Buy Bee-Friendly Plants for a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Adding bee-friendly plants is one of the simplest ways to make your garden more useful to pollinators while adding color, texture, and seasonal interest. Bees rely on flowers for nectar and pollen, and gardens with a variety of bloom times can provide food across more of the growing season.

At Garden Crossings, you can buy bee-friendly plants across annuals, perennials, and native selections chosen for strong garden performance and pollinator appeal. Look for nectar-rich flowers, long bloom windows, and a mix of shapes and colors to create a planting that is attractive to both gardeners and visiting bees.

A close-up of a bee collecting nectar on a cluster of vibrant orange flowers, with a blurred green background.
Close-up of a cluster of white, star-shaped Stardiva™ White Fan Flower (Scaevola) blooms with yellow centers and green leaves, featuring both open flowers and buds for a lush, vibrant look - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A ceramic pot displays lush green foliage and many star-shaped Stardiva™ White Fan Flower (Scaevola) blooms with yellow centers, all set against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Stardiva® White Fan Flower (Scaevola)

$10.99
$10.99
A bushy red perennial, Designer Threads® 'Scarlet Ribbons' Thread Leaf Coreopsis, displays thin green leaves and many small, deep red blooms that stand out vibrantly against a mulched garden bed's greenery - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Designer Threads® 'Scarlet Ribbons' Thread Leaf Coreopsis

$15.19
$18.99 $15.19

A close-up of the Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea), featuring vibrant yellow petals and a green-orange center amid lush foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Top-down view of Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea) is a striking native perennial with vivid yellow petals and lush green foliage. Its vibrant blooms stand out in the garden, especially when accented by dark mulch and colorful surrounding flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Improved Coneflower (Echinacea)

$19.99
$19.99

A close-up of Arctic Fox™ Rose Foxglove (Digitalis), a classic cottage garden favorite, showing dense clusters of pink, bell-shaped flowers with lighter peach interiors and tiny speckles along a vertical green stem - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.Close-up of Arctic Fox™ Rose Foxglove (Digitalis) with tall stalks of peach-pink tubular blooms and green leaves. This long-blooming perennial adds cottage charm, thriving in sunlight and complementing any garden with its stunning color - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.

Arctic Fox™ Rose Foxglove (Digitalis)

$18.99
$18.99

Sunsatia® Blood Orange™ Nemesia features vibrant orange and red flowers with yellow centers, set against lush green foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A dense cluster of vibrant orange and red Sunsatia® Blood Orange™ Nemesia blooms creates a rich, textured display filling spaces with warm tones and delicate petal patterns - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sunsatia® Blood Orange™ Nemesia

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of 'Chartreuse On the Loose' Catmint (Nepeta) is a bushy perennial with vibrant purple flower clusters and light green, serrated leaves, thriving in natural gardens and blooming for an extended period - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.'Chartreuse On the Loose' Catmint (Nepeta) is a bushy perennial with bright green leaves and clusters of small purple flowers, thriving outdoors in sunlight - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Chartreuse On the Loose' Catmint (Nepeta)

$17.99
$17.99

A large, white Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) flower with pink veins and a deep red center is highlighted by sunlight amid dark foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of a large pink and white Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' Rose Mallow (Hibiscus) flower with a red center and prominent stamen, set against striking green and purplish foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Summerific® 'Perfect Storm' Rose Mallow (Hibiscus)

$21.99
$21.99

Sun Parasol® XP Original Sunbeam® Mandevilla is a vibrant climbing plant with glossy green leaves and trumpet-shaped yellow flowers featuring orange centers, perfect for sunny spots - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of Sun Parasol® XP Original Sunbeam® Mandevilla: yellow trumpet-shaped flowers with orange centers amid glossy green leaves. Buds are visible, highlighting this sun-loving climbing plant's vibrant display - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sun Parasol® XP Original Sunbeam® Mandevilla

