The Best Bee-Friendly Plants for Georgia Gardens

The Best Bee-Friendly Plants for Georgia Gardens

Mar 27, 2025 | Wildlife

Bees are some of Georgia’s most essential pollinators, yet they face increasing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. For homeowners looking to cultivate beautiful and eco-friendly gardens, planting bee-friendly plants can provide a non-toxic environment for these critical pollinators, all while enhancing the vibrancy of backyard spaces.

This blog explores the best bee-friendly plants for Georgia gardens, including native flowers, beneficial herbs, and flowering trees and shrubs. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your green-thumb journey, these plant recommendations will help you create an inviting habitat that supports pollinator health.

Recommendations: Bee-Friendly Plants

Why Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden?

Before we dig into plant recommendations, it’s important to highlight why bee-friendly gardens matter:

  • Pollination Power: Bees are responsible for pollinating over 75% of flowering plants and nearly 35% of the food crops we eat.
  • Supporting Biodiversity: Planting for bees cultivates ecosystems that support a variety of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
  • Healthy Landscapes: Bee-friendly gardens eliminate the need for harsh pesticides, creating healthier spaces for homeowners and pets.

By including the right plants, you enable bees to thrive while also enjoying a more stunning, productive backyard. Now, let’s explore the best options for your Georgia garden.

Native Flowers for Pollinators

Georgia’s climate is rich in biodiversity, making it an ideal environment for native flowers. These plants naturally thrive in the region’s soil and climate while offering crucial resources to native bees.

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple Coneflower is a favorite among gardeners and pollinators alike. With its daisy-like petals and vibrant purple hue, this perennial attracts numerous bee species, including bumblebees and carpenter bees. It’s hardy, drought-resistant, and blooms throughout summer, providing lasting nourishment.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
  • Bloom Period: Summer to early fall
  • Benefit: Supports both honeybees and native bees

2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Known for its golden-yellow petals and dark centers, Black-Eyed Susan is a pollinator magnet. These vibrant flowers not only attract bees but also support butterflies and songbirds.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Summer to early fall
  • Benefit: Easy to grow and resilient in Georgia’s warm climate

3. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Coreopsis, often called “tickseed,” is a cheerful perennial that thrives in Georgia gardens. Bees love their bright yellow flowers, which bloom prolifically when exposed to full sunlight.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Spring through fall
  • Benefit: Long-lasting blooms and minimal maintenance

4. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender serves a dual purpose in gardens, offering a soothing fragrance to humans and a rich source of nectar to bees. Its tall, purple flowering spikes are irresistible to a variety of pollinators.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Late spring to early summer
  • Benefit: Deters pests while attracting bees

5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

While most people grow basil for its culinary uses, it’s also a bee-loving herb if allowed to flower. Its small clusters of white or purple blooms provide nutrients for pollinators throughout the season.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Summer
  • Benefit: Combines garden aesthetics with kitchen utility

6. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary’s evergreen foliage and tiny blue blooms make it a favorite in Georgia gardens—both for pollinators and gardeners. Its flowers can appear even in winter, providing much-needed nectar during colder months.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Winter to late spring
  • Benefit: Thrives in Georgia’s well-draining soils

Flowering Trees and Shrubs for Pollinators

Flowering trees and shrubs create a stunning visual centerpiece in your yard while offering significant benefits for pollinators. These larger plants serve as vital food sources and shelter for bees in your region.

1. Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

One of Georgia’s most beloved native trees, the Redbud graces gardens with its vibrant pink blossoms in early spring. Its flowers are among the first food sources for bees after winter hibernation.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
  • Bloom Period: Early spring
  • Benefit: A crucial pollinator food source after winter

2. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

The Tulip Poplar, often referred to as the “bee tree,” features distinct yellow-green flowers that are highly attractive to bees. This towering tree is a staple for pollinators looking for abundant nectar.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun
  • Bloom Period: Late spring
  • Benefit: Provides large amounts of nectar for honeybees

3. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Nothing captures the beauty of Southern gardens quite like the Southern Magnolia. Its large, fragrant white blossoms are not only a visual feast but also a rich nectar source for native pollinators.

  • Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
  • Bloom Period: Spring and summer
  • Benefit: Supports bees while adding elegance to your landscape

Tips for Maintaining a Bee-Friendly Garden

After selecting the right plants, the following tips will ensure your Georgia garden remains a bustling bee haven:

  • Avoid pesticides and herbicides, as these chemicals can harm bees and other beneficial insects.
  • Incorporate a mix of plants that bloom at different times to provide year-round nectar.
  • Include shallow water sources like birdbaths or dishes filled with water and pebbles for hydration.
  • Allow some plants, like herbs, to flower to attract pollinators.

By implementing these practices, you’ll create not just a beautiful garden, but a thriving ecosystem that supports pollinators in the Georgia region.

Create Your Bee-Friendly Oasis

Bee-friendly gardening is more than just a trend—it’s an investment in the environment and the future of pollinators. By planting native flowers, herbs, and flowering trees and shrubs, you’re building a sanctuary for bees while enjoying vibrant blooms, fragrant herbs, and a healthier landscape.

If a beehive has ended up in an unwanted place on your property, our honeybee experts are here to help! Contact our team for eco-friendly pest control solutions to protect both your home and these essential pollinators.

