20 Flowers That Attract Bees and Butterflies: Best Bloomers From May Through September
Discover 20 proven flowers that attract bees and butterflies, organised by season for continuous blooms from March to October. Includes USDA zones, pollinator mechanisms, and garden design tips.
Three out of every four bites of food you eat exists because a bee, butterfly, or other pollinator visited a flower. That staggering statistic — 75% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators — tells only half the story. Wild bee populations across North America have declined by up to 50% since the 1970s, driven by habitat loss, pesticide use, and the disappearance of flower-rich landscapes. The good news? A single home garden planted with the right flowers can become a genuine lifeline.
This guide covers 20 proven pollinator plants, organised by season so your garden provides food from the first warm days of late winter right through to the first hard frosts. You’ll find exactly which species love each flower, the mechanism behind that attraction, and USDA hardiness zones so you can plant with confidence whatever your climate.
Whether you have a 4x8ft raised bed or a full suburban lot, these flowers that attract bees and butterflies will transform your outdoor space into a buzzing, fluttering sanctuary — and help reverse a crisis that affects every plate of food on your table.
Why Pollinators Are in Trouble — and How Your Garden Helps
The statistics are sobering. The monarch butterfly population has fallen by more than 80% in the last two decades. Commercial honeybee colonies in the US collapse at a rate of 30–40% every year from Colony Collapse Disorder. Bumblebee species like the rusty-patched bumblebee — once common across the eastern US — are now listed as federally endangered.
The cause is well understood: modern landscapes have become a food desert for pollinators. Manicured lawns, concrete, and monoculture agriculture offer almost nothing. A garden filled with nectar- and pollen-rich flowers is not a drop in the ocean — it is actively measurable. Research from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation shows that urban and suburban gardens can support pollinator densities comparable to nature reserves when planted strategically.
See also our guide to black and dark flowers.
The principles are simple: choose flowers pollinators can access (single, open blooms over doubles), provide food across as many months as possible, and avoid systemic pesticides that contaminate pollen and nectar. The 20 flowers below meet all three criteria.
Spring Bloomers (March–May): The First Food of the Year
Early-emerging queen bumblebees and overwintered butterflies are desperately hungry in late winter and early spring. Every flower that blooms before May is disproportionately valuable.
1. Crocus (Crocus spp.) — USDA Zones 3–8
Why pollinators love it: Crocus often flowers while snow still lies on the ground, making it the first pollen and nectar source of the year. The open, cup-shaped blooms are perfectly scaled for small native bees and early bumblebee queens. Purple and blue varieties produce more nectar than white ones — Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ and C. vernus are the top choices. Plant in large drifts of 50+ bulbs; a lone crocus is almost invisible to a foraging bee. Bloom period: February–March.
We cover this in more depth in purple flowers for garden.
2. English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) — USDA Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: The tubular, pendant flowers are an almost perfect fit for bumblebee tongues, excluding short-tongued competitors and giving bumblebees sole access to deep nectar reserves. A bluebell wood in full flower can support dozens of queen bees per square metre. Native to the UK but naturalises readily in woodland edges and shaded borders across the US. Avoid the Spanish bluebell (H. hispanica) — it hybridises with the native species and has a wider, less specialist flower. Bloom period: April–May.
3. Borage (Borago officinalis) — Annual, All Zones
Why pollinators love it: Borage is a superstar — bees can hear its flowers. Research published in Science Advances showed that bumblebees can detect the electric field generated by a flower and use it to identify rewarding blooms. Borage’s star-shaped blue flowers also refill their nectar every two minutes, creating a reliable buffet. It self-seeds prolifically, blooming from June until frost once established. Companion planting with tomatoes and squash is an excellent use — borage deters tomato hornworm and draws pollinators to your vegetable patch simultaneously. Bloom period: May–October.
4. Wallflower (Erysimum spp.) — Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: The intense, spicy-sweet scent of wallflowers is specifically calibrated to attract bees from a distance. The flowers are rich in both pollen and nectar, and the flat-topped clusters provide easy landing platforms for butterflies including cabbage whites, orange-tips, and early-season skippers. Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is a particular standout, flowering almost year-round in mild climates (Zones 6+). Treat as a biennial in colder zones. Bloom period: March–May, with repeat flushes through summer in mild climates.
5. Fruit Blossom (Apple, Cherry, Plum) — Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: A mature apple or cherry tree in full flower is one of the most productive pollinator resources in any garden. The open, bowl-shaped flowers are accessible to the full spectrum of bee species — honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, and mining bees — and the bloom window coincides exactly with the peak emergence of overwintered queens. Even a single crabapple (Malus spp.) — far smaller than an orchard tree — provides thousands of pollen-rich flowers and is rated as one of the top 10 trees for bees by the Royal Horticultural Society. Bloom period: March–May (variety dependent).
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We cover this in more depth in green flowers for unique garden.
Summer Bloomers (June–August): Peak Pollinator Season
Summer is when your garden works hardest for pollinators — and when the right plant choices make the biggest difference. Aim for continuous overlap between species so there is never a gap in nectar supply.
6. Lavender (Lavandula spp.) — Zones 5–9 (species dependent)
Why pollinators love it: Lavender is arguably the single most important bee plant you can grow. The tubular florets are perfectly sized for both bumblebees and smaller solitary bees, and a mature lavender plant can receive hundreds of bee visits per hour on a warm day. Hoverflies and butterflies use it too. The Xerces Society lists lavender as a top-rated pollinator plant for the Western US; L. angustifolia (English lavender, Zones 5–8) and Lavandula x intermedia (lavandin, Zones 5–9) are the best choices for cold climates. For more on varieties and cultivation, see our complete lavender growing guide. Bloom period: June–August.
7. Echinacea / Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — Zones 3–9
Why pollinators love it: The flat, disc-like centre of an echinacea is not one flower — it is hundreds of tiny tubular florets arranged in a spiral, each producing a small drop of nectar. This structure acts as a perfect butterfly landing platform: large enough to stand on, with food densely packed across the surface. Monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and fritillaries are regulars, alongside bumblebees, mining bees, and goldenrod bees. Leave the seed heads standing through autumn — goldfinches and other seed-eating birds will thank you. Bloom period: July–September.
8. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — Annual, All Zones
Why pollinators love it: Like echinacea, a sunflower head is not a single flower. Each disc floret in the centre opens sequentially over 10–14 days, providing a rolling banquet. Research from Penn State Extension found that sunflowers attract more than 50 species of native bees. Critically, choose single-flowered varieties — pollen-free hybrids bred for the cut-flower trade offer nothing to pollinators. Helianthus annuus ‘Lemon Queen’, ‘Mammoth’, and ‘Italian White’ are excellent. Our complete sunflower growing guide covers sowing to harvest in full. Bloom period: July–September.
9. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) — Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: Foxglove is engineered for bumblebees. The tall, tubular flowers are precisely the right diameter and depth for a bumblebee to crawl inside — the bee brushes past the anthers as it enters, picking up a load of pollen on its back. Smaller bees cannot reach the nectar at the base. The spotted “honey guides” inside each tube are UV-reflective patterns visible to bees but not humans, acting as a landing-strip pointing directly to the nectar. A self-seeding biennial — plant once and it returns indefinitely. Bloom period: June–July (second-year plants).
Related: yellow flowers brighten any garden.
10. Verbena bonariensis — Zones 7–11 (self-seeds as annual in cooler zones)
Why pollinators love it: The tall, airy stems of Verbena bonariensis hold clusters of tiny purple flowers at eye level, creating elevated landing platforms that butterflies find irresistible. It is one of the top-rated butterfly plants in the UK and US — swallowtails, painted ladies, and red admirals use it constantly. In Zones 7 and above it is reliably perennial; in colder zones it self-seeds so freely it behaves like a perennial anyway. Its transparent, see-through habit means it can be planted at the front or middle of a border without blocking views. Bloom period: July–October.
Related: red flowers for bold garden.
