10 Purple flowers for Wild Bees

Are you thinking and wondering why: A list of 10 purple flowers for wild bees? swiftly followed by two questions springing into your mind –

What’s the difference between bees and wild bees?

That’s an easy one to answer – wild bees are the bees you will most often see in your garden. Domesticated bees are those kept in bee hives

What’s wrong with a general list of garden plants for wild bees?

Ah, why not consider this scenario as a possible answer –

You’ve taken your children to a wildlife gardens event and workshop and helped them to make a home for mason bees.

But you didn’t buy any of the plants for pollinators that were for sale because the ones they had all had yellow flowers and you prefer purple flowers.

You get home and the children (bless them) keep going on about needing flowers for wild bees in your garden.

Being children, they’re not convinced when you prove that the foxgloves, Digitalis, and Verbena bonariensis already growing in your garden are great for wild bees.

They’re keen, these children of yours (don’t knock it, use it for ammunition when they’re reluctant to do their homework) and have sourced some other purple flowered plants on the internet. You take a look and your first thought is “I don’t want those in my garden!” The plants are too tall, too messy; just do not fit in with your planting scheme. But, good parent that you are, you’re reluctant to give a resounding “No” to your offspring when they’re doing their best.

So, what do you do?

You turn to Plews Potting Shed, of course!

10 Purple flowers for Wild Bees

There’s a good chance that we’ve got a helpful list somewhere. Try the Wildlife Gardens and Planting Design categories first. And funnily enough, that’s exactly what this gardening blog is about. A list of purple flowers for wild bees to take you through spring, summer, autumn and even winter in your garden. Not that many wild bees are around in winter, but you will see the occasional bumble bee.

And this isn’t just a repeat of other lists, I’ve aimed to find purple flowering plants that are a bit unusual. I mean, it is your garden and you want to enjoy looking at it. some of the flowers are delightfully scented too.

But first some general tips if you’re inspired to look for more purple flowers and good garden plants for wild bees and other pollinators. What should you bear in mind when choosing flowering plants?

Simple flower shapes, such as single blooms and open flowers
Have flowering plants all year round if you can – which is why this list is divided into seasons to help you
Choose pollen and nectar rich species
Plant a range of flowering plant species as different bees like different types of flower
And importantly, once they’re in your garden, think whether you really need to use pesticides

Purple flowers for Wild Bees – Spring

Geranium phaeum ‘samobar’
Also known as the dusky cranesbill. Geranium phaeum ‘samobor’ has dark markings on the leaves for extra interest. The simple, open flowers are popular with wild bees.

Comfrey

Symphytum x uplandicum variegatum is a comfrey with purple flowers for the bees. Plus, striking variegated foliage that you can still cut and add to your compost heap. (Yes, you may wait until it just starts to go over, and remember regular cutting encourages new growth!).

Iris germanica
The Bearded iris, flowering in April and May. Lots of gorgeous purples to choose from. Bumble bees are sometimes less keen on this particular iris than the solitary bees, but they will still ‘use’ it.

Purple flowers for Wild Bees – Summer

Centaurea montana
The perennial cornflower, blue flowered form is often seen in gardens. However, Centaurea montana ‘amethyst in snow’ has white petals and a regal purple centre. Very distinctive. Cut back stems as flowers fade and enjoy both fresh new foliage and more flowers.

Phlox
Purple scented Phlox paniculata, naturally. Phlox ‘blue paradise’ despite its name, has violet petals with deep purple eyes. And a wonderful scent for you and the bees.

Roses
Rosa ‘eyes for you’ is a floribunda bush rose with a strong citrus fragrance and open flowers. The mauve petals have a deep purple blotched centre – it’s definitely a show stopper rose to impress your visitors – whether they’re humans or wild bees!

Purple flowers for Wild Bees – Autumn

Sedum
Sedum telephium ‘purple emperor’ has dark bronze-purple foliage and red-purple flower heads. As well as wild bees liking the flowers, the seed heads are attractive to insects and birds.

Penstemon
Penstemon ‘blackbird’ has dark purple flowers that bloom all summer and through autumn until the first frosts. If that’s too dark for you, Penstemon ‘juicy grape’ is a lighter purple. Penstemons are such good garden plants. Bees love them and you’ll love the richly coloured flowers. Flowers for longer if deadheaded.

Purple flowers for Wild Bees – Winter

Viola oderata – Sweet Violet
Flowers in late winter and early spring, February – April. A native species, sweet smelling and one of my favourites. It was a popular Valentine’s Day flower for the Victorians and into the early years of the twentieth century. (see blog link below for more on sweet violets)

Winter flowering heathers
Calluna species of heather are excellent on acid soils. Whilst Erica carnea will live happily in a more alkaline soil. Both have purple flowered varieties which will flower all winter long, to the delight of any bees that may visit your garden.

10 Purple flowers for Wild Bees – a little extra

And guess what, if those lovely children of yours complain about you buying yet more purple flowers, you can turn round to them and ask: “Did you know that purple is the best colour for attracting wild bees to flowers?” We parents have to keep one step ahead, after all! For the full gen on why purple is best, read the blog below

And if you would like to talk with us about a planting design to suit you, your family, your garden and the wild bees, please get in touch!

Or if you would like help with learning more about your garden and gardening, why not ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden. We can help you learn gardening basics, and also show you how to plan an ornamental border or kitchen garden which is bee friendly, pet friendly and even human friendly

A bit about Bees Needs Week

Bees Needs Week is an annual event coordinated by Defra, working alongside charities, businesses, conservation groups and academic institutions to raise awareness of bees and other pollinators.

Bees and other pollinators are absolutely vital for growing much of our food. The National Pollinator Strategy, launched in 2014, is a 10-year plan to protect all the UK pollinators.

This year (2022) you can also get involved with invaluable Citizen Science. You just need to spend 10 minutes watching flowers and insects in good weather. Flower-Insect Timed (FIT) Counts can be done anywhere, including gardens and parks in warm, dry weather, any time from April to September. Click here for more details and helpful info sheets

Most of all, enjoy your garden and have fun gardening for bees during Bees Needs Week and beyond!

For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.