Question

Give me 50 of the best dearth plants that produce the most flowers, nectar, and good tasting honey for honeybees that can grow in zone 7-8.

Answer 1

Here’s a list of 50 flowering plants that attract honeybees, produce abundant nectar, and are known to contribute to good-tasting honey. These plants are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7-8:

### **Perennials:**

1. **Lavender (Lavandula spp.)**
2. **Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)**
3. **Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)**
4. **Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)**
5. **Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)**
6. **Aster (Aster spp.)**
7. **Catmint (Nepeta spp.)**
8. **Salvia (Salvia spp.)**
9. **Sedum (Sedum spp.)**
10. **Phlox (Phlox paniculata)**
11. **Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)**
12. **Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)**
13. **Borage (Borago officinalis)**
14. **Buddleia (Buddleja davidii)**
15. **Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)**
16. **False Indigo (Baptisia spp.)**
17. **Coneflower (Rudbeckia spp.)**
18. **Monarch Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)**
19. **Liatris (Liatris spp.)**
20. **Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)**

### **Shrubs:**

21. **Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)**
22. **Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)**
23. **Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)**
24. **Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)**
25. **Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)**
26. **Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea)**
27. **Dwarf Huckleberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)**
28. **Lilac (Syringa spp.)**

### **Trees:**

29. **Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)**
30. **Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)**
31. **Red Maple (Acer rubrum)**
32. **Willow (Salix spp.)**
33. **Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)**
34. **Basswood (Tilia americana)**

### **Annuals:**

35. **Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)**
36. **Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)**
37. **Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)**
38. **Marigold (Tagetes spp.)**
39. **Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)**

### **Groundcovers:**

40. **Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)**
41. **Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)**

### **Other Notables:**

42. **Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)**
43. **Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.)**
44. **Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)**
45. **Mint (Mentha spp.)**
46. **Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)**
47. **Thistle (Cirsium spp.)**
48. **Sage (Salvia officinalis)**
49. **Clover (Trifolium spp.)**
50. **Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)**

These plants not only attract bees with their blooms but also contribute to diverse and flavorful honey. When planting, it's beneficial to include a variety of plants to ensure a continuous source of nectar throughout the growing season, helping sustain bee populations.