What Color Flowers Do Bees Like?

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Let's face it…pollinators are really important little creatures. Without them, you can kiss your morning cup of coffee good-bye!

Coffee is just one plant that produces up to 50% better with visits from bees. One out of every three bites we eat need this support, and your local bees need your help!

Why Do Bees Help Humans?
Plant More Flowers for Bees
Flower Colors Attract Bees and Other Pollinators
So…What Color Do Bees Prefer?
Bees Are Picky Eaters
- More Resources From NatureHills.com

Why Do Bees Help Humans?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (our favorite department!) bees and other pollinators contribute to over $18 billion worth of crop production a year in this country alone! In fact, over 100 types of crops in the United States must be pollinated to produce food.

The global number is truly staggering. Pollinators like bees are responsible for 35% of the world's food crops.

So what can you do to help? Plant an abundance of flowers for these hard-working "flying farmers" to visit and gather their nectar.

After all, a bee has to eat to keep up its important work. What a win-win…a pretty landscape for you with flowers in your garden; and plenty of food for your local pollinators.

Plant More Flowers for Bees

You're in the right spot for honey bee conservation, as we use Plant Sentry™ to protect your local environment from invasive plants and pests that might harm their ecosystem. As well, Nature Hills Nursery is proud of the sheer number of flowering plants we offer for sale online.

You'll find plenty of native trees, shrubs and flowers for your balcony or yard. In addition, you'll also find Extended Bloomers that flower from spring through fall!

Flower Colors Attract Bees and Other Pollinators

Let's face it, plants are pretty smart. The flower has got to be one of the best evolutionary strategies for long-term survival…ever!

Bees evolved before the birth of seed-bearing plants called angiosperms. Because today's plants compete with many other neighboring blooms for their fair share of the pollinators; they started developing wild flowers to attract the bees' compound eyes.

Plants produce a plethora of flower forms, scents, color and markings. Take the Azalea's vibrant blotched throat as an example; or the enormous blooming panicles of Lilac composed of hundreds of tiny, nectar-rich true flowers that offer a "one-shop" bee buffet!

Bees' mouthparts include jaws and a hollow, hairy tongue (called a proboscis) for sipping nectar. The elaborate, tubular blooms of Bee Balm (Monarda) are perfectly coevolved to entice bees closer.

So…What Color Do Bees Prefer?

While each bloom may also be displaying ultraviolet markings unseen by the human eye; there are several reputed studies done on bee's favorite flowers; testing for brightness, chroma and hue. The following colors seem to attract the most types of bees, whether they be: mason bees, orange-legged furrow bees, honey bees or one of the native bumble bees:

Yellow
Purple
Blue
White

Use the search bar at NatureHills.com to find your favorites. We offer the species of many of these plants; along with improved, showy nativar and cultivars to populate your Pollinator Gardens.

Best Yellow Flowers for Bees

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Goldenrod (Solidago)

Potentilla

St. John's Wort (Hypericum)

Oregon Grape (Mahonia)

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

Best Purple & Blue Flowers for Bees

Salvia

Gayfeather (Liatris)

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia)

Chaste tree (Vitex)

Best White Flowers for Bees

McKay's White Potentilla

Blackberry bushes (Rubus)

Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum)

Viburnum bushes

Hedge Cotoneaster

White Flowering Chives (Allium)

Best Flowering Trees for Bees

Linden trees (Tilia cordata, common name Basswood)

Sourwood trees (Oxygendrum)

Black Gum trees (Tupelo)

Maybe you've heard of Tupelo honey? Bees love these wildlife-friendly trees and they are a treasure, for sure!

Bees Are Picky Eaters

Please remember, if you plant it…bees can CHOOSE to come. They tend to have gourmet appetites, and will choose their very favorite flowering plant to visit.

No wonder why flowers are so pretty! They are all trying to outshine each other to coax the bees to visit.

At least when you plant blooms in the bees' favorite colors…you'll adore the way your yard looks! Enjoy shopping on our site, and please let us know if you have any plant questions.

More Resources From NatureHills.com

Create a Beautifully Useful Pollinator Gardens

Top Flowering Plants to Help Pollinators

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I plant bee balm for maximum bee attraction in USDA zone 5?

