Best plants for attracting honeybees in a garden?

Choosing the Right Plants

When selecting plants for a pollinator-friendly garden, choose a mix of flowers that bloom at different times to provide a constant source of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. For example, a 20x20 foot garden can be divided into four quadrants, each planted with a different set of flowers that bloom at different times. This can include a spring-blooming section with plants like tulips and daffodils, a summer-blooming section with sunflowers and zinnias, an autumn-blooming section with asters and goldenrod, and a year-round blooming section with evergreen shrubs and herbs.

Specific Plant Recommendations

Some of the best plants for attracting honeybees include:

• Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus): These towering flowers are a favorite of honeybees and can provide up to 1 quart of nectar per day.
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): With its fragrance and purple flowers, lavender is a hit with honeybees and can attract up to 200 bees per hour.
• Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.): These drought-tolerant flowers come in a variety of colors and can provide up to 2 quarts of nectar per day.
• Dahlias (Dahlia spp.): These showy flowers come in a range of colors and can provide up to 1 quart of nectar per day.
• Herbs like mint, oregano, and thyme: These fragrant herbs are a favorite of honeybees and can provide a constant source of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season.

Supporting the Bees

In addition to choosing the right plants, it’s also important to consider the needs of the honeybees. This can include providing a source of water, like a shallow dish or birdbath with rocks for landing, and avoiding the use of pesticides and other chemicals that can harm the bees. By creating a pollinator-friendly garden and providing the necessary support, you can help to attract and support a healthy population of honeybees.