PERENNIAL FOCUS

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Bellflower

Compact flowering plants like this Genti White bellflower can have scores of bees working the plant at the same time. Clusters of tightly grouped, pure white, bell-shaped flowers bloom profusely through the summer. Remember, large blocks of the one plant are more attractive to pollinators than ‘one each of everything.’ So plant this one in a mass of many. Zones 4–8.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies

Pictured: Genti White Bellflower

BUSH CLEMATIS

Hummingbirds love tubular flowers, especially pendant-shaped blooms that nod downward, as this helps stop nectar from being diluted by rain. This new bush-type clematis has indigo blue flowers that are larger and more prolific than similar varieties. After blooming, silvery seed heads develop, lasting into early winter, feasted on by migrating birds. Zones 3–9.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, hoverflies, bees

Pictured: Blue Ribbons Bush Clematis

Potentilla

Plants with a long flowering period are especially valuable to bees. During bad weather, they cannot leave their hive which can result in completely missing a short flowering period. These sweet little shrubs (only 3-ft. tall and wide — so useful!) blooms from spring through fall and their flat, open petals make it easy to drink up. Zones 3–8.

Attracts: Honeybees, native bees, moths, hoverflies

Pictured: Gingersnap Potentilla

AJUGA

Low-growing groundcovers with early blooms provide a special service to bees, especially honey bees. Honey bees cannot pollinate with winds over 25mph, so the lower the food source during windy spring weather, the better. The pictured Chocolate Chip Ajuga is a dwarf evergreen groundcover. It creates a tight mat of bronze-tinged foliage with purple spring flowers. Zones 4–9.

Attracts: Honey bees and native bees

Pictured: Chocolate Chip Ajuga