10 Native Plants to Save Bees in 2025: Transform Your Garden into a Pollinator Paradise

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10 Native Plants to Save Bees in 2025: Transform Your Garden into a Pollinator Paradise  

**The Buzz on Bee Decline—And How Your Garden Can Help**  
Bees pollinate **90% of flowering plants** and **one-third of human food crops**, yet **one-quarter of native U.S. bee species face extinction** due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change . The solution? Native plants. Unlike ornamentals, natives co-evolved with local bees, offering superior nectar, pollen, and habitat. Research confirms **wild native plants attract 37% more pollinators than cultivars** . Here are 10 powerhouse natives to plant now—each a lifeline for struggling bees.  

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### 🌿 1. **Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Monarch caterpillars rely solely on milkweed**, but its nectar-rich flowers also feed **bumblebees, honeybees, and leafcutter bees** .  
- Drought-tolerant blooms provide midsummer nectar when other sources fade .  

**Grow It:**  
- Plant in **full sun, well-drained soil**. Choose species native to your region:  
  - *Asclepias tuberosa* (Butterfly Weed): Orange blooms for dry zones.  
  - *Asclepias incarnata* (Swamp Milkweed): Pink flowers for moist soils .  

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### 🟣 2. **Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- Tubular flowers attract **long-tongued bees like bumblebees** and hummingbirds .  
- New **disease-resistant cultivars** (e.g., *Monarda fistulosa*) bloom all summer .  

**Grow It:**  
- Thrives in **moist soil, sun to partial shade**. Cut back after flowering to boost blooms .  

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### 💙 3. **Borage (Borago officinalis)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Self-seeding annual** with blue, star-shaped flowers that replenish nectar every 2 minutes—perfect for **honeybees and solitary bees** .  
- Blooms from spring through fall, supporting early and late-season foragers .  

**Grow It:**  
- Scatter seeds in **full sun, any soil type**. Edible leaves add zest to salads .  

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### ☀️ 4. **Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Open-pollinated varieties** (e.g., *Helianthus annuus*) offer abundant pollen and nectar. **Specialist bees like the Sunflower Bee** depend on them .  
- Seeds feed birds post-bloom .  

**Grow It:**  
- Plant seeds **directly in ground after frost**. Dwarf varieties suit containers .  

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### 🌾 5. **Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Critical fall nectar source** for bees prepping for winter. Supports **37 specialist bee species** .  
- Ignore allergy myths—pollen is sticky, not wind-borne .  

**Grow It:**  
- Tolerates **poor soil, full sun**. Pair with asters for a fall buffet .  

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### 🌼 6. **Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- Daisy-like centers provide **easy pollen access for short-tongued bees** and butterflies .  
- **Sturdy stems house overwintering bee larvae** .  

**Grow It:**  
- **Avoid double-flowered cultivars**—stick to native *Echinacea purpurea* for pollinator access .  

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### 🌺 7. **California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Early spring blooms rescue hungry bees**. OSU studies show **wild poppies attract 2× more pollinators than cultivars** .  
- Cup-shaped flowers trap warmth, aiding cold-weather bees .  

**Grow It:**  
- Sow seeds in **sandy, well-drained soil**. Thrives in neglect .  

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### 🌿 8. **Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- Flat flower clusters offer **landing pads for tiny bees and hoverflies**.  
- **Minimally modified cultivars** (e.g., *Achillea ‘Moonshine’*) still attract honeybees .  

**Grow It:**  
- Plant in **full sun, drought-prone areas**. Cut spent flowers to prolong bloom .  

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### 🌱 9. **Farewell-to-Spring (Clarkia amoena)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- OSU research found **5x more pollinator visits to wild Clarkia vs. cultivars** due to longer blooms .  
- Vital for **late-spring bees** as other flowers fade .  

**Grow It:**  
- Prefers **cool coastal soils** but adapts to containers .  

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### 🌳 10. **New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)**  
**Bee Benefits:**  
- **Late-fall blooms sustain migrating monarchs and bumblebee queens**.  
- **Deep purple flowers** visible to bees’ UV vision .  

**Grow It:**  
- **Pinch back in July** for bushier fall blooms .  

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### 💧 **Beyond Plants: Pro Tips to Maximize Bee Impact**  
1. **Leave the Ground Bare**: 70% of native bees nest in soil. Avoid mulch in sunny patches .  
2. **Install Bee Baths**: Use shallow dishes with stones for landing pads. Refill daily .  
3. **Skip Pesticides**: Even "bee-safe" herbicides reduce pollinators’ navigational skills .  
4. **Embrace Messiness**: Leave dead stems over winter—they house bee larvae .  

> 🐝 **Key Insight**: Plant in **clusters of 3–5 plants**—bees target dense patches to conserve energy .  

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### 🌎 **Why 2025 Is the Year to Act**  
Biodiversity collapse isn’t inevitable. When University of Maryland researchers tracked gardens with 10+ native species, they found **3x more bee species** than conventional yards. Your garden isn’t just beauty—it’s an **ecological triage unit** .  

**Ready to start?**  
- **Find your natives**: Use Xerces Society’s regional plant lists  or enter your zip code at GardenForWildlife.com .  
- **Join the movement**: Share #NativePlantSelfies to inspire others. Bees—and our future—depend on it.  

> “When the bees are happy, so are the habitats they occupy.” —Eileen Ellsworth, Plant NOVA Natives .

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