21 Best Flowers to Attract Bees & Butterflies

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you.

If you want to fill your garden with life, planting flowers to attract bees & butterflies is the way to go. A vibrant mix of nectar-rich blooms will not only beautify your outdoor space but also support pollinators. Growing flowers to attract bees & butterflies ensures these essential creatures thrive while enhancing your garden’s health. From sun-drenched lavender to bright coneflowers, selecting the right flowers to attract bees & butterflies will bring non-stop movement and color. Whether you love watching butterflies flutter or hearing bees buzz, these blossoms make every season more alive.

Some of the best flowers to attract bees & butterflies include fragrant herbs like thyme and mint, cheerful zinnias, and classic milkweed. Planting a mix of native and seasonal varieties creates a steady food source, keeping pollinators happy. Whether you prefer wildflower meadows or neatly arranged garden beds, adding flowers to attract bees & butterfliesmakes a difference. These blooms don’t just offer beauty; they support the ecosystem and encourage more buzzing and fluttering visitors every day.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a classic favorite for pollinators, thanks to their large, nectar-rich centers. Their bright yellow petals act as a beacon for bees and butterflies, guiding them toward the pollen-laden disk florets. As the sun moves throughout the day, these flowers turn to follow its path, making them a dynamic and ever-changing part of any pollinator garden. Sunflowers also provide seeds that attract birds, adding even more life to your garden. Their towering height creates a striking focal point, whether planted in rows or scattered throughout a flower bed.

Thrive in full sunlight
Provide both nectar and pollen for pollinators
Easy to grow and low maintenance

Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb that draws in bees and butterflies with its abundant clusters of tiny purple flowers. The strong, sweet scent makes it a favorite for both pollinators and gardeners alike. Its long blooming period ensures that bees have a reliable nectar source throughout the summer months. Lavender also repels unwanted pests like mosquitoes, making it a practical addition to any outdoor space. The silvery-green foliage adds texture to garden beds, creating a visually appealing contrast with other plants.

Flourishes in well-drained soil and full sun
Highly attractive to honeybees and bumblebees
Produces a soothing aroma and essential oils

Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are sturdy perennials with daisy-like blooms that provide an excellent nectar source for pollinators. Their raised, cone-shaped centers are rich in pollen, drawing in butterflies and a variety of bee species. Available in shades of pink, purple, white, and orange, these flowers add color and texture to garden beds. They are drought-tolerant and thrive in hot, dry conditions, making them ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Once the flowers fade, their seed heads provide food for birds in the winter.

Long-lasting summer blooms
Resistant to drought and heat
Supports butterflies, bees, and birds

Butterfly Bush

The butterfly bush (Buddleia) is well-known for attracting butterflies with its long, arching clusters of fragrant blooms. These flowers come in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue, offering a continuous supply of nectar throughout the growing season. Bees and hummingbirds also frequent the blossoms, making this shrub a pollinator hotspot. While it grows rapidly and can become invasive in some regions, regular pruning helps control its spread. Planted near patios or walkways, it provides a constant flurry of butterfly activity.

Blooms from summer to early fall
Requires well-drained soil and full sun
Pruning encourages more flowers and controlled growth

Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are cheerful, golden-yellow flowers with dark brown centers that serve as landing pads for butterflies and bees. Their long blooming period ensures a steady nectar supply from summer through fall. These hardy perennials thrive in a variety of soil conditions and require minimal upkeep. They also self-seed easily, creating beautiful naturalized areas in gardens and meadows. Their deep roots help prevent soil erosion, making them a practical and ornamental choice for landscaping.

Thrives in both sun and partial shade
Provides nectar for pollinators well into autumn
Tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions

Zinnias

Zinnias are one of the most colorful and easy-to-grow flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Their bright, bold blooms come in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white, offering visual interest throughout the season. Butterflies are especially drawn to their open petals, which provide easy access to nectar. Unlike many perennials, zinnias bloom continuously until the first frost, ensuring a steady food source for pollinators. They also make excellent cut flowers, bringing their vibrant beauty indoors.

