CREATE A SPACE WHERE BEES CAN THRIVE.

To attract an exciting diversity of bee species, it helps to have an array of flower shapes, sizes and colors to accommodate their various physical adaptations and preferences. If you have the space, flowering shrubs and trees provide an abundance of beneficial blooms too. See the regional planting map at the bottom of this page for specific suggestions based on where you live.

Most of these harm bees and have widespread effects detrimental to plants, beneficial insects and other native pollinators. The good news is, bee-friendly gardens are naturally healthy gardens! Learn more about pesticide-free ways to control weeds and problem pests.

When shopping for seeds or mature plants, make sure they haven’t been treated with harmful pesticides like neonicotinoids. Ask your local nursery or garden center, or look for a pesticide policy on the grower’s website.

They’re also adapted to grow well in your local environmental conditions. Not only that, native plants provide food and nesting sites for all kinds of wildlife, along with serving as host plants for various butterflies and moths. Browse our regional planting map below for ideas, but it’s also helpful to reach out to your county extension office or state’s native plant society for more info specific to your area. Visiting local botanical gardens and arboretums can provide inspiration too.

To feed the different species and support their life cycles, you’ll want your garden full of blooms from spring through fall (or year-round, if you live in a warm climate with mild winters). Having at least three different types of plants in bloom each season will ensure a constant food source for bees, and constant beauty for you.

Most bees will only visit one type of plant species on each foraging trip (a behavior called floral constancy), so these large patches make it worth their while. But if your space is limited — for instance, only a small patio or balcony — a few wildflowers or herbs in a planter or window box still provides a helpful pit stop for pollinators!

So in addition to having plenty of nectar and pollen sources, you’ll want to provide natural nest habitat nearby too. Bees need shelter protected from predators and the elements, and most importantly a safe place for the females to lay their eggs and ensure future generations.

For ground-nesting bees, leave some bare soil that remains undisturbed in a sunny, well-draining area. A small brush pile or designated “wild corner” of your yard will provide shelter too. And for the 30% of bees that nest in cavities, leave hollow plant stems or a couple of old logs. Don’t tidy up your yard too much in the fall — those leaf piles and other plant material provide vital overwintering habitat for native pollinators. Learn more about native bees and ways to help them.

If you grow any of these for your own culinary uses, leave the plant intact after you harvest what you need. When they’re done for the season, let them bolt to please the bees. Or, just plant a few extras for the pollinators to have all to themselves.

Mason bees may use it to make the mud to seal their nest cells. Offer a shallow source of fresh water (like a bird bath or small saucer) and include some stones or sticks to serve as landing pads since bees can’t swim. Other insects will appreciate the hydration station too. Clean and refill it regularly to keep the water from becoming stagnant.

Whatever you do, don’t spray them with toxic herbicides! Keep in mind that certain plants often perceived as pesky weeds are actually beneficial native plants — such as common blue violet, goldenrod and milkweed.

This presents a stark scene for bees (not to mention the environmental impact of all the mowing, watering and chemical applications to maintain those “lush” grass lawns). Support pollinators and biodiversity by converting sections of turf grass into flowering ground cover, landscaping beds or a mini-meadow. Hopefully you’ll inspire your neighbors to do the same! Learn more about keeping your lawn naturally healthy.