Top 21 Shrubs for Pollinators

Bees are very opportunistic. They’ve a number of work to do in gathering pollen and nectar, and they’re very critical about this job. They’re additionally effectivity specialists, so they are going to hunt down areas the place they will acquire the utmost quantity of assets within the closest proximity. Enter shrubs for pollinators. 

Flowering herbaceous crops are pretty and a good way to watch the occasional bumblebee or butterfly. Nevertheless, when drawing the utmost variety of bees to the backyard, flowering shrubs are a surefire strategy to carry them in and preserve them coming again. 

When deciding on flowering crops to your pollinator backyard, bee imaginative and prescient is one thing to contemplate. Bees see a broader vary of colours than people as they see ultraviolet mild. This makes flowers within the blue and violet shade household essentially the most interesting varieties for bees. 

Bees don’t see purple. As an alternative, it seems to them as black, which they view as a possible menace and keep away from. Hummingbirds, nonetheless, favor the colour purple, guaranteeing it nonetheless has worth to your backyard. 

I’d like to deal with the query of native vs. non-native crops relating to pollinator gardening. Whereas it’s important for some native species, significantly butterflies, that sure native crops be current, this isn’t the case for honeybees. 

All honeybee species in North America are non-native bees imported from Eurasia and naturalized right here. Whereas they actually won’t flip up their noses at native nectar and pollen crops, they don’t want completely native crops to thrive. 

Native bees (lots of that are endangered), nonetheless, want the presence of native crops to outlive. In brief, a combination of native and non-native pollen and nectar sources will present most bees with the required assets. Listed below are 21 flowering shrubs that can carry a mess of bees to your backyard.

American Beautyberry

	botanical identify Callicarpa americana
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 8’-12’
	hardiness zones 7-11

American Beautyberry is an all-around fantastic shrub for wildlife and is gorgeous, too! This fast-growing shrub explodes right into a flower through the early summer time months. Clusters of pale pink blooms are filled with energy-boosting nectar for pollinators. 

This plant attracts each bees and butterflies in summer time, and pollination results in one thing really fantastic. As summer time attracts to an in depth, the inexperienced berries that seem after the flowers fall will ripen to a deep, wealthy magenta. These beautiful clusters of berries keep on the bush lengthy after the leaves have turned from inexperienced to gold and fallen to the bottom. 

Overwintering birds will flock to your yard for these tasty berries which are additionally edible for people. As a bonus, this plant is native to a big part of the southeastern United States. It is usually the host plant for the spring azure butterfly. This plant helps the ecosystem in a wide range of methods.

Blackberry

	botanical identify Rubus fruticosus
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 4-8

My favourite factor about blackberry bushes is the scrumptious berries they produce. A detailed second, although, is how a lot the bees appear to benefit from the blossoms. As a beekeeper and a blackberry bush proprietor, I all the time discover it very satisfying to see the honey bees having fun with blackberry blossoms as a result of it means extra fruit for my household and fantastic honey for me and the bees!

The easygoing nature of blackberry bushes makes them an incredible addition to the backyard. They want little or no care, and with little apart from some spring fertilizer, these shrubs virtually take care of themselves. Thornless varieties make harvesting fruits a lot simpler. 

Butterfly Bush

	botanical identify Buddleia davidii
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 5’-10’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Butterfly bush isn’t only for butterflies, though they like it. This shrub produces a considerable quantity of nectar, which attracts bees of every kind for the vitality increase that this plant reliably offers. 

Its lengthy blooming season makes the butterfly bush fascinating for a pollinator backyard. Blooms can start to seem in early summer time and final by means of the autumn. These giant, colourful clusters of flowers are helpful in addition to lovely. 

Though not choosy about soil kind, butterfly bushes want full solar to supply flowers. They’re straightforward to develop, however poor drainage would be the demise of those shrubs. Correct drainage is a should. This plant is invasive in lots of areas, so select a sterile cultivar to keep away from self-seeding.  

