Hey Bees! You are Cordially Invited to My Garden
- Alyce Peterson
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Looking to add some buzz to your garden—literally? Bees are not only essential pollinators, they’re also a joy to watch flitting among the flowers. The good news is that it’s easy to create a bee-friendly garden right here in Lodi, and many of the best plants are already well-suited to our warm, sunny climate in USDA Zone 9.
Whether you're working with a spacious backyard or a small patio, here are some top plant picks and helpful tips to attract bees and support local pollinator populations.
Top Bee-Friendly Plants for Lodi (Zone 9)
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)This fragrant favorite is a magnet for bees. It's drought-tolerant, blooms over a long season, and adds a lovely pop of purple to your borders or raised beds.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)Our cheerful state flower is not only easy to grow, it reseeds itself each year and thrives in poor soil. Native bees especially love it!
Salvia (Salvia spp.)A low-maintenance stunner that blooms for months. Popular varieties like ‘Hot Lips’ and ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ are big nectar sources for bees and hummingbirds alike.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)With shaggy blooms in shades of red, pink, and purple, bee balm attracts bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It likes a little extra water—great for partial shade.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)Heat- and drought-tolerant with sunset-hued flowers, this hardy plant thrives in Lodi gardens and provides long-lasting nectar.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)Its flat flower clusters make excellent landing pads for bees. Yarrow also supports ladybugs and lacewings—great for natural pest control.
Borage (Borago officinalis)This old-fashioned herb boasts edible blue flowers and is a bee favorite. It self-sows readily, so you’ll get new plants every year.
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)A classic! Sunflowers bring joy to the garden, feed bees during bloom, and offer seeds for birds in fall. Great for borders and kids’ gardens.
5 Tips to Creat a Bee Haven
Plant in groups: Clusters of the same flower are easier for bees to find than single plants scattered around.
Provide year-round blooms: Mix early spring, summer, and fall bloomers to keep bees fed all season.
Avoid pesticides: Especially neonicotinoids, which are harmful to bees. Go organic when possible.
Leave some bare ground: Many native bees are ground nesters and need exposed soil.
Offer water: A shallow dish filled with pebbles and water gives bees a safe spot to drink.
Bees at a fountain's edge | Photo credit: Alyce Peterson
How We Can Help Bees
Pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. But each bee-friendly garden—no matter the size—can make a difference. By planting even a few of these nectar-rich flowers, you’ll be helping our local ecosystem and encouraging healthy, beautiful blooms throughout your landscape.
See Bee-Friendly Gardening in Action
Be sure to visit the Butterfly Garden at Lodi Lake and the Micke Grove Rose Garden—both lovingly maintained by the Lodi Garden Club. You’ll find many of these plants thriving there, and maybe a few buzzing visitors, too!
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