Bee-Friendly Native Plants

White Wild Indigo is a long-lived native legume of eastern and central North American prairies, once listed under the names Baptisia leucantha and Baptisia lactea. White pea-like flowers on dark stems attract bumblebees, while sulphur and blue butterfly caterpillars use its foliage. Its deep roots and association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria help it persist in prairie plantings. Give it sun to partial shade and room for its broad, shrub-like form.

Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) is a distinctive North American native plant. Narrow foliage gives this aromatic mountain mint an airy texture, while its white flower clusters support diverse beneficial insects. It matures at approximately 24 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium through medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or sandy soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Calico Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus) is a distinctive North American native plant. Pink tubular flowers with contrasting interiors rise above glossy foliage and invite bees into early-summer gardens. It matures at approximately 36 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or clay soil. Space plants 12–18 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Riddell's Goldenrod (Oligoneuron riddellii) is a distinctive North American native plant. Dense golden flower clusters brighten damp soils late in the season and provide seed for songbirds after bloom. It matures at approximately 36 inches tall and flowers from mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun, in medium through wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil, wet soil or alkaline soil. Space plants 24–36 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Great Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) is a distinctive North American native plant. Large greenish umbels rise on burgundy-tinged stems, giving moist borders and streamside plantings dramatic height. It matures at approximately 84 inches tall and flowers from mid to late spring through late spring to early summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium through wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil, wet soil or alkaline soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

PowWow White brings white flowers to sunny perennial beds and containers. This compact, branching coneflower can bloom in its first year and tolerates drought once established.

Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii), also known as Sullivant’s Milkweed, is a native Midwestern perennial with broad blue-green foliage, rosy pink flower clusters, and exceptional value for monarch habitat. Upright plants bring a polished look to prairie gardens, pollinator borders, and naturalized plantings while supplying nectar to bees and butterflies.

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a native North American herb with a rich history and distinctive characteristics. Historically used by Indigenous peoples for its medicinal properties, Boneset earned its name from its traditional use in treating fevers and musculoskeletal ailments. Originating from the eastern United States, this perennial plant is recognized for its unique features and growing habits. Boneset typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and has a bushy, upright growth habit.

The Five Spot Nemophila creates a beautiful carpet of many, unique white and purple blooms that is really a stunning sight to see. This variety is an annual wildflower that easily and quickly grows from its seeds. The Five Spot grows fast and blooms profusely, and then it dies back with the first frost of fall. This variety may re-seed itself if the seeds fall on bare ground.

Western Sand Milkweed (Asclepias arenaria), also known as Sandhill Milkweed or Dwarf Milkweed, is a hardy, drought-tolerant species native to the sandy plains and prairies of the central and southwestern United States, where it has long supported pollinators and played a role in Indigenous plant knowledge. This milkweed forms upright stems with soft, velvety, blue-green leaves and produces clusters of pale greenish-white flowers that are highly attractive to monarchs, bees, and other beneficial insects.

Seedbox is a North American native of moist prairies and marsh edges, named for its distinctive cube-shaped seed capsule. Small yellow flowers appear at the leaf joints on reddish stems. Bees visit the blooms and leaf-feeding insects use the foliage. Grow it in sun to partial shade in medium-wet soil or a rain garden.

Bottle Gentian is a slow-growing North American perennial whose closed blue flowers have earned the older name Closed Bottle Gentian. Bumblebees are strong enough to push into the late-season blossoms and are its principal pollinators. The long-lived plants bring color to wet meadows when many summer flowers have faded. Grow in sun to partial shade and medium to moist soil.

Nodding Bur Marigold is a native annual of North American wet meadows and marsh edges. Its old names Beggar's Tick and Sticktight recall the hooked seeds that cling to passing animals. Golden, sunflower-like flowers feed bees, butterflies, skippers, and moths; later, ducks and songbirds eat the seeds. Plant in full sun and wet to moist ground, where it can reseed naturally.

