A Fabulous Bee Friendly Border Idea

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders

Creating a bee-friendly border with a range of pollinator-attracting plants is a rewarding venture, supporting both your garden’s ecosystem and the wider environment. Let’s look at a selection of plants that are perfect for such a setting: Allium, Anchusa azurea, Digitalis purpurea, Lavandula stoechas, Salvia nemorosa, Geranium himalayense, and Cirsium rivulare.

Allium, with its globular clusters of small, nectar-rich flowers, is a stunning addition to any border. The strong vertical shapes add contrast and interest.
Anchusa azurea, or Italian Bugloss, with its bright, true-blue flowers, offers a vivid splash of color and an abundant source of nectar throughout the summer.
Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as the common foxglove, is loved by bees for its bell-shaped flowers that provide a unique landing platform for them.
Lavandula stoechas, or Spanish Lavender, with its lovely purple flowers and silvery-green foliage, is a favorite among pollinators, providing a rich nectar source.
Salvia nemorosa, or woodland sage, has tall spikes of blue to violet flowers that are not only beautiful but also a magnet for bees.
Geranium himalayense is a hardy geranium with lovely blue-violet flowers. Its long blooming period ensures bees have a nectar source for an extended time.
Cirsium rivulare, or brook thistle, produces an abundance of pinkish-red flowers. This plant is not only an excellent addition for aesthetic reasons, but it’s also a bee magnet.

With these plants in your border, you’ll have a stunning, vibrant display that not only brings joy to you but also supports your local bee population. Don’t forget to avoid using pesticides that can harm bees and other beneficial insects!

Garden Information

Hardiness	6 - 8
Climate Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Sage)

Multiple award-winner, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ is a favorite of many gardeners for its unique, glowing dark purple stems and stunning, vertical spikes of rich, violet-blue flowers appearing in late spring or early summer

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss)

If you love true blue flowers, do not overlook Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss). This pretty biennial or short-lived perennial forms loose clusters of tiny bright blue flowers, resembling those of forget-me-nots, on tall stems rising atop low clumps of large, deep green, hairy leaves.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)

Adding a bold, vertical dimension to perennial flower beds, shade gardens, and cottage gardens, Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove) is a stately biennial or short-lived perennial boasting tall, one-sided spires of pendant, tubular, bright rosy-purple flowers with white speckled throats.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' (Ornamental Onion)

A favorite of many gardeners, multiple award-winner Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ is a striking ornamental onion with perfectly round flowerheads, 3 in. wide (8 cm), packed with dozens of small, star-shaped, rich violet-lilac flowers. They are borne atop sturdy stalks, which arise from a group of 6 to 8 handsome, blue-green leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and makes outstanding cut flowers that will last for 2 weeks.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Bulbs
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk' (Spanish Lavender)

Compact and beautiful, Lavandula stoechas ‘Anouk’ features dark plum flower heads topped with long-lasting violet-blue bracts delicately fading to pink as they mature. Highly aromatic silvery foliage. Great for mass planting, low hedges, or containers.

Hardiness	6 - 10
Plant type	Herbs, Shrubs
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' (Plume Thistle)

A very desirable garden plant, Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’, commonly known as Plume Thistle, is a tall, branching, upright perennial exhibiting strong, leafless stems with pincushion-like, deep crimson flowers, up to 1 in wide (3 cm), atop a large basal rosette of soft green leaves. A magnet for bees and birds!

Hardiness	4 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geranium himalayense (Lilac Cranesbill)

Forming dense, spreading mounds of neatly cut leaves, Geranium himalayense, commonly known as Lilac Cranesbill, produces dainty, yet very large, cup-shaped flowers, elegantly borne on long stems, in shades of violet, indigo, and blue from early to mid-summer. Compact, its foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and makes it useful as a low ground cover. Turning showy reddish-orange in fall, it creates a pretty contrast.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Agastache 'Black Adder' (Giant Hyssop)

Hardy and reliable, Agastache ‘Black Adder’ (Giant Hyssop) is a charming herbaceous perennial boasting bottle-brush, terminal spikes, 6-8 in. long (15-20 cm), packed with fragrant, tubular, two-lipped red-violet flowers emerging from dark buds.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Allium Geranium (Cranesbill) Digitalis (Foxglove) Agastache (Hyssop) Salvia (Sage) Lavandula (Lavender)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Allium ‘Globemaster’ (Ornamental Onion)

Lavandula stoechas ‘Fathead’ (Spanish Lavender)

Agastache rugosa ‘Golden Jubilee’ (Korean Mint)

Learn About These Genera

Allium (Ornamental Onion)

Salvia (Sage)

Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender)

Credit: GAP Photos/Elke Borkowski/Chelsea 2011

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.