Bee-Friendly Plants

Button Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) is a native wildflower of the central and eastern United States, historically found in dry prairies, savannas, and open woodlands where its tough, deep-rooted nature helped it thrive in harsh conditions. It is known for its thick, sturdy stems topped with rounded, button-like clusters of rosy-purple flowers that open irregularly along the spike, creating a charming, textural look that pollinators—especially bees and butterflies—love.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is an eastern North American perennial with nodding red-and-yellow flowers in spring. It grows well in part shade to full sun on moist, well-drained slopes, woodland edges, and rock gardens. The early flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Mature plants generally reach 1 to 3 feet tall and readily reseed in favorable sites.

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is a moisture-loving native perennial with blue-violet flowers and upright, sword-shaped foliage. It grows well in bog gardens, rain gardens, and along pond margins in full sun. The flowers support pollinators, while the spreading rhizomes form attractive colonies in consistently moist soil. Mature plants generally reach about 30 to 36 inches tall.

The Poppy Ballerina Mix is an unique variety of California Poppy that flowers crimped petals in shades of orange, yellow, rose, white and scarlet. This variety grows to be 8-14 inches tall. The Ballerina Mix is usually considered a hardy annual, as it can be a short-lived perennial in zones 8-10.

Indian Steel is a clump-forming perennial grass with an upright, open habit typically growing upwards of 5' tall. Under the right circumstances it can be 7-8' tall. Features slender (1/2" wide), blue-green leaf blades (8-12" long) which turn yellow in fall and retain some gold color throughout the winter.

Gloriosa daisies, also known as Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa,' are a vibrant and dynamic variety of the traditional Black-eyed Susan, renowned for their striking appearance and robust growth. Originating from North America, these daisies have been cultivated since the 18th century and have become a staple in gardens for their cheerful and resilient nature. Gloriosa daisies are characterized by their large, radiant blooms with a distinctive color gradient, featuring fiery, orange to red petals with a dark, central cone.

The White Swan Echinacea is a beautiful slightly curved flower that produces beautiful, creamy extra wide petals that look lovely in a bouquet. This variety produces pure white petals with an orange-brown disk that is absolutely beautiful.

The California Poppy is a bright orange wildflower that is the most known poppy variety and will grow well throughout the United States. This poppy's foliage is absolutely beautiful and has flowers that close at night and open in the morning. Despite it's name, the California Poppy, grows well in hot or cold regions (annual) and is easy to establish.

The Phlox Annual Mix is a combination of red, purple, pink and white hued blooms, making it one of the most beautiful wildflowers around! This variety only grows to 1' tall and can grow anywhere.

Mexican Hat Ratibida, also known as Ratibida columnifera, is a striking perennial flower native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. This plant, often referred to as the "Mexican Hat" due to its distinctive flower shape, has a rich history in native gardens and landscapes. The plant is characterized by its unique, cone-shaped flowers with reddish-brown, drooping petals that resemble a sombrero hat, which contrast beautifully with its bright yellow center.

The Plains Coreopsis is an annual native that forms clusters of stunning bi-colored blooms of deep red that turn into a bright yellow. This variety makes for a great cut flower and can be grown anywhere in the United States. Plains is deer resistant and easy to grow.

The Pale Purple Echinacea is a coneflower that blooms its pale purple to pink blooms in the early summer before most other flowers! This beautiful coneflower is loved for its nectar by hummingbirds and butterflies and will grow up to 3 feet tall. Try planting this variety with the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which has a deeper purple flower and will bloom just when Pale Purple Coneflower bloom cycle is ending. Planting these two together will give you many, many weeks of beautiful, bright Echinacea blooms.

Texas Bluebonnet is the beloved state flower of Texas, producing striking blue, pea-like blooms in early spring. Plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, becoming drought tolerant once established. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and are excellent for naturalized plantings, meadows, and dry landscapes. Although commonly grown as an annual, Texas Bluebonnet can self-seed and return in future seasons when conditions are favorable.

The Whorled Asclepias is a beautiful brilliant white flower that will grow anywhere and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it! This Butterfly Weed variety is native to the Midwest but can grow almost anywhere is the USA and provides nectar to many pollinators. This easy to grow, attractive perennial blooms mid to late summer and will spread easily without thinning.