11. Salvia / Sage (Salvia spp.) — Zones 4–11 (species dependent)
Why pollinators love it: The salvia genus has an extraordinary diversity of pollinator-adapted mechanisms. Many species have hinged anthers — when a bee lands and pushes into the flower to reach nectar, the anther swings down and stamps pollen on the bee’s back. Red salvias (S. splendens, S. coccinea) also attract hummingbirds. For bees, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ and ‘May Night’ are outstanding cold-hardy options (Zones 4–8); for a longer season, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ (Zones 7–11) blooms from June to frost. Growing herbs like basil alongside salvias creates a layered herb garden with exceptional pollinator value. Bloom period: May–October (species dependent).
12. Catmint (Nepeta spp.) — Zones 3–9
Why pollinators love it: Catmint is one of the longest-blooming pollinator plants available, often flowering from May through September with a mid-summer shear to restart. The small lavender-blue tubular flowers are perfectly sized for bumblebees, honeybees, and small solitary bees. It is also highly resistant to deer, drought, and neglect — a beginner-proof plant that punches above its weight for pollinators. Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ (RHS Award of Garden Merit) and N. ‘Six Hills Giant’ are the most productive choices. Bloom period: May–September (with shearing).
You might also find coral and peach flowers helpful here.
13. Agastache / Hyssop (Agastache spp.) — Zones 4–10 (species dependent)
Why pollinators love it: Agastache is the best plant for late-summer bees when many other plants are fading. The dense flower spikes combine tubular florets (for bumblebees and hummingbirds) with exposed pollen (for smaller bees and hoverflies). Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ (Zones 5–9) is a workhorse; A. ‘Kudos Coral’ and ‘Kudos Ambrosia’ are hummingbird magnets in the Southwest. The anise-scented foliage also deters deer. According to Penn State Extension, agastache ranks among the top 15 plants for native bee diversity in North American gardens. Bloom period: July–October.
14. Buddleia / Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) — Zones 5–9
Why pollinators love it: The common name says it all — butterflies mob buddleia like no other plant. The dense, honey-scented panicles produce nectar across a huge surface area accessible to all butterfly species. Painted ladies, swallowtails, monarchs, and red admirals are all regulars. Important caveat: Buddleja davidii is listed as invasive in parts of the Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast US. In these regions, choose sterile cultivars (‘Miss Molly’, ‘Blue Chip Jr’, ‘Pugster Pinker’) which produce little viable seed, or substitute with native alternatives such as Ceanothus (Zones 8–10) or mountain mint / Pycnanthemum (Zones 3–8). Bloom period: July–September.
Autumn Bloomers (September–November): The Last Feast Before Frost
As summer ends, pollinators face a critical challenge: building sufficient fat reserves to survive winter. Autumn-blooming plants are not a luxury — they are essential.
15. Sedum / Ice Plant (Hylotelephium spp.) — Zones 3–9
Why pollinators love it: The flat, plate-like flower heads of sedum — now botanically reclassified to Hylotelephium — provide the wide landing platform that butterflies prefer, along with abundant shallow nectar accessible to short-tongued bees. Hylotelephium ‘Autumn Joy’ (syn. Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’) typically peaks in September–October, exactly when most gardens have run out of pollen. Bumblebee colonies are at their largest in September, and queen bumblebees are frantically feeding before their winter dormancy — sedum is one of their most important fuel stops. Bloom period: August–October.
16. Aster / Michaelmas Daisy (Symphyotrichum spp.) — Zones 3–9
Why pollinators love it: Asters are among the most important native wildflowers for pollinators in North America, supporting over 100 species of native bees as a specialist or preferred pollen source. The composite flowers — identical in structure to sunflowers and echinacea — provide both nectar and pollen into November. The Xerces Society lists Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (aromatic aster, Zones 3–9) and S. novae-angliae (New England aster, Zones 4–8) as top-rated native plants. Butterflies including monarchs — fuelling their migration south — depend on asters for late-season energy. Bloom period: August–November.
You might also find pink flowers for romantic garden helpful here.
17. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) — Zones 3–9
Why pollinators love it: Goldenrod is widely and unjustly blamed for hay fever — the real culprit is ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), which blooms at the same time but has wind-dispersed, invisible pollen. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky, dispersed by insects, not wind. In ecological terms, goldenrod is one of the most valuable native wildflowers in North America: the Xerces Society records more than 115 species of bees visiting Solidago species, along with over 100 butterfly and moth species. It is a critical monarch migration fuelling station. Native species such as Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ and S. sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’ are well-behaved garden plants. Bloom period: August–October.
See also our guide to blue flowers for serene garden.
Winter and Early Spring (December–February): Lifelines for Early Risers
18. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.) — Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: Hellebores flower from December through March — overlapping with the first emergence of queen bumblebees from winter dormancy. On mild winter days (above 50°F), bumblebee queens emerge to forage, and hellebores may be the only flowers available within miles. The nodding, bowl-shaped flowers hold pollen even in cold, damp conditions. Helleborus niger (Christmas rose, Zones 3–8) and H. orientalis hybrids (Lenten rose, Zones 4–9) are the most widely available. Plant in part shade under deciduous trees, where they will naturalise happily. Bloom period: December–March.
For more on this, see cottage garden flowers.
19. Winter Heather (Erica carnea) — Zones 5–7
Why pollinators love it: Erica carnea blooms from January through April in mild winters, providing tubular flowers perfectly sized for bumblebees at a time of almost no other food. A single plant in full flower in February is worth more to an emerging queen bumblebee than a dozen summer plants. Plant in acidic, free-draining soil in full sun; unlike most heathers, E. carnea tolerates moderately alkaline conditions. ‘Springwood White’, ‘Vivelli’, and ‘King George’ are reliable cultivars. Bloom period: January–April.
Choosing between these two? rose of sharon vs hardy hibiscus breaks down the pros and cons.
Herbs: The Overlooked Pollinator Powerhouse
20. Thyme (Thymus spp.) — Zones 4–9
Why pollinators love it: Most gardeners grow thyme for the kitchen and clip it before it flowers. This is a missed opportunity. Flowering thyme is exceptional for small native bees — sweat bees, mining bees, and small mason bees that cannot access larger tubular flowers. A single square metre of creeping thyme in flower can support extraordinary insect density. Thyme produces nectar at a remarkably high rate per flower relative to its size, making it calorie-dense for small bees. Let at least some plants run to flower each year. Thymus vulgaris, T. praecox (creeping thyme), and T. serpyllum are all excellent. Thyme is also an outstanding companion plant for brassicas, deterring cabbage moths. Bloom period: May–July.
Pollinator Garden Design: Making It Work
Plant in Drifts, Not Dots
A single lavender plant is a snack. Five lavender plants in a block are a destination. Research on foraging efficiency shows that bees make energetically rational decisions — they visit patches where the reward per minute of flying is highest. A mass planting is reliably worth visiting; a scattered dot garden is not. Aim for groups of at least 3–5 of the same plant, and ideally 10+ for key species like lavender, echinacea, and catmint.
Continuous Bloom: March to October
Map your garden across a calendar. You should have at least two or three species in bloom at all times from late winter through late autumn. Use the seasonal structure of this list as your framework: crocus and heather for late winter, bluebell and wallflower for spring, lavender and catmint bridging spring into summer, echinacea and agastache carrying summer through to autumn, then aster and goldenrod to the first frost.
For more on this, see all white garden.
Choose Single Flowers Over Doubles
Breeding for extra petals — which creates the pom-pom doubles popular in garden centres — fills the space where pollen and nectar are produced. Many double-flowered roses, marigolds, and dahlias offer pollinators nothing. Where possible, choose single-flowered varieties. The RHS Plants for Pollinators scheme labels plants that have been tested and confirmed to produce pollen and nectar — look for the logo when buying.
Leave Bare Soil for Ground-Nesting Bees
Approximately 70% of native bee species are ground-nesters — they dig burrows in bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Dense bark mulch prevents them from nesting entirely. Leave some areas of the garden with exposed, undisturbed soil — a sunny south-facing slope is ideal. Resist the urge to tidy every corner.
Provide Water
Bees need water for thermoregulation and to dilute honey. A shallow dish with pebbles (so bees can land without drowning) or a small water feature with gently sloping edges serves this need. Change the water every 2–3 days in summer to prevent mosquito breeding.
Eliminate or Minimise Pesticides
Systemic neonicotinoid pesticides (imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam) are taken up by the entire plant, including pollen and nectar, persisting for weeks. Even plants labelled “bee-friendly” at garden centres may have been treated at the nursery. The Xerces Society recommends buying certified organic transplants where possible, or growing from seed. If you must treat for a pest, choose the least-toxic option (insecticidal soap, neem oil) and apply in the evening when bees are not active.
