Ceanothus spp.
Blooms spring to summer
Perennial groundcover that can grow to 18 ft shrub with voluminous blue flowers. Prefers well-drained soil, though some varieties tolerate clay. Provides pollen. Attracts Bombus, honey, minim, and sweat bees.
Penstemon spp.
Bloom times vary spring to summer
Many California natives, many colors to choose from. The bushy, flowery plant is extremely drought-tolerant and excellent for native and honeybees. In spring, Penstemon heterophyllus has gorgeous blue-purple flowers, 1-2' h x 2-3' w, accepting of heavy soils and some shade.
Aster chilensis
Blooms summer into early fall
A fast-growing perennial that grows 1.3-3.3 ft tall and 3 ft wide with yellow disks, purple or blue ray florets. Grows in poor to moderate rich soil, accepts medium water but tolerates dry conditions. Attracts honey, sweat mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Scabiosa spp.
Bloom times vary spring to summer
There are many California natives and cultivars in blue, pink, and lavender, and they attract native and honey bees as well as butterflies.
Solidago californica
Blooms summer to early fall
Perennial with upright slender stems to 4 ft high with masses of floral heads. Does well in a variety of soils. Water increases flowering. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts honey, sweat, mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Agastache
Blooms in summer
A perennial that grows erect 3-4 ft and is bushy with tubular flowers borne on whorls. Color varies. Prefers sun and well-drained soil. Water when flowering and prune back after. Provides nectar and attracts natives, especially bombus and honey bees.
Arctostaphylos
Blooms late winter to early spring
A perrenial that can be a groundcover or grow into 20 ft trees with white or pink flowers. Likes full sun, average soil and water. Provides nectar and attracts bombos, honeybees, mason bees, and Saturnia Mendocino.
Eriogonum grande rubescens
Blooms in summer
Perennial low-mounding subshrub that can grow to 24” high. Likes well drained poor to moderately rich soil. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts honey, sweat, mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Gilia capitata
Blooms April - May
An annual with numerous blue flowers forming a globe. Glows erect to about 27” high. Likes sun and average to dry soil. Provides nectar and pllen. Attracts honey, sweat, and mining bees.
Helianthus annuus
Blooms summer to fall
A tall annual with branched leaves, dark floral disk, heart shaped petals, and varying colors and heights. Tolerates poor soil and needs a little water in summer. Provides nectar and pollen. Attracts honey, sweat, mining, Bombus, and mason bees.
Salvia melliifera
Blooms spring to early summer
A perennial evergreen shrub up to 6 ft high to 6 ft wide. Lavender flowers, native to San Francisco. Grows in many garden conditions, drought tolerant but water for flowers. Provides mostly nectar. Attracts honey, Bonbus, mason, and other native bees.
Sphaeralcea ambigua
Blooms late spring to early fall
A perennial that grows 3 - 5 ft high with multiple stems and orange or pink flowers. Likes well-drained soil and tolerates hot, dry conditions. Protect from gophers. Provides pollen and attracts wide variety of native bees and honey bees.