Plant bee balm in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil during late spring after the last frost, typically mid to late May in zone 5. Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and prevent powdery mildew. Choose native varieties like wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) which are particularly hardy in zone 5 and bloom from July through September when bees need nectar most. Water regularly during establishment but avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry and healthy.

What soil conditions and sunlight do purple coneflowers need to thrive and draw bees?

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea) thrive in USDA zones 3-9 and prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0, though they tolerate poor soils and drought once established. They need full sun (6+ hours daily) for maximum flowering and bee attraction, but will tolerate partial shade with reduced blooms. Plant them 18-24 inches apart in spring after the last frost date. Choose a sunny location with average to sandy soil, and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot while establishing these reliable bee magnets.

When is the best time to sow California poppy seeds for summer bee foraging?

For optimal summer bee foraging, sow California poppy seeds in early spring after the last frost date, typically March through May in zones 3-10. In warmer zones 8-10, you can also direct sow in fall for earlier blooms. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep in well-draining soil and space them 6-8 inches apart. Choose a sunny location and avoid overwatering, as these drought-tolerant natives perform best in lean, dry conditions once established.

How do I deadhead yellow sunflowers to prolong blooming and keep bees visiting in zone 7?

To deadhead yellow sunflowers in zone 7, cut spent blooms back to the first set of healthy leaves or side bud using clean pruning shears, doing this every 3-5 days during peak summer blooming season. For branching varieties, this encourages new flower production and keeps bees visiting through September. Leave some late-season flowers to go to seed, as bees also value the pollen from maturing seed heads. Check plants weekly and remove only fully spent blooms while buds are still forming.

What colors of flowers are bees most attracted to?

Bees are most attracted to flowers in yellow, purple, blue, and white colors, as these wavelengths are most visible to their compound eyes. Yellow flowers like Black-Eyed Susans and purple blooms such as Salvia and Lavender consistently draw the highest bee activity throughout the growing season. Plant a succession of these colored flowers that bloom from spring through fall to provide continuous nectar sources for your local pollinators.

Which flowers should I avoid planting if I want to attract bees?

Avoid planting flowers in red tones, as bees cannot see red wavelengths and often overlook these blooms. Double-flowered varieties like double petunias and heavily bred roses should also be avoided since their multiple petals make it difficult for bees to access nectar and pollen. Skip heavily fragrant flowers bred primarily for human enjoyment, such as highly hybridized garden roses, as these often lack the nectar resources bees need. Focus instead on single-flowered varieties in yellow, purple, blue, and white that bloom from spring through fall.

Which flowers attract both bees and butterflies?

Many native wildflowers attract both bees and butterflies, including purple coneflowers (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans, and bee balm, which bloom from mid-summer through fall in zones 3-9. Butterfly bushes and lavender also draw both pollinators with their fragrant, nectar-rich blooms that provide sustained food sources. Plant these flowers in clusters of 3-5 plants spaced 18-24 inches apart in full sun locations for maximum pollinator appeal.

What scents do bees prefer in flowers?

Bees are attracted to sweet, mild fragrances rather than heavy or overpowering scents, with native wildflowers and herbs like lavender, bee balm, and wild bergamot ranking among their favorites. They also prefer flowers with light, fresh fragrances that bloom during peak foraging hours from mid-morning through early evening. Plant fragrant natives suited to your hardiness zone and group the same varieties together in clusters of 3-5 plants to create concentrated scent trails that bees can easily detect and follow.

What are the best early-season bloomers to attract bees?

Early-season bloomers like crocuses, snowdrops, and pussy willows (zones 3-8) provide critical nectar when bees emerge from winter dormancy in late February through April. Fruit trees including apple, cherry, and serviceberry offer abundant blooms in March and April, while native shrubs like spicebush and redbud bloom before most perennials awaken. Plant a mix of bulbs, flowering trees, and early-blooming shrubs to ensure continuous nectar sources from late winter through late spring.

What late-season flowers should I plant for bees preparing for winter?

Late-season flowers like asters, goldenrod, and sedum provide crucial nectar when bees are building winter stores from August through October. Fall-blooming sunflowers and Joe Pye weed also offer abundant pollen sources during this critical period. Plant these perennials in spring for established blooms by fall, spacing them 18-24 inches apart in zones 4-9. Choose varieties that bloom sequentially to extend the feeding period through the first frost.