$15.99
$15.99

Summerlong™ Lilac Hummingbird Mint (Agastache) displays tall stems covered in bright pink-purple tubular blooms - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of vibrant Summerlong™ Lilac Hummingbird Mint (Agastache) flowers with tall, narrow petals and green foliage add lively color to the landscape, seen in front of a gray building with white-trimmed windows - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Summerlong™ Lilac Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)

$17.99
$17.99

Bumble Bee™ Orange Calibrachoa features vibrant orange flowers with red centers and yellow throats, surrounded by lush green leaves. Delicate veins accent these stunning millionbells, all showcased in glorious full bloom - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA gray flower pot displays a dense, rounded cluster of Bumble Bee™ Orange Calibrachoa, featuring orange and red blooms edged in yellow, all set against a plain white background - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Bumble Bee™ Orange Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of Honeymoon® 'Rome in Red' Lenten Rose (Helleborus), a deep burgundy perennial with yellow stamens, surrounded by green leaves and softly blurred background foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of the Honeymoon® 'Rome in Red' Lenten Rose (Helleborus) features clusters of deep purple blooms with yellow-green centers and bright stamens - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Honeymoon® 'Rome in Red' Lenten Rose (Helleborus)

$18.99
$18.99

Clusters of Luscious® Pinkberry Blend™ Lantana, known for drought tolerance, display vibrant pink and yellow blooms among green leaves as a small insect rests on one cluster in bright sunlight - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of Luscious® Pinkberry Blend™ Lantana, a drought-tolerant flower with clusters of small pink, yellow, and orange blossoms amid lush green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Luscious® Pinkberry Blend™ Lantana

$10.99
$10.99
Bright yellow-green, finely divided leaves of the Lemony Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus) shrub fill the image with dense, lacy foliage and delicate pointed tips. The plant’s overlapping leaves largely obscure the background. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCThe bright green, finely textured foliage of a Lemony Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus) shrub fills most of the image, with clusters of pink hydrangea flowers in the lower right corner. A white-framed window is partially visible at the top. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Lemony Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus)

$22.99
$22.99

A large Luminary® 'Pink Lightning' Tall Garden Phlox, a vibrant and pollinator-friendly plant, flourishes outdoors with clusters of bright pink flowers and dark green leaves among trees and other blooming plants - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Close-up of Luminary® 'Pink Lightning' Tall Garden Phlox with clusters of vibrant pink blooms with tightly packed petals, creating a lush, colorful display - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Luminary® 'Pink Lightning' Tall Garden Phlox

$18.99
$18.99

Purple butterfly bush blooms, like the hardy Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), show long flower clusters above green leaves, with pink and orange coneflowers providing colorful background accents - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A close-up of a Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) flower cluster among green leaves, with sunlight highlighting its vibrant colors and softly blurred background flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

$22.99
$22.99

Two vibrant coral pink Fruit Punch® 'Classic Coral' Pinks (Dianthus) blooms stand amid slender green leaves, with more pink blossoms in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of Fruit Punch® 'Classic Coral' Pinks (Dianthus) blooms in a garden bed, surrounded by green leaves and brown soil - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Fruit Punch® 'Classic Coral' Pinks (Dianthus)

$18.99
$18.99

A cluster of vibrant golden yellow 'Little Goldstar' Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) flowers with dark centers is surrounded by lush green foliage and tall grasses, with a patch of pale pink flowers in the lower left corner - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of golden yellow 'Little Goldstar' Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) blooms among green foliage and tall ornamental grasses, adding vibrant color to the garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Little Goldstar' Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

$18.99
$18.99
Close-up of a Mini Gallery™ Red Lupine (Lupinus) features tall spikes of vibrant deep pink flowers tightly clustered on upright stems, set against lush green foliage, making a striking compact addition to your garden - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Mini Gallery™ Red Lupine (Lupinus) forms a lush cluster of compact plants with tall, cone-shaped flower spikes in striking red, pink, and purple, adding vibrant color to your garden bed among other leafy plants - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Mini Gallery™ Red Lupine (Lupinus)