We cover this in more depth in night scented flowers.
Quick-Reference Table: 20 Flowers That Attract Bees and Butterflies
| Flower | Season | USDA Zones | Key Pollinators | Stand-out Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crocus | Late winter / Spring | 3–8 | Bumblebees, mining bees | First pollen of the year |
| English Bluebell | Spring | 4–9 | Bumblebees (specialist) | Deep nectar; bumblebee exclusive |
| Borage | Spring–Autumn | All zones | All bees, hoverflies | Nectar refills every 2 minutes |
| Wallflower | Spring | 4–9 | Bees, butterflies | Scent-guided; early season |
| Fruit Blossom | Spring | 4–9 | All bee species | Massive pollen resource |
| Lavender | Summer | 5–9 | Bumblebees, honeybees, hoverflies | Top-rated bee plant |
| Echinacea | Summer–Autumn | 3–9 | Monarchs, swallowtails, bumblebees | Butterfly landing platform |
| Sunflower | Summer | All zones | 50+ native bee species | Hundreds of tiny florets per head |
| Foxglove | Summer | 4–9 | Bumblebees (specialist) | UV honey guides; lip mechanism |
| Verbena bonariensis | Summer–Autumn | 7–11 | Painted ladies, swallowtails | Elevated butterfly landing pad |
| Salvia | Spring–Autumn | 4–11 | Bees, hummingbirds | Hinged anther pollen delivery |
| Catmint | Spring–Autumn | 3–9 | Bumblebees, solitary bees | Longest bloom period |
| Agastache | Summer–Autumn | 4–10 | Bees, hummingbirds, hoverflies | Best late-summer plant |
| Buddleia | Summer | 5–9 | All butterflies | Highest butterfly density |
| Sedum / Hylotelephium | Autumn | 3–9 | Bumblebee queens, butterflies | Pre-winter fuelling stop |
| Aster | Autumn | 3–9 | 100+ native bee species, monarchs | Last major pollen source |
| Goldenrod | Autumn | 3–9 | 115+ bee species, monarchs | Most ecologically valuable native |
| Hellebore | Winter–Spring | 4–9 | Queen bumblebees | Only pollen in December–March |
| Winter Heather | Winter–Spring | 5–7 | Early bumblebees | January–April bloom window |
| Thyme | Late Spring–Summer | 4–9 | Small solitary bees, hoverflies | Calorie-dense for small bees |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which single flower attracts the most bees?
Lavender consistently tops research-based rankings for total bee visits per hour. However, goldenrod and aster attract the greatest diversity of native bee species — over 100 in each case — making them arguably more ecologically valuable for supporting native pollinator populations rather than just honeybees.
Are double-flowered roses and marigolds bad for bees?
Yes, heavily doubled flowers offer little to no pollen or nectar — the extra petals replace the reproductive structures pollinators need. Single-flowered roses (like many species roses and David Austin single varieties) and single marigolds are excellent. Look for the RHS Plants for Pollinators logo as a reliable guide.
Does Buddleia actually help butterflies?
Buddleia provides adult butterflies with nectar, but it does not support butterfly reproduction — caterpillars need native plants like milkweed (monarchs), native nettles (painted ladies, red admirals), and wild grasses (skippers) as host plants. For a true butterfly garden, combine buddleia with native host plants where caterpillars can feed and reproduce.
Can I attract pollinators to a small space like a balcony or patio?
Absolutely. Lavender, catmint, thyme, borage, and verbena bonariensis all grow in containers and are among the most pollinator-productive plants available. A 4x4ft balcony garden with 4–5 of these species can attract dozens of bee and butterfly visits per day during peak summer.
When should I stop cutting back to help pollinators overwinter?
Leave seed heads, hollow stems, and leaf litter in place through winter until late March. Many solitary bees overwinter inside hollow plant stems; ground beetles and beneficial insects shelter in leaf debris. The Xerces Society and RHS both recommend a “leave it messy” approach — cut back in late March when new growth begins, not in autumn.
