Do · Garden Pledge quest
How to plant a bee garden: an easy pollinator garden guide
You don't need a farm to help bees. One sunny pot or a small patch of flowers can feed bees all season. Follow these 7 steps, take the Garden Pledge, then come back when your flowers are in the ground.
7 steps to a bee-friendly garden
Pick a sunny spot
Bees love sun. A spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight is ideal, and even a pot on a balcony or windowsill counts.
Choose flowers that bloom all season
Plan for something in flower in spring, summer and fall so bees always have food. Native plants from your area are best because local bees evolved with them.
Plant in clumps
Group 3 or more of the same flower together. A big patch of one color is easier for bees to find than single plants scattered around.
Pick simple, open flowers
Single-petal flowers are easy for bees to reach. Fancy "double" flowers often have extra petals that hide the pollen and nectar.
Skip the pesticides
Many bug sprays harm bees. Let ladybugs and birds help with pests, and pull weeds by hand.
Leave a little wild space
Most native bees nest in bare ground or hollow stems. Leave a patch of uncovered soil and some old plant stems over winter.
Add a bee water bar
Fill a shallow dish with water and pebbles so bees can land and drink without falling in. Refresh it every few days.
Bee-friendly plants by season
| When | Bees love |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wild lupine, crocus, redbud trees, fruit trees, clover |
| Summer | Bee balm, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, sunflower, lavender, borage |
| Fall | Asters, goldenrod, sedum, Mexican sunflower |
| Herbs (let them flower!) | Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, mint, chives |
| Pots & small spaces | Lavender, salvia, marigold, zinnia, rosemary |
Tip: the best plants are native to where you live. Ask a local nursery or native plant society what grows well in your area.
Take the Garden Pledge
Tick at least 3 things you'll do, then make your pledge. Your pledge joins the Hive's count.
Planted something real?
When your bee flowers are in the ground (or in a pot), claim your biggest badge. It's on your honor, just like a real Keeper of the Hive.
— real gardens planted by the Hive so far · — pledges
Frequently asked questions
What flowers attract bees the most?
Bees love open, single flowers in blue, purple, yellow and white, like bee balm, lavender, sunflowers, coneflowers, asters and herbs left to bloom. Native plants from your region are the best choice.
Can I make a bee garden in a pot?
Yes. A sunny pot of lavender, salvia, zinnias or flowering herbs feeds bees on a balcony or windowsill.
Do bee gardens bring more stings?
Bees out foraging on flowers are focused on food and rarely sting. Give them space, don't swat, and enjoy watching.
Sources
- USDA Forest Service, What's the Buzz on… Planting a Bee Garden (S. Buchmann)
- USGS, The Bee Lab: "Plant flowers!… one bush or one clump of perennials is often all it takes"
- USDA Forest Service and Pollinator Partnership, Bee Basics