Buttonbush

	botanical identify Cephalanthus occidentalis
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 6’-12’
	hardiness zones 5-11

Buttonbush has an in depth native vary in North America, so for gardeners involved with sustaining a local ecosystem, it is a nice plant. It’s a host plant to many species of butterflies and moths, proving irresistible to each native and honey bees. 

This summer time bloomer produces puffy white flower clusters made up of many smaller flowers. The white blooms are aromatic and nectar-rich and make for wonderful honey. 

Develop buttonbush in soil that’s constantly moist. This plant likes moisture and is completely glad in low-lying and moist areas. You may discover a buttonbush rising wild alongside a riverbank or subsequent to a pond. 

Daphne

	botanical identify Daphne
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top as much as 15’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Winter bloomers are particularly vital to pollinator populations. Many pollinators hibernate or migrate to hotter areas within the winter, however those who don’t want to search out meals sources within the colder months. Daphne is a wonderful shrub for offering overwintering bees with a supply of pollen and nectar.

This might be one of many earliest spring-blooming shrubs within the backyard, so when bees start to emerge from their hibernation intervals, they are going to flock to daphne shrubs in search of worthwhile vitamins to start rebuilding their populations for the yr forward. 

Daphne crops like full solar and well-drained soil. Ensure that to water them through the winter months, and provides them a thick layer of mulch to guard the roots from a tough freeze. They will tolerate chilly climate, however an prolonged exhausting freeze could trigger some harm.

Guelder Rose

	botanical identify Viburnum opulus
	solar necessities Full solar to full shade
	top as much as 25’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Guelder rose shouldn’t be a real rose however a species of viburnum and a member of the honeysuckle household. It’s a giant and fast-growing shrub that makes a pleasant privateness display screen and offers a number of meals for pollinators and wild birds.

In late spring, bountiful clusters of white or pink flowers could have the bees buzzing a contented tune. Bees love to remain busy, and the sheer quantity of flowers on a guelder rose shrub will do this for them. Purple berries comply with the flowers and supply meals for birds within the fall. 

Hawthorn

	botanical identify Crataegus
	solar necessities Full solar
	top Varies extensively, as much as 50’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Hawthorns will be shrubs or timber, relying on the variability and the way you prune them. They’re engaging to all species of bees and are sometimes planted in fruit orchards to extend yield by drawing in pollinators in droves. 

Late spring is blooming time for hawthorns, and so they produce pretty white blossoms in nice numbers. Many several types of pollinators go to these flowers, however none are as keen on the plant as bees. Each native and non-native solitary or colony bees love hawthorn blossoms. 

Hebe

	botanical identify Veronica speciosa
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 6’
	hardiness zones 7-11

This pretty native to New Zealand is a splendidly versatile evergreen plant. Give this shrub loads of natural materials within the soil, and plant in full solar for bushier progress. As soon as it’s established, Hebe has very manageable wants. 

Hebes are available in a wide range of foliage and flower colours. They bloom in summer time and fall, offering a worthwhile meals supply for bees through the dearth that sometimes comes on the finish of summer time. The purple and blue flowered varieties are significantly well liked by all species of bees. 

Hibiscus

	botanical identify Hibiscus
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top as much as 20’
	hardiness zones 4-12

Many individuals consider tropical crops when hibiscus is talked about, however some sorts of hibiscus are chilly hardy, and so they all have one factor in frequent. All of them have giant, nectar and pollen-rich flowers that pollinators love to go to. 

In tropical climates, hibiscus is evergreen and may flower practically year-round. In cooler climates, hibiscuses are summer-blooming deciduous shrubs that lose their leaves in winter and generally die again to the bottom. Some hardy varieties have very cold-tolerant roots.

Plant these flowering bushes in full solar and fertilize them recurrently for the utmost variety of flowers throughout their blooming season. These flowers are sure to catch the attention of passing bees. Hummingbirds are very keen on hibiscus flowers as effectively. 

