Watching bumblebees lumber from bloom to bloom is one of the greatest joys of summer gardening! These gentle giants of the pollinator world are on a mission to gather nectar and pollen, and by planting the right annuals, you’ll turn your beds into a bumblebee buffet. I know how disheartening it can feel when your flower patch looks beautiful but the bees give it a hard pass—let’s change that!
In this guide, we’ll explore 14 standout annuals—presented in a randomized order—that consistently draw bumblebees with their color, shape, and nectar rewards. For each, we’ll dive into its native roots, note any self-sowing or invasive tendencies, and even highlight how it supports nesting or other beneficial wildlife. Ready to fill your garden with buzzy excitement? Let’s dig in!
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums boast bright, saucer‑shaped blooms in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows that bumblebees can spot from afar. Their open, funnel-shaped flowers provide easy access to nectar, making them a favorite landing pad for those fuzzy bodies! I love scattering nasturtiums among my vegetables—they not only attract bees but also deter aphids by acting as a sacrificial trap crop.
Native to the Andes of South America, nasturtiums self‑seed readily but aren’t considered invasive. Their sprawling habit creates patches of ground cover that mimic natural meadows, which can provide shelter for ground‑nesting bumblebees seeking bare soil near old rodent burrows. Plus, the peppery leaves double as a spicy addition to salads—talk about dual-purpose delight!
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage’s star‑shaped, sky‑blue blossoms are absolute magnets for bumblebees, who clamber over each other to reach those rich nectaries. I always plant borage near my herb beds—the bees that visit borage spill over to pollinate nearby tomatoes and peppers, boosting my overall harvest!
Originating in the Mediterranean region, borage isn’t invasive but self‑sows prolifically if you let its seeds drop. The erect stems and coarse foliage also create microhabitats where small hoverflies lay eggs, and emerging larvae snack on aphids—another win for integrated pest management! Encouraging these beneficial insects keeps your garden balanced and thriving.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Those whimsical “dragon mouth” flowers of snapdragons aren’t just charming—they’re perfectly designed for bumblebee visitors. The sturdy lower petal acts as a landing platform, and when a bee pushes inside, the flower’s “jaws” open, granting access to deep nectar stores. Watching bumblebees negotiate snapdragons always brings a grin!
Native to the Mediterranean and parts of North Africa, snapdragons self-seed lightly but won’t take over your beds. Their upright spikes also offer perching spots for predatory insects like lacewings, which feed on aphids. I relish the way snapdragons fill vertical gaps in my borders, creating layers of color and buzzing activity!
Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
Lacy phacelia, often called “bee’s friend,” lives up to its name with dense clusters of purple‑blue, funnel‑shaped blooms that bumblebees adore. Its rapid growth means you’ll see flowers within weeks of sowing, and bees dive headfirst into each cluster, collecting both nectar and abundant pollen!
Native to the western United States, phacelia self‑sows in favorable spots but isn’t considered invasive. Its quick canopy provides shade and moisture retention for ground‑nesting bees, while decomposing foliage enriches the soil for the next season’s crops. Plant a patch of phacelia and you’ll cultivate a hive of happy pollinators!
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula’s golden, daisy‑like blooms shine like miniature suns and beckon bumblebees with their open, pollen‑rich centers. I find that bumper calendula plantings turn into buzzing hubs where multiple bees forage simultaneously—such a treat to witness that communal dining!
Hailing from the Mediterranean, calendula self‑sows moderately but rarely becomes weedy. Its petals also make vibrant, edible garnishes, and the spent flowers provide soft refuges for ladybugs and lacewings to overwinter. By supporting a range of insects, calendula helps maintain garden health while delighting the eye and soul.
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias come in a riot of colors and forms, from single blooms to lush doubles, but it’s the single‑petaled varieties that bumblebees love most. Those flat, open disks give bees easy footing and quick access to nectar-lined florets—perfect for heavy‑bodied foragers!
Native to Mexico, zinnias aren’t invasive but will self‑seed if you allow seedheads to mature. Their long bloom period, often lasting from summer into fall, provides vital late‑season resources for queen bumblebees preparing to overwinter. I always save a few zinnia seeds each year, ensuring my garden remains a dependable bee banquet!
