Providing food for native bees is at the heart of native beekeeping! It starts with understanding the plants that support your bees. Do a little research on native plants that thrive in your area and match your specific types of bees. Make sure you have a variety of these plants established and ready to feed your pollinators when the blossoms open.
I’m lucky that my property is surrounded by a forest of native trees, shrubs, and plants that naturally support my bees, so mostly I just need to time their release correctly. Still, I provide plenty of blossoms in my own garden beds to make sure the bees always have something to eat. There are a few important things to keep in mind when choosing bee-friendly plants for your native beekeeping garden.
No Pesticides in Native Beekeeping
First and foremost: if you’re choosing native beekeeping, you must commit to no pesticides. No exceptions! Bees will visit the blooms in your garden, and it’s your responsibility to make sure they aren’t getting poisoned while doing their job. Say goodbye to chemical sprays and hello to organic, pesticide-free gardening!
This rule also applies to where you buy your plants. Purchase only from organic, pesticide-free nurseries. Even washing plants after purchase may not remove all pesticide residue. Some nurseries use systemic pesticides, which are absorbed into the plant and can harm or kill any insect that touches or consumes their nectar or pollen. According to Xerxes Society, these chemicals can persist for months—or even years—even if the plant dies back in winter.
Although systemic pesticides are banned in Massachusetts, I always ask before buying plants. Protect your bees by choosing pesticide-free options!
When you stop using pesticides, pests may appear in your garden—but don’t panic. Identify the pest, do a little research, and you’ll usually find safe solutions that won’t harm your pollinators. Your garden might be a little less pristine, but it will be bursting with life. Holes in leaves? Totally fine. I plant plenty so that even “imperfect” plants remain beautiful and productive. There’s real joy in knowing your garden isn’t poisoning the bees—or any other local wildlife.
💡 Tip: Embrace a little imperfection! Pollinators don’t care if your leaves have holes—they just want nectar and pollen.
Native Plants vs. Native Cultivars
Let’s talk quickly about native plants vs. native cultivars. True native plants are species that evolved naturally in your area. They grew on your property long before development and provide rich genetic diversity for pollinators.
Native cultivars are bred from native plants to enhance specific traits like compact growth, abundant blooms, drought tolerance, or disease resistance. I happily use both. Cultivars may have slightly less genetic diversity, which can mean fewer nutrients for pollinators. Some also have larger flowers, which can make nectar and pollen less accessible to smaller bees. But that doesn’t mean they’re harmful—they still provide valuable food sources and make your garden gorgeous. The key is to strike a balance.
I leave wild areas untouched for true natives and plant cultivars in my flower beds. I also focus on colors bees evolved with, like purple coneflower and scarlet bee balm. Bees are naturally drawn to these colors, so providing them ensures a steady supply of food for native bees in your garden.
💡 Tip: Plant a few flowers in the colors your native bees love most—it makes your garden more attractive to pollinators and helps them find food faster!
Early Blooms for Mason Bees
Mason bees are among the earliest native bees to emerge in spring, which makes early-blooming plants essential to their survival. This is where fruit trees really shine. Apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches bloom early, often right as mason bees hatch, providing abundant nectar and pollen when little else is available.
Even a single fruit tree can support many mason bees—and the relationship is mutual. Mason bees are exceptionally efficient pollinators of fruit trees, often improving fruit set and yield far more effectively than honey bees. If you don’t have fruit trees on your property, nearby ornamental or wild trees can still provide crucial early-season food.
Another reliable early bloomer is the Japanese Andromeda shrub (Pieris japonica). Although it is not a native plant, it blooms very early in spring and provides abundant nectar when few other options are available. In gardens where native early-season plants are still establishing, Japanese Andromeda can help bridge the seasonal gap for native bees.
💡 Tip: Time mason bee release with early blooms—especially in the trees—so bees have immediate access to food when they emerge.
Plants Northeastern Native Bees Love
Here are some of the native plants that northeastern mason and leafcutter bees especially adore. You may also find these as native cultivars in nurseries:
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Bright yellow blooms full of pollen and nectar.
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A purple perennial rich in nectar and pollen.
- Scarlett Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): Vibrant red flowers that attract bees, hummingbirds, and bumblebees.
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Late-season blooms that provide essential nectar as bees prepare for colder months.
- Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.): Fall-blooming flowers rich in nectar.
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Bright orange flowers loved by bees and butterflies.
- Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum): Tall pinkish blooms full of nectar.
- Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis): Blue-to-purple flowers perfect for mason and leafcutter bees.
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): Late-season nectar-rich flowers.
- Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca): Small white flowers in early spring followed by delicious native berries.
Planting these species ensures your garden becomes a thriving, pesticide-free buffet of food for native bees, supporting their health and the overall pollinator ecosystem. Your garden will be buzzing with life, and your bees will thank you! 🐝💛
💡 Tip: Mix early, mid, and late-blooming plants to keep a constant supply of nectar throughout the season. Your bees will never go hungry!
If you’re new to raising native bees, these plants are just one piece of the puzzle. For a complete guide on creating a bee-friendly garden and caring for your bees throughout the season, check out my Native Beekeeping for Beginners guide.
All photography by @heldthrulightbyjw
