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:
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Aster (Aster spp.)
- Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
- Salvia (Salvia spp.)
- Sedum (Sedum spp.)
- Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Buddleia (Buddleja davidii)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
- False Indigo (Baptisia spp.)
- Coneflower (Rudbeckia spp.)
- Monarch Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Liatris (Liatris spp.)
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Shrubs:
- Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
- Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
- Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
- Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
- Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea)
- Dwarf Huckleberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
- Lilac (Syringa spp.)
Trees:
- Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
- Basswood (Tilia americana)
Annuals:
- Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
- Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
- Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
- Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Groundcovers:
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
- Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Other Notables:
- Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
- Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Thistle (Cirsium spp.)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Clover (Trifolium spp.)
- 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.