Flowers and Plants That Attract Honeybees

Flowers and Plants That Attract Honeybees

Apr 19, 2022 | Pest Control

When you’re planning and planting your garden this year, every homeowner should consider adding some plants that attract honeybees to your yard. Allowing honeybees to enter your yard can help assist them with the very important job they have – pollinating. Honeybees alone can pollinate up to 80 percent of all flowering plants, including fruits and vegetables. It’s vital to give them the space they need to complete this task.

Honeybees have incredible ultraviolet vision. They are unable to see the color red but can see colors that are on the ultraviolet spectrum. They can also use odor cues to locate flowers nearby. Many flowers attract bees, including bee balm, echinacea, snapdragon, hostas, and evening primrose. Continue reading to discover which flowers you should plant in your garden next.

  • Bee Balm: This fragrant foliage is also known as wild bergamot and will attract these little pollinators to your yard. Keep these planted in a sunny spot for spring and summer blooms.
  • Marigold: These golden flowers are typically planted alongside food-producing plants to keep unwanted pests away, but they still attract honeybees to the area. This will help aid in the growth of your other plants.
  • Mint: This is a great herb that any gardener should keep in their garden, but it is also a good attractant for honeybees. Don’t forget to place this herb in a pot by itself, as it is known to choke nearby plants.
  • Pansy: These year-round flowering plants love the cool weather, so it’s best to plant them in early fall and spring. They are great for an added touch of color and keep the bees happy.
  • Lavender: Bees love this fragrant plant and will make a beeline for it. Lavender also provides many other benefits for your health and can be used in many recipes.
  • Sunflower: These flowers are best planted in the spring for summer blooms. They can be placed in the back of the garden or dispersed throughout, but they supply a great place for honeybees to work.

These are just a few of the flowers that attract honeybees to your garden to help elevate pollinating. Making sure honeybees have a place to work is important for all humans and the environment. Even planting just one of these plants in your yard is enough to assist the bees.

If you notice a bee colony is nearby and needs to be moved to a safer location, then reach out to your local pest control company that can provide a safe bee relocation.

What Happens During the Bee Relocation Process?

What Happens During the Bee Relocation Process?

Apr 12, 2022 | Pest Control

At Northwest, we know how important all bees are and we understand just how fragile their ecosystem truly is. Our Honeybee Relocation Program is designed to protect these important pollinators, while also protecting you and your family.

If you see an increase in bee activity near your home, contacting a local relocation service is the first step in protection. What happens during these relocations, though? Many important steps occur during the honeybee relocation process to ensure the safety of all bees. Keep reading to discover how this process works.

Inspecting & Locating

The very first step after contacting a bee relocation service is the inspection of the hive location. Our honeybee experts complete a home inspection to help identify the type of bee and determine how the hive is holding up. This inspection helps the team determine the best plan of action for the safest removal possible.

Honeybee Removal

After determining where the hive is located, the removal process begins. The team carefully removes the honeybees from their hive. After the bees have been removed, the team will then remove the hive. Depending on where the hive is located, our team decides which method is needed in the hive removal process.

Honeybee Relocation

The relocation process is the next step, and some say it’s the most important step in the whole process. Honeybees benefit from being relocated in many ways, including preventing further infestations, and it helps preserve plant reproduction. The bees that we help are relocated to a local beekeeper’s farm to continue pollination and honey production. Relocation is a way for their local honey to be enjoyed by the community, helping aid humans against seasonal allergies.

If you believe you have a honeybee hive on your property and it’s closer than you would like it to be, then reach out to your local bee relocation company and they will be able to assist you in the relocation of these beneficial insects.

Honeybees & Their Importance

Honeybees & Their Importance

Mar 24, 2021 | Pest Control

Honeybees are extremely beneficial to our entire environment for their role in pollination. These bees help with the growth and reproduction of plants and each bee can pollinate more than 100 crops! It’s important to understand why these insects are important and how we can best protect them moving forward.

There are three types of honeybees: adult workers, drones, and the queen. The adult worker bees, who are all female, are all infertile. Their main role in the colony is to collect pollen and nectar. The worker bees do have barbed stingers and, while they aren’t typically aggressive, they will sting if they feel threatened. Drones are male bees and do not have stingers, nor do they collect nectar. Their primary role is to mate with the queen bee. Queen bees are slightly larger than worker bees. The queen bee plays a vital role in the bee colony, as she is the only bee who can produce more honeybees.

Honeybees are active pollinators and will produce honey. Since these insects are the only social insects, their colonies can survive for many years, with an individual colony containing anywhere between 20,000 to 80,000 bees. If the colony’s size gets too large for the available hive space or the queen begins to fail, the bees will start swarming. While these bees aren’t aggressive, they will attack when they feel like their colony is being threatened.

The production of honey by honeybees is extremely important to the environment. Since honey does not have an expiration date, it can be used and reused several times. Honey also has medical benefits, from healing burns to fighting some allergies. Honeybees, as we know, help pollinate crops, which in turn helps us produce and reproduce the plants and food we use to survive.

While bees have positive effects on our environment, some people can be a little wary of them on their property. Protecting these insects is crucial, and it’s recommended that the first and only treatment for these bees is removing and relocating them and their hives by local beekeepers. If you notice you have a honeybee colony on your property, reach out to a pest control company that can provide safe relocation for these insects.

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