Lavender

	botanical identify Lavandula
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Lavender is a kind of crops that draws all sorts of bees with its soothingly aromatic flowers. People aren’t the one ones who favor the scent of this Mediterranean herb; bees are very keen on lavender as effectively, and they’re going to exit of their strategy to discover it. Regardless of how tiny the person flowers are on a lavender plant, they’re filled with pollen and nectar. 

Plant your lavender in full solar and poor soil. Lavender doesn’t prefer to be fertilized and may be very drought tolerant. It is a plant that may simply be killed with kindness. Neglecting your lavender is best than overwatering or giving it an excessive amount of care. 

Lavender is a small, shrubby plant that may develop fairly giant, as much as three ft tall. Maintain your lavender pruned for max blooms. One good factor about this plant is that whereas it attracts bees, it repels wasps and yellow jackets! 

Mahonia

	botanical identify Mahonia
	solar necessities Full solar to full shade
	top 7’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Winter-blooming shrubs have a particular place and relationship within the lives of bees. Most bees semi-hibernate in winter however will set again out looking for meals any time they will tolerate the temperatures. 

Because of this, crops that bloom within the winter months are very important, as they would be the solely crops in bloom when these first bees emerge from their properties. They actually emerge hungry, as lots of them don’t overwinter with a colony and in depth meals shops like honey bees do. 

Mahonia is one in all these winter-blooming shrubs, and the bees like it. Some varieties are aromatic, and others not a lot. These shrubs usually are not choosy about daylight. They’re high quality in nearly any publicity. Prune them within the spring after flowering.

Mock Orange

	botanical identify Philadelphus
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 3’-10’
	hardiness zones 4-8

This shrub doesn’t have a really lengthy bloom time, solely a few weeks. Nevertheless, it is vitally interesting to bees throughout that point due to its simply accessible and aromatic flowers. The plant will get its identify from the similarity of those flowers to orange blossoms, which scent heavenly.

Mock orange flowers are very nectar-rich, attracting a large number of pollinators whereas it’s in bloom. It is a bee magnet. Plant this shrub in full solar for the most effective blooming. Give it unfastened, well-drained soil for finest root growth.

New Zealand Tea Tree

	botanical identify Leptospermum scoparium
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 6’-10’
	hardiness zones 8-10

This pretty evergreen plant is native to New Zealand and performs a singular position in honey manufacturing. Manuka honey is made virtually completely from New Zealand tea tree nectar that’s harvested by honey bees. The shrub blooms in spring with pink or white flowers. The foliage is fragrant when crushed. 

Manuka honey is famend for being the most costly honey on the planet and for its purported therapeutic properties and medicinal makes use of.

Russian Sage

	botanical identify Salvia yangii
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Russian Sage offers an unimaginable quantity of flowers and, subsequently, meals for bees. It is usually very low-maintenance and tolerant of drought and soil sorts, nevertheless it wants full solar to be able to produce the plethora of purple flowers which start blooming in mid-summer and proceed till frost. 

The lengthy and prolific blooming behavior, paired with the colour of the flowers, which is blueish purple, makes this a beautiful plant for feeding the bees. It should constantly be a favourite of theirs within the backyard, as there’s a lot nectar to assemble from every particular person plant. 

Snowberry

	botanical identify Symphoricarpos
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-7

Snowberry is a winner for attracting sweat bees, bumblebees, and honey bees. It produces loads of small, pink, bell-shaped flowers from early to late summer time. Berries comply with the flowers in fall and likewise draw songbirds to the backyard. 

Snowberry may be very adaptable to totally different soil sorts. It’s self-fertile, so just one plant is required to supply fruit.  It might thrive in full solar and partial shade however will flower finest in full solar. This plant may be very drought tolerant as soon as it’s mature. 

