages: they support specialist native bees that have co-evolved with specific pollen types, and many serve as host plants for butterfly larvae. Milkweed for monarchs is the clearest example. A mix of native perennials with non-native annuals like zinnias and cosmos gives the broadest pollinator support.
How many different species should a pollinator garden include?
Nebraska Extension recommends a variety of plants blooming from April through October. In practice, 10–15 species from this list—with at least three blooming in each season—provides consistent forage. Quality of coverage across seasons matters more than raw species count.
Sources
- Ellsworth, D. Attracting Pollinators to the Garden. Ohio State University Extension, ENT-47
- USAFacts. How Much Have US Bee Populations Fallen, and Why?
- NatureServe. Over One-Fifth of Native North American Pollinators at Elevated Risk of Extinction
- University of Florida IFAS Extension. Bee Plants — Gardening Solutions
- ScienceDaily. Bees and Butterflies on the Decline in Western and Southern North America. PLOS ONE, 2024
- Nebraska Extension, Lancaster County. Plants for Pollinators
- Garden Design. 14 Best Flowers for Bees — Fill Your Garden with Bee-Friendly Plants
- Buzz About Bees. Borage for Bees and Pollinators — The Research
