What are the best plants for bees in full sun?

Lavender, Salvia, Echinops, Verbena bonariensis and single-flowered Dahlias are reliable; plant single open blooms in drifts and flower in succession.

Do double flowers attract pollinators?

Far less than single ones. Doubles often have their nectaries bred out or buried under extra petals, so choose single, open flowers for bees and butterflies.

Border Builder

Pollinator plants for full sun

Sun-loving plants that feed bees and butterflies.

A sunny border is where you can do the most for bees and butterflies, because they forage in warmth and the best nectar plants are sun-lovers anyway. The aim is not just to plant flowers but to keep them coming: a long, overlapping succession from spring to the first frosts, with single, open blooms rather than blowsy doubles that hide or lack their nectar. Plant in drifts so insects work the patch efficiently, include some umbellifers and daisy-shaped flowers for short-tongued bees, and leave seedheads standing into autumn. Avoid spraying. The plants below are reliable nectar and pollen sources for full sun, chosen to flower in sequence across the season so something is always on offer when pollinators are on the wing.

Border Builder is a garden border planner for iPhone and iPad. Pick from the 991 plants below and it works them into a full plan: how many of each, where they go, and how the bed reads through the seasons.

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Common questions

What are the best plants for bees in full sun?: Lavender, Salvia, Echinops, Verbena bonariensis and single-flowered Dahlias are reliable; plant single open blooms in drifts and flower in succession.
Do double flowers attract pollinators?: Far less than single ones. Doubles often have their nectaries bred out or buried under extra petals, so choose single, open flowers for bees and butterflies.

Related collections

Pollinator-friendly plants Pollinator plants for shade