$17.99
$17.99

Close-up of vibrant pink Sun Parasol® XP Mauvelous Mandevilla flowers with five petals and dark centers, set against lush green leaves. This healthy climber blooms beautifully in a black pot, adding a fresh touch to any space - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.Sun Parasol® XP Mauvelous Mandevilla is a climbing plant with glossy green leaves and abundant vibrant pink trumpet-shaped blooms, displayed against a light gray textured backdrop - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sun Parasol® XP Mauvelous Mandevilla

$15.99
$15.99

A dense cluster of Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda) with spiky red petals and lush green leaves grows in the garden, surrounded by other perennials and purple flowers in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of a cluster of vibrant Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda) blooming outdoors, featuring spiky red petals and dark green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda)

$18.99
$18.99
Clusters of bright pink New Vintage™ Rose Yarrow (Achillea) flowers bloom above green, fern-like foliage with some visible buds. Background shows more yarrow amid blurred greenery - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.Clusters of bright pink New Vintage™ Rose Yarrow (Achillea) with fern-like green leaves grow densely in the garden. Some blooms are lighter pink - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.

New Vintage™ Rose Yarrow (Achillea)

$17.99
$17.99

Summersong™ Firefinch™ Coneflower (Echinacea), a compact and long-blooming perennial, features spiky orange-brown centers and lush green foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of Summersong™ Firefinch™ Coneflower (Echinacea) is a compact, perennial with bright pink petals, orange-brown centers, and green foliage. A wooden lattice fence appears in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Summersong® Firefinch™ Coneflower (Echinacea)

$19.99
$19.99

Whirlwind® Blue Fan Flower (Scaevola) features dense clusters of vibrant purple blooms and green foliage in a teal container - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.Close-up of Whirlwind® Blue Fan Flower (Scaevola) featuring clusters of vibrant purple blooms with yellow centers and serrated green leaves, creating a dense, colorful look - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Whirlwind® Blue Fan Flower (Scaevola)

$10.99
$10.99

A group of Dolce® 'Silver Gumdrop' Coral Bells (Heuchera) shows off ruffled, rounded leaves in silvery lavender and deep purple tones, growing in a garden bed with visible soil and mulch - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of Dolce® 'Silver Gumdrop' Coral Bells (Heuchera), with silvery-purple leaves and bright pink flowers, thrives in a garden bed with dark soil - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Dolce® 'Silver Gumdrop' Coral Bells (Heuchera)

$18.99
$18.99

Purple allium flowers blooming as bee-friendly plants for pollinators

What Are the Best Plants for Bees?

Some of the best plants for bees provide generous nectar or pollen and bloom for an extended period. Catmint, bee balm, lavender, allium, salvia, and other flowering plants are all represented in Garden Crossings’ bee-friendly collections.

For longer-lasting structure, browse our bee-friendly perennials. You can also explore native plants when you want varieties that can support native pollinators and other wildlife.

When choosing bee-loving plants, match them to your garden’s actual conditions. Sun exposure, soil moisture, mature size, and hardiness all matter just as much as flower color.

Pink salvia flowers blooming as bee-friendly plants for pollinators

Create a Garden Bees Can Visit All Season

If you’re wondering what plants attract bees, start by choosing several flowering varieties with overlapping bloom periods. A garden that offers something in spring, summer, and fall is generally more useful than one that flowers all at once.

You don’t need to redesign your entire yard. Even a small grouping of bee-friendly plants in an existing border or container can add valuable forage.

FAQs

Bees are drawn to many nectar- and pollen-rich flowers, including lavender, bee balm, catmint, salvia, and allium. Different bee species have different preferences, so plant diversity is helpful.

Both can be useful. Annuals can provide abundant seasonal color, while perennials return year after year when suited to your growing zone.

Yes. Native plants can be especially valuable because many native pollinators evolved alongside them.