Elm-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia) is a distinctive North American native plant. Arching sprays of yellow flowers appear from midsummer into fall above elm-like leaves, bringing late nectar to woodland edges. It matures at approximately 36 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium to medium conditions, with loamy soil or sandy soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Bog Goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) is a distinctive North American native plant. Sturdy stems and yellow flower clusters suit boggy ground, rain gardens, and other consistently moist native landscapes. It matures at approximately 48 inches tall and flowers from mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium through wet conditions, with loamy soil or wet soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Upland White Goldenrod (Oligoneuron album) is a distinctive North American native plant. Compact plants carry uncommon white goldenrod flowers and thrive in dry, open ground where taller species may struggle. It matures at approximately 12 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun, in dry to dry-medium conditions, with sandy soil, dry soil or poor soil. Space plants 12–18 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Great St. John's Wort (Hypericum pyramidatum) is a distinctive North American native plant. Large yellow flowers top tall stems in midsummer, and spreading rhizomes help establish substantial colonies in moist sites. It matures at approximately 72 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or clay soil. Space plants 24–36 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Saw-tooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) is a distinctive North American native plant. Tall reddish-purple stems and sharply toothed leaves support clusters of yellow blooms that feed insects and seed-eating birds. It matures at approximately 96 inches tall and flowers from mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium through medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or clay soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) is a distinctive North American native plant. Clusters of yellow flowers crown tall purplish stems, creating late-season color and abundant food for pollinators and birds. It matures at approximately 96 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer through early to mid fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil or sandy soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Shrubby St. John's Wort (Hypericum prolificum) is a distinctive North American native plant. This well-behaved native shrub forms a rounded habit and covers itself with bright yellow flowers that are especially attractive to bumblebees. It matures at approximately 48 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium through medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil, sandy soil or poor soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Great Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) is a distinctive North American native plant. Tall blue-green foliage and prominent yellow flowers create a bold architectural presence, while mature seed heads feed songbirds. It matures at approximately 72 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil or clay soil. Space plants 36–48 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Early Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a short-lived native perennial with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from early summer into early fall. Upright clumps reach about 5 feet tall and support bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds. Plants perform best in full sun and tolerate loam, clay, or sandy soils with medium moisture. Seed requires 30 days of cold, moist stratification before germination.

Wild Golden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a tall native perennial with bright yellow flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall. Plants reach about 7 feet and spread by rhizomes, making them well suited to moist naturalized gardens, woodland edges, and rain-garden plantings. The flowers support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, while mature seed heads provide food for birds. Seed requires 30 days of cold, moist stratification and should be surface sown.

Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii) is a native perennial with golden-orange flowers and a compact, mounding habit. Plants reach about 3 feet and bloom from midsummer into early fall in full sun or partial shade. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and the mature seed heads provide food for birds. Seed requires 60 days of cold, moist stratification and should be surface sown.

Prairie Blaze Orange Sunset adds orange blooms to sunny beds and containers. Its compact, upright plants bring perennial color to small spaces and attract pollinators.

Prairie Blaze Green adds green blooms to sunny beds and containers. Its compact, upright plants bring perennial color to small spaces and attract pollinators.

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) produces scarlet-red and orange flower clusters that attract butterflies and other pollinators. The upright plants grow vigorously in warm conditions and often bloom in their first year from seed. It performs best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil and can be grown as a warm-season annual where winters freeze. Its colorful blooms make it a strong choice for containers and pollinator gardens.

Allegheny Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens) is a moisture-loving native perennial with violet-blue, snapdragon-like flowers. It thrives along pond margins, in wet meadows, and in rain gardens where soil stays consistently moist. The upright plants bloom through summer and provide nectar for bees and other pollinators. Mature flowering stems typically reach about 18 to 24 inches tall.

Don't let the name fool you! This is mainly an Eastern native plant. Known botanically as Helianthus occidentalis, the Western Sunflower has a distinctive growth habit that makes it easy to recognize. Most of its leaves cluster in a rosette at the plant’s base, while a slender stalk rises from the center and can reach about three feet tall. A brilliant yellow flower head appears at the top of the stem. Because the stalk bears very few leaves, the species is also commonly called the “naked-stemmed sunflower” or “few-leaved sunflower.”

Single White English Daisy produces cheerful white, yellow-centered blooms on compact perennial plants. A charming choice for borders, rock gardens, containers, and naturalized plantings.

Wild quinine carries pearly white button-like flower heads above coarse gray-green foliage for much of summer. The rigid stems hold their shape beautifully in prairie gardens, pollinator borders, and dried arrangements. A deep root system helps established plants perform through heat and dry spells.