Annuals |
Honey Bees and Annuals Most of the annuals presented below will be familiar to you. These are just some of the honey bee-friendly annuals. You can always google “honey bee annuals” to get other lists. Note that it is better to put out more plants of one kind than to have one or two or three of lots of different kinds. Also it makes it easier on the bees if you plant them in the same area, too. Bees have a difficult to impossible time trying to get into some flowers like French marigolds with multiple petals. It’s best to go for flowers with single flowers. Multiple petals are okay if the center of the flower is open. |
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Bachelor Buttons (Centaurea Cyanus) Blooms: June and July Zone: 8 Height: 1’ to 2’ Spread: Less than a 1’ Sun: Full sun Water: Moderate Other: Reblooms if cut back; deer resistant |
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Marigolds (Tagetes) Blooms: Summer to early autumn
Zone: 2 to 11
Height: 18” Spread: 18” Sun: Full sun Water: Moderate Other: Single petals or ones with open centers are best;deadhead to encourage blooming |
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Zinnias (Z. elegans)
Blooms: June through frost
Zone: 2 to 11 Height: 1’ to 4’ (depending on variety) Spread: 1’ to 2’ Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Other: Deer resistant |
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Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) Blooms: Late summer Zone: All Height: up to 10’ Spread: 8” to 12’’ Sun: Full sun Water: Frequent until established, then once a week Other: Attracts birds; can be annual or perennial; |
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Pin Cushion (Scabiosa atropurpurea) Blooms: April to frost Zone: 5 to 9 Height: 1’ to 1.5’ Spread: 1’ to 1.5’ Sun: Full Water: Medium Tolerates: Drought Other: Low maintenance; deer resistant |
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Borage (Borago Officinalis) a bee favorite Blooms: Spring to frost (stagger seeding) Zone: All Height: 2’ Spread: 2.5’ Sun: Full sun Water: Medium Tolerates: Adapts to many soil types, does best in fertile soil Other: Secretes nectar all day; very high sugar content; edible flowers and leaves; medicinal; self-seeds; direct seed; deer resistant |
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Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) Blooms: June to frost Zone: 2 to 11 Height: 1’ to 4’ Spread: 2’ to 3’ Sun: Full Water: Medium Other: Self seeds; low maintenance; deer resistant |
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Spider Flower (Cleome serrulata) Blooms: July thru September Zone: 3 to 8 Height: 3’ to 6’ Spread: 3’ Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Low Other: Self seeds; comes in mixed colors: purple, pink, white but can be purchased all one color; deer resistant |
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Lacy Phacelia (Centaurea Tanacetifolia) Blooms: Spring (4 to 5 weeks) and fall Zone: 1 to 10 Height: 2’ to 3’ Spread: 8” to 12” Sun: Full Water: Moderate to dry Other: Fragrant; great cut flower; uncurls like a fern; self-seeds; improves soil |
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Breadseed Poppies (Papaver somniferum) Blooms: Mid-summer to frost Zone: 4 to 9 Height: 3’ Spread: 12” to 24” Sun: Full Water: Medium Other: Likes well drained soil; comes in purples, pinks, reds, etc.; self-seeds from dried pods; direct sow; deer resistant |
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