Spicebush

	botanical identify Lindera benzoin
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top as much as 8’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Spicebush is finest recognized for its fragrant stems and foliage. When crushed, these components of the plant have a spicy scent. Whereas engaging year-round, the flowers bloom in spring, adopted by inexperienced foliage in summer time that turns yellow within the fall. Purple drupes mature within the fall and supply meals for overwintering birds. 

Due to its early spring blooming behavior, spicebush offers an vital, early meals supply for bees. The flowers are nectar and pollen-rich and bloom in nice numbers, making this an incredible plant for serving to bees preserve vitality. Spicebush can be a number plant to a number of North American butterflies and moths. 

Candy Almond Bush

	botanical identify Aloysia virgata
	solar necessities Full solar
	top 6’
	hardiness zones 8-11

That is one in all my favourite pollinator crops. It begins blooming in summer time, and the flowers proceed till the primary freeze in cooler climates. In Zones 8-9, candy almond bush dies again to the bottom in winter and regrows in spring. In zones 10-11, that is an evergreen plant with an additional lengthy bloom time. 

I by no means stroll previous this plant with out seeing a half dozen bees. Bumble bees and honey bees are particularly fond of those flowers. The perfect factor about this plant is the perfume of the flowers. Although not associated to almonds, the flowers have a perfume that smells like high quality almond cleaning soap. It’s clear and candy and irresistible to pollinators.

Candy Field

	botanical identify Sarcococca
	solar necessities Keen on full shade
	top 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Candy field is an excellent plant for the shade backyard. It thrives in a fan of full shade. This engaging shrub has shiny, deep inexperienced foliage and produces very aromatic white flowers in spring. Not solely is that this plant shade tolerant, however it’s one in all few shade crops that can be fairly drought tolerant.

Flowers seem in January and February, making this an vital meals supply for pollinators, together with queen bumblebees getting ready to boost a brand new colony. The aromatic flowers are small however plentiful and nectar-rich.

Viburnum

	botanical identify Viburnum
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 2-9

Viburnums are a big genus of flowering evergreen and deciduous shrubs. A lot of the deciduous varieties have engaging and colourful fall foliage, though foliage varies extensively amongst species. They bloom finest in full solar however will tolerate partial shade, particularly within the afternoon. Moist, well-drained, and barely acidic soil is their preferrred surroundings, however viburnums aren’t choosy.

Viburnums appeal to many pollinators with their clusters of fairly white flowers in spring. Butterflies and moths, in addition to hoverflies, are all recognized to pollinate these blooms. Relating to bees that favor candy nectar from viburnum flowers, these shrubs are more than likely to draw long-tongued and halictid bees. 

Wild Rose

	botanical identify Rosa
	solar necessities Full solar
	top as much as 6’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Not all rose bushes appeal to bees, however some occur to be among the most tasty on this record. Wild roses, to be particular, and rambling roses particularly, are very engaging to bees. Roses that open totally to show their reproductive components are the best for bees to reap pollen and nectar from. 

Aromatic roses are sometimes going to be extra engaging to pollinators. Nevertheless, bees will keep away from purple roses, as they don’t see the colour and affiliate it with hazard. Bees love roses with excessive pollen content material. This vital supply of protein helps to maintain a colony by means of the winter. 

Willow

	botanical identify Salix
	solar necessities Full solar to partial shade
	top 15’-25’
	hardiness zones 4-10

Willows are a big genus of deciduous timber and shrubs that sometimes favor cooler climates and moist soil. They’re fast-growing and sometimes short-lived, though some species develop fairly giant (50’) and have longer lifespans. 

Flowering catkins seem in late spring and are an excellent supply of pollen. Though willows don’t depend upon bees for pollination, bees are keen on them. 

Mining bees are a quite common customer to willows throughout their blooming season. The perfect sorts of willow crops for bees are these with bigger catkins, equivalent to S. caprea and S. hookeriana.