Fast-growing and blooms all summer long
Attracts a wide range of butterflies and bees
Grows well in containers, borders, and garden beds

Lilac

Lilacs are fragrant flowering shrubs that bloom in clusters of soft purple, pink, or white blossoms. Their strong perfume and nectar-rich flowers make them a favorite for bees and butterflies in early spring. The dense foliage provides shelter for beneficial insects, contributing to a thriving garden ecosystem. Lilacs prefer cooler climates and require well-drained soil to flourish. Once established, they require little maintenance and return year after year with a profusion of blooms.

Blooms in early spring before many other flowers
Provides nectar for emerging pollinators
Requires minimal care once established

Milkweed

Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, serving as both a nectar source and a host plant for their caterpillars. Its clusters of pink, orange, or white flowers are rich in nectar, attracting a variety of pollinators. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed leaves, which serve as food for the developing caterpillars. These native plants play a crucial role in maintaining butterfly populations and promoting biodiversity. They grow well in both gardens and wildflower meadows, providing a valuable habitat for insects.

Essential for monarch butterfly reproduction
Thrives in sunny meadows and garden beds
Drought-tolerant and low maintenance

Goldenrod

Goldenrod is a late-season bloomer that provides an essential nectar source for bees and butterflies as summer transitions into fall. Its bright yellow flowers grow in tall, airy clusters, adding a pop of color to landscapes. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause allergies—its pollen is too heavy to be carried by the wind. It supports migrating butterflies, including monarchs, as they prepare for their long journeys. Goldenrod also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which help control garden pests.

Blooms in late summer and fall
Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
Hardy and easy to grow in most soil types

Delphinium

Delphiniums are striking perennials known for their tall spikes of blue, purple, and pink flowers. Their showy blooms provide a rich nectar source for bumblebees and butterflies. These plants thrive in cooler climates and require well-drained soil with regular watering. Due to their height, they are often planted along fences or at the back of flower beds for added depth. Their deep blue varieties are particularly rare in the plant world, making them a unique addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.

Adds height and structure to garden beds
Attracts bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies
Prefers cooler temperatures and rich soil

Wild Asters

Wild asters are a late-season favorite for bees and butterflies, blooming in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white. These delicate flowers provide a crucial nectar source in autumn when many other plants have stopped blooming. Their small, daisy-like petals create a soft, whimsical look in gardens and meadows. They grow naturally along roadsides and fields, making them an easy addition to wildflower gardens. Asters also support migrating butterflies, ensuring they have enough energy for their long journeys.

Blooms from late summer to fall
Supports butterflies and bees during migration
Thrives in meadows, borders, and naturalized areas

Snapdragons

Snapdragons add charm to gardens with their uniquely shaped, tubular flowers. Available in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white, they attract both bees and butterflies. Their tall, spiky growth makes them a great choice for adding vertical interest to flower beds. Bees are particularly drawn to their shape, which allows them to crawl inside and access nectar. These flowers thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for spring and fall gardens.

Unique tubular blooms attract pollinators
Grows well in cool temperatures
Adds height and variety to garden beds

Elderberry

Elderberry shrubs produce clusters of tiny white flowers that are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. The blossoms bloom in early summer, offering nectar before many other plants have fully developed. In addition to supporting pollinators, elderberry bushes provide berries that feed birds and other wildlife. Their fast-growing nature makes them a great choice for hedgerows or privacy screens in a garden. Elderberries are also used in homemade syrups and teas, adding an extra benefit to gardeners.

Blooms in early summer for seasonal pollinators
Provides food for both insects and birds
Thrives in moist, well-drained soil

Verbena

Verbena is a low-maintenance flowering plant that produces clusters of small, vibrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, and red. Its long-lasting flowers provide nectar for butterflies and bees throughout the growing season. This plant thrives in dry, hot conditions, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens or containers. The airy, delicate nature of its blooms creates a light and elegant touch in garden spaces. Verbena’s continuous flowering ensures a steady food supply for pollinators well into autumn.

