Create Your Garden

A Fabulous Bee Friendly Border Idea

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Lavandula 'Helmsdale', Allium Purple sensation, Digitalis purpurea albiflora, Salvia 'Caradonna', Anchusa azurea 'Opal', Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpur

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

How Many Plants Do I Need?
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

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)
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.

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
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

Similar Garden Ideas

Border Calculator

Recreate this garden. Specify the percentages you would like to have of each plant and input the dimensions of your garden space.We'll give you a shopping list so you know how many plants you need.

Specify plants percentage

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Sage) N/A Buy Plants
Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss) N/A Buy Plants
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove) N/A Buy Plants
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' (Ornamental Onion) N/A Buy Plants
Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk' (Spanish Lavender) N/A Buy Plants
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' (Plume Thistle) N/A Buy Plants
Geranium himalayense (Lilac Cranesbill) N/A Buy Plants
Agastache 'Black Adder' (Giant Hyssop) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone