20 Flowers That Attract Butterflies and Bees

Bees and butterflies are some of the most welcome visitors a garden can have. They bring movement and life, and they play a vital role in pollinating plants, including many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. Choosing the right pollinator flowers is one of the simplest ways to help them, whether you have a large garden or a few pots on a balcony.

This list covers 20 flowers that bees and butterflies love, grouped by when they bloom so you can offer food from early spring to late autumn. Native plants are especially valuable, so where possible, choose species that grow naturally in your region.

Early Spring Flowers for Pollinators

Bees that emerge on the first warm days of the year need food quickly. These early bloomers are a lifeline.

1. Crocus – Among the first flowers of the year, crocuses offer pollen and nectar to early bumblebees and other bees. Plant them in lawns or under deciduous trees.
2. Lungwort – Pulmonaria has pink and blue flowers in early spring that are particularly popular with long-tongued bees, such as hairy-footed flower bees in Europe.
3. Hellebore – The open, nodding flowers of hellebores provide nectar and pollen in late winter, when very little else is available. Choose varieties with open faces.
4. Allium – Ornamental onions produce globes of tiny flowers in late spring and early summer. Bees crawl all over them, collecting nectar from each floret.

Summer Favourites for Bees and Butterflies

Summer is peak season for pollinators, and these flowers are among the busiest in any garden.

1. Lavender – Lavender is a magnet for bumblebees, honeybees and butterflies on sunny days. English lavender varieties are especially popular with bees.
2. Catmint – Nepeta forms soft mounds of blue-purple flowers that bloom for weeks. Cut back after the first flush for a second wave of flowers for bees.
3. Borage – An easy annual herb with star-shaped blue flowers that refill with nectar quickly. Bees visit it constantly, and it self-seeds readily.
4. Salvia – Many salvias, from perennial Salvia nemorosa to tender varieties, provide abundant nectar. Their tubular flowers attract bees and, in the Americas, hummingbirds too.
5. Coneflower – Echinacea purpurea has wide, daisy-like flowers that give butterflies a perfect landing pad. Leave the seed heads in autumn for birds.
6. Butterfly bush – Buddleja davidii is famous for drawing butterflies, but it is invasive in some regions, including parts of the US, UK and Australia. Choose sterile or non-invasive cultivars, check local guidance and deadhead before it sets seed.
7. Sunflower – Single-flowered sunflowers offer pollen and nectar to bees, and later provide seeds for birds. Avoid pollenless cut-flower varieties if pollinators are your aim.
8. Phacelia – Often sown as a green manure, phacelia has curled clusters of lavender-blue flowers rich in nectar. It is one of the best annuals for bees.

Late Summer and Autumn Nectar Sources

Late-season flowers help bees build reserves and give migrating butterflies fuel for the journey.

1. Sedum – Flat heads of pink flowers in late summer and autumn are covered in butterflies and bees on warm days. It thrives in dry, sunny spots.
2. Aster – Autumn asters, also called Michaelmas daisies, are a vital late source of nectar. Their purple and blue flowers attract butterflies and many bee species.
3. Goldenrod – Native to North America, goldenrod supports a huge range of pollinators in late summer and autumn. Choose well-behaved garden varieties, as wild types can spread.
4. Verbena bonariensis – Tall, see-through stems topped with small purple flower clusters loved by butterflies. It self-seeds freely and is considered invasive in some warm regions, so check locally.
5. Joe Pye weed – A tall North American perennial with large dusky-pink flower heads that attract swallowtails and other butterflies in late summer.

Native Plants That Support Whole Life Cycles

Butterflies need more than nectar. Their caterpillars need host plants, and native species often support the widest range of insects.

1. Milkweed – In North America, milkweed species are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars, and the flowers also feed many adult pollinators. Choose a species native to your area.
2. Bee balm – Monarda has shaggy red, pink or purple flowers loved by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Its leaves have a pleasant minty fragrance.
3. Cornflower – A traditional wildflower of European fields with bright blue flowers that offer nectar to bees and butterflies. It is easy to grow from seed in sunny spots.

Why Pollinator Flowers Matter

Bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and many other insects carry pollen from flower to flower, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Many pollinator populations have faced pressure from habitat loss, pesticide use and changes in climate. Gardens, parks and balconies can help by providing a patchwork of food and shelter across towns and cities.

Different insects prefer different flower shapes. Bumblebees with long tongues can reach into tubular flowers such as salvias and foxgloves, while shorter-tongued bees and hoverflies prefer open, flat flowers like asters and coneflowers. Butterflies need a place to land, so flat-topped or clustered flowers suit them well. A varied planting supports the widest range of visitors.

Pollinator Flowers for Small Spaces

You do not need a large garden to make a difference. A single large pot of lavender, catmint or salvia on a sunny balcony can feed bees for weeks, and a window box of borage or alyssum gives passing insects a welcome stop. Herbs such as thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary are also excellent for bees when allowed to flower, and they are useful in the kitchen too.

If you share a building or street, consider teaming up with neighbours. Several small planted spaces close together can act like stepping stones, helping insects move through a built-up area to find food and shelter.

Tips for a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

• Choose single-flowered varieties. Double flowers with many extra petals can make nectar and pollen hard or impossible to reach.
• Plant in clumps. Groups of the same flower are easier for bees and butterflies to find and feed from efficiently.
• Avoid pesticides, especially on open flowers. If you must treat a problem, use targeted methods and apply in the evening when pollinators are less active.
• Provide water with a shallow dish filled with pebbles, so insects can drink without drowning.
• Leave some areas a little untidy. Hollow stems, bare soil and leaf litter give nesting and overwintering spots for many insects.
• Aim for flowers in every season, from early spring to late autumn.

Final Thoughts

Pollinator flowers bring colour to your garden and life to your whole neighbourhood. Start with a few plants from each season, avoid chemicals, and you will soon notice more bees humming and butterflies drifting past. Every flower counts, even in the smallest space.