Long-lasting blooms from spring to fall
Tolerant of heat and drought
Attracts a wide variety of pollinators

Daisies

Daisies are a timeless garden favorite with bright white petals and golden-yellow centers. Their simple, open shape makes it easy for bees and butterflies to access nectar and pollen. They thrive in a variety of conditions, from garden beds to wildflower meadows. Daisies also self-seed readily, spreading naturally and creating a lush, pollinator-friendly landscape. Their cheerful appearance adds a touch of brightness to any outdoor space.

Easy to grow and adaptable to many soil types
Provides nectar for both bees and butterflies
Naturalizes easily, creating a self-sustaining habitat

Foxgloves

Foxgloves are tall, dramatic plants with bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. Their tubular blooms are specially designed for bees, allowing them to crawl inside and collect nectar. These biennial plants thrive in shaded areas, making them perfect for woodland gardens. Foxgloves add height and structure to flower beds, complementing other pollinator-friendly plants. While beautiful, they are also toxic to humans and pets, so they should be planted with care.

Tall and striking, adding elegance to gardens
Attracts bees with its tubular flowers
Thrives in partial shade and rich soil

Bee Balm

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is a pollinator magnet with its spiky, firework-like blooms in red, pink, and purple. The rich nectar attracts bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds, making it a must-have for wildlife-friendly gardens. The fragrant foliage adds an extra layer of appeal, emitting a minty scent when touched. This plant thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil and spreads easily, creating lush, colorful clusters. Its resistance to pests and diseases makes it a reliable choice for long-lasting beauty.

High nectar content for a variety of pollinators
Spreads naturally, filling garden beds with color
Fragrant leaves provide additional sensory interest

Lupine

Lupines are striking perennials that produce tall spires of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Their deep taproots help improve soil health by fixing nitrogen, making them beneficial for the entire garden ecosystem. Bees are drawn to their clustered blooms, while butterflies use them as a resting spot. These flowers thrive in cooler climates and prefer well-drained soil with full to partial sun. Their bold vertical presence adds structure to cottage and wildflower gardens.

Improves soil quality while supporting pollinators
Tall flower spikes create vertical interest
Best suited for temperate climates

Coreopsis

Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, is a hardy flowering plant with bright yellow, orange, or red blooms. Its daisy-like flowers provide an abundant nectar source for bees and butterflies throughout the summer. This drought-resistant plant thrives in sandy or rocky soils, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. Its cheerful blossoms attract pollinators while also serving as a food source for seed-eating birds in the fall. Coreopsis flowers continuously, keeping gardens lively and colorful for months.

Drought-tolerant and easy to grow
Provides nectar from spring to late summer
Supports both pollinators and birds

Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks are tall, old-fashioned garden favorites with large, showy blooms in a variety of colors. Their height and abundant flowers create a stunning backdrop for pollinator gardens. Bees are particularly fond of their deep, open blooms, which provide easy access to nectar. Hollyhocks self-seed readily, allowing them to return year after year with minimal effort. Their cottage garden charm makes them a beloved addition to rustic and traditional landscapes.

Attracts bees and butterflies with large, open flowers
Adds vertical beauty to fences and garden walls
Easily reseeds for continuous growth

Catmint

Catmint is a tough, drought-resistant plant with soft lavender-blue flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Its aromatic foliage repels pests while attracting bees and butterflies, making it a dual-purpose plant. The delicate flowers create a hazy, dreamy effect in garden beds and borders. Catmint thrives in poor soil conditions, requiring little water or fertilizer to flourish. Its extended blooming period ensures a steady food supply for pollinators.

Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant
Long-lasting blooms from spring to fall
Repels unwanted pests while supporting pollinators