The Perennial Lupine produces beautiful spikes of purple colored flowers that will bloom from late spring throughout summer! This Lupine variety grows to be about 18-36” tall with vibrant spikes. This variety can be planted throughout a flower meadow or in the garden bed. The Perennial is easy to establish and grow, and Lupines are deer resistant and blooms year after year.

The Bravado Echinacea (coneflower) produces beautiful rosy pink petals with a golden-brown center that adds a bright pop of color to any garden. This variety is a sturdy perennial that reseeds well. The Bravado is by far one of the most popular wildflowers!

The Victoria Salvia is a large, beautiful violet-blue blooming flower on compact plants that will definitely be sure to catch your eye! The spiky blooms spread to 14" inches across. The Victoria is a favorite for being best for color intensity and duration of blooms.

, historically thriving in dry prairies, foothills, and rangelands where its exceptionally deep root system—often reaching several feet down—helped it endure drought and grazing. This species is known for its compact stature and dense spikes of bright purple, “dotted” flower clusters spaced neatly along the stem, each rich in nectar and highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and especially migrating monarchs.

, historically found in dry prairies, limestone glades, and open rangelands where its deep roots helped it thrive in harsh, exposed conditions. It earns its name from its showy, bottlebrush-like flower spikes, packed with feathery purple blooms that open from the top downward and draw heavy attention from butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The plant forms a tidy clump of narrow, grass-like leaves and produces upright stems that remain elegant even in lean, rocky soils.

Splitbeard bluestem is a native warm season, perennial bunchgrass. The plants usually begin growth in April and reach a mature height of 2 to 4 feet. The leaves can be glaucous, glabrous, or loosely villous. The leaf sheaths are villous and often purplish in appearance.

Nodding Onion brings the history of wild edible onions to North American meadows and open woods; its bulbs and leaves have been used like chives. Hooked stems carry pink to lavender flower clusters that hang downward, allowing bees to reach nectar while hovering below. The onion scent helps deter deer, and bulbs slowly form new offsets. Grow this perennial in sun or light shade and medium to moist, well-drained soil.

Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) is a distinctive North American native plant. Dense upright plumes of golden flowers provide conspicuous late-season color without the strongly spreading habit of many goldenrods. It matures at approximately 60 inches tall and flowers from early to mid fall through mid to late fall. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry to medium conditions, with loamy soil, sandy soil or dry soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

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.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a distinctive North American native plant. Heart-shaped leaves form a low woodland groundcover, concealing unusual red flowers beneath the foliage in spring. It matures at approximately 6 inches tall and flowers from early to mid spring through mid to late spring. Plant it in partial to full shade, in dry-medium through medium-wet conditions, with acidic soil, loamy soil or sandy soil. Space plants 6–12 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

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

Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is a western North American perennial with narrow leaves and rounded clusters of pale pink flowers. It thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soil and is well suited to native meadows and pollinator plantings. The foliage serves as a monarch caterpillar host, while the flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies. Mature plants typically reach about 3 to 4 feet tall.

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a tall native perennial covered with purple to pink flowers and golden centers in late summer and fall. It grows best in full sun to partial light with moist, well-drained soil and works well in meadows, rain gardens, and pollinator borders. The late flowers supply nectar for bees, butterflies, and migrating monarchs. Mature plants commonly reach 3 to 6 feet tall.

Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a native perennial ground cover with bright wine-purple, cup-shaped flowers. It thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soil, making it a strong choice for rock gardens, borders, and water-wise plantings. The trailing stems form a low mat and bloom from summer into early fall. Its flowers provide forage for bees and other pollinators.

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) is a native perennial with flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring to early summer. It grows well in moist to mesic meadows, open woods, and woodland edges in full sun to partial light. The flowers provide early forage for bees and butterflies, while the upright foliage adds structure to native plantings. Plants typically reach about 18 to 24 inches tall 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.

The Panorama Bee Balm is a great cutting plant for center pieces. This beautiful flower blooms from July to August on 3' foot plants. This bee balm prefers full sun or afternoon shade.