Spring Bee Buffet

The Spring Bee Buffet collection is a thoughtfully curated set of native plants designed to create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden that provides essential nectar and pollen for native bees during the early months of the growing season. This collection features three native perennial plants that offer ecological benefits and seasonal color from spring through fall. Perfect for part-shade gardens with moist, well-drained soil, this collection helps nourish bees and other beneficial insects right when they need it most—emerging from winter and searching for their first food sources.

What's Included:

• Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea): Produces bright yellow umbels in early spring, offering one of the earliest and most important nectar sources for native bees.
• Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans): Features delicate lavender-blue flowers that emerge in spring, providing soft color in shaded spaces and essential food for early pollinators.
• Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve): Delivers late-season blooms that help sustain bees and other pollinators as they prepare for winter, extending garden interest into fall.

Key Features:

• Early-Season Nectar: Provides crucial nectar and pollen to support native bee populations.
• Seasonal Blooms: Encourages pollinator activity across three seasons with staggered blooming times.
• Pollinator Support: Attracts and supports bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives with minimal care and requires less water once established.
• Pollinator-safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.

Available in collections of nine, 18, or 27 plants to suit gardens of all sizes.

Planting Tips:

1. Location: Plant in part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help plants establish. After establishment, the collection is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
3. Maintenance: Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving grasses and stems standing in the fall provides shelter for fireflies and overwintering insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged. 

For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center.  

The Spring Bee Buffet collection is an ideal way to provide critical early-season resources for pollinators while enjoying colorful, low-maintenance blooms. Perfect for pollinator gardens, wildlife pathways, and shaded native plantings, this collection delivers lasting ecological impact and beauty.