Tithonia (Tithonia rotundifolia)
Also known as Mexican sunflower, tithonia features radiant orange-red blossoms up to 3 inches wide—like megaphones for bumblebee attraction! I love how these tall annuals, often reaching 4–6 feet, become bumblebee freeways, with bees zooming up and down the sturdy stems.
Native to Mexico and Central America, tithonia self‑sows sparingly but won’t dominate your beds. Its coarse foliage provides cover for beneficial ground beetles, and the open growth habit maintains airflow to reduce fungal issues. If you want drama and pollinator appeal, tithonia is your go‑to annual!
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Fragrant sweet peas enchant both gardeners and bumblebees alike. Their delicate, butterfly‑shaped blooms in pastel pinks, purples, and whites offer landing ledges for bees to access hidden nectaries—an olfactory and visual delight in any cutting garden!
Originating from Sicily and southern Italy, sweet peas can self‑seed if you allow pods to mature but aren’t invasive. Their climbing tendrils also create vertical corridors where spy-hopping bumblebees explore each flower. Plus, those lovely stems make for bouquets that fill the house with a scent you’ll look forward to all season!
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Cornflowers—or bachelor’s buttons—show off fringed, cobalt-blue blooms that stand out in any palette. Bumblebees appreciate the tufted florets packed with nectar, and multiple bees often forage on a single flower head, creating a little bumblebee gathering!
Native to Europe, cornflowers self‑sow readily but seldom become invasive in well‑tended gardens. Their airy habit leaves patches of bare earth beneath clumps, offering nesting sites for ground‑nesting bees. Cornflowers also attract predatory hoverflies, adding another layer of biological control to your landscape!
Salvia farinacea (Mealy Cup Sage)
Annual blue salvia sports spikes of lavender‑blue blossoms that hum with bumblebee activity. The tubular flowers fit bee tongues perfectly, and I often spot bumblebees clinging upside-down as they suck deeply from each corolla!
Native to Texas and Mexico, Salvia farinacea isn’t invasive but thrives in hot, sunny spots with well‑drained soil. Its long bloom season, often from spring through frost, provides a reliable nectar source when other early annuals fade. I tuck salvia into beds and containers alike—it’s a surefire way to maintain that low, constant hum of pollinators!
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos’s open, daisy-like faces in soft pinks, whites, and deep magentas offer easy access to nectar, making them a favorite for larger bumblebees. Their delicate, feathery foliage also provides cover and corridors for bees to navigate safely across the garden!
Originating in Mexico, cosmos self‑sows generously but seldom poses a management problem. Once established, they’ll rebloom with deadheading, extending their appeal to bumblebees. The tall, airy stems also attract other pollinators like butterflies and beetles, turning your garden into a buzzing, multi-species haven!
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
While we often think of sunflowers as yearly giants, dwarf varieties make splendid annuals for bumblebees. Their central disk florets are loaded with nectar early in the morning, and I love lining these sun-kissed blooms along paths so bumblebees zoom in and out like floral pinball!
Native to North America, sunflowers aren’t invasive but will volunteer if you leave seedheads. Their sturdy stems provide vantage posts for predatory insects like lacewings, while the drop of seeds in autumn feeds birds and small mammals. Plant a row of dwarf sunflowers, and you’ll host a full ecosystem!
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds—especially single-petaled varieties—offer open centers that beckon bumblebees to forage freely among the bright orange and yellow blooms. I often tuck marigolds around vegetable plots; the bees they attract boost fruit set in adjacent crops like squash and cucumbers!
Native to the Americas, marigolds self-seed sparingly and aren’t invasive. Their aromatic foliage also deters certain pests, making them favorite companion plants. The low, mounded form creates sheltered microclimates where tiny solitary bees can nest in bare patches—another reason marigolds deserve a prime spot in your annual rotation!
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)
Cleome, or spider flower, features spidery clusters of pink, white, or lavender blooms that open gradually from bottom to top—giving bumblebees an extended buffet! Those long stamens are perfect landing posts, and I adore watching bumblebees probe each flower in rhythmic succession.
Native to South America, cleome self-seeds readily but seldom outcompetes other plants in a well-kept garden. Its tall form adds architectural drama, and the open framework provides perching spots for other pollinators like hoverflies and small butterflies. I always leave a few seedpods behind—volunteer cleome adds whimsy to next year’s beds!
