New England abounds with beautiful flowers, shrubs, bushes, trees, and other vegetation. However, today we will discuss some of the best for honeybees and various pollinators.  If you can’t be a beekeeper but have room for a garden outdoors, you can play a role in saving pollinators.  Gardens provide food and habitat for various pollinators including the honeybee when planting specific plants. . According to Tufts Pollinator Initiative, there are over 350 species of wild bees in New England alone, and the honeybee only makes up a small number of these flighty friends. Luckily, New England is home to many native perennials and is conducive to several annuals from which bees love pollinating as they enjoy the nectar.

1. New England Aster
   Asters have flowers that can be blue, pink, or purple with a blossom size of under an inch. They bloom in late summer and early fall and are loved by pollinators, especially honeybees.  If the soil in your garden isn’t the best, generally, Asters will tolerate it.
   
   
2. Panicle Hydrangea
   The Panicle Hydrangea is considered a shrub.  It prefers full sun to partial shade.  It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and should be planted 6 to 8 feet apart.  Their flowers are showy and can be green, pink, or red.  In some cases, flowers can be pale green to white and age to pink, red, and burgundy shades. They tend to produce good fall colors.  Panicle Hydrangea is a favorite of bees.
   
   
3. Virginia Rose
   The Virginia Rose has a bloom size of about 2 to 3 inches. Their bloom can be semi-double to double in clusters with a medium pink color.  They bloom once per year in the late spring or early summer.  Their flowers are showy and fragrant.  Virginia Rose is considered a perennial shrub that likes full sun.
    
4. Bee Balm
   Part of the mint family, bee balm truly lives up to its name and is a favorite of the bees.  It is a rapid grower so it should only be placed where it would be ok to spread.  Bee balm grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.  It requires rich, moist soil and partial sunlight.
   
   
5. Black-eyed Susans
   As a very-common native perennial of the northeast, Black-eyes Susans bloom late summer and early fall making them a great late-season food source for bees and other pollinators. The signature black eye may seem solid, but it’s a cluster of dozens of flowers.  Each of these flowers serves a cup of pollen and nectar for the pollinators. They require moist, well-draining, acidic, or neutral soil.