If what is planted can fill at least ONE of those goals – then grow it!\u00a0\u00a0 This list is by no means all-inclusive – and will be edited to add more as we are educated on more varieties that people enjoy in our area of North Texas.\u00a0\u00a0 I *know* there are more beneficial plants that would help the bees (and pollinators) – however, I am going to try to limit this list to those that grow well in this area – knowing our temperatures, soil types, and drought (and rain) levels through the year.<\/p>\n
Trees<\/strong><\/p>\n I LOVE the fruits produced by many trees.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fig Trees<\/strong> – Though these are pollinated by a wasp – they sure benefit my taste buds and belly!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n E Globulus Photo by Gaiaherbs.com<\/p><\/div>\n Eucalyptus<\/strong> (all it’s varieties – but I am growing the E. globulus<\/strong> (Blue Gum Eucalyptus) and E. camaldulensis<\/strong>\u00a0 (Red Gum Eucalyptus) – Eucalyptus trees are prolific nectar producers, and are tall trees.\u00a0 \u00a0 Native to Tasmania and Australia – these trees are some of the best nectar producers on that continent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pear Trees<\/strong> – Note that pear trees EASILY cross pollinate.\u00a0 So if you have a variety of “ornamental pear” tree – then it may negatively affect fruit-bearing pear trees and cause no fruits or deformed fruits to be set.\u00a0\u00a0 Try to make sure you have edible fruit-bearing varieties that you plant.<\/p>\n PawPaw Tree – <\/strong>PawPaw Grow wild in forests in the Eastern US, these grow easily from seed<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Locust Tree<\/strong> (i.e. Honey Locust, Black Locust<\/strong>).\u00a0\u00a0 These trees – for the duration of their bloom – make a WONDERFUL honey for the bees and other pollinators.\u00a0\u00a0 Keep the plants in check, though – because the thorns the tree produces can be huge!<\/p>\n Chinese Tallow<\/strong> – Another plant that is a wonderful nectar producer.\u00a0\u00a0 Some folks want to eradicate this tree… However – did you know that the Tallow Tree is Texas’ largest commercial honey producer?\u00a0\u00a0 A mature tree can produce a barrel (about 700 lbs) of honey in the duration of it’s nectar flow.\u00a0 \u00a0These were used in the CCC era as an ornamental and were given away to landowners as CCC crews were building the US park systems.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quince<\/strong> – a drought-tolerant plant that has fruits that are great for jellies.\u00a0 It does like well drained soils, though – so some amending of our clay soil is in their best interest here in North Texas.<\/p>\n Mexican Plum<\/strong> – bees are the primary pollinators for these fruits.\u00a0 Great for pies, preserves, jams, and jellies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bushes \/ Vines Ligustrum<\/strong> – This ornamental is a great producer of nectar for a short bloom period.\u00a0\u00a0 It is VERY fragrant, and makes a great honey crop.<\/p>\n Gourds<\/strong> – Gourds really seem to be a great plant for all the pollinators – and produce a fun variety of fruit shapes that can be used for SO many projects.<\/p>\n Ground Cherries – <\/strong>These have a papery husk – much like a tomatillo, but are sweeter, and nutritious.\u00a0 Easily grow from seed, and the fruits keep for months.<\/p>\n Gooseberries –<\/strong>\u00a0 nutritious, and can be preserved without sugar.\u00a0 HAve natural pectin in their chemistry.<\/p>\n Currants –<\/strong> HIGH in vitamin C – up to 4x more than oranges.\u00a0\u00a0 Make preserves, and more.\u00a0\u00a0 A single bush can make 10 lbs of fruit.\u00a0\u00a0 Grow well in cold regions.<\/p>\n Juneberries –<\/strong> vitamins, and fruit before strawberries.<\/p>\n Cornelian Cherries (Dogwood family)<\/strong> – a favorite in the Mediterranean<\/p>\n Huckleberries –<\/strong> high in antioxidents (higher than blueberries) – and have a LONG storage life.<\/p>\n Privet \/ Chinese Privet \/ Ligustrum<\/strong> – Again – a VERY fragrant nectar producer that makes a light-colored honey – and the air is just abuzz when they are in bloom.\u00a0\u00a0 Don’t let some folks tell you they should be removed because they think they’re “Non Native” or “invasive”.\u00a0 That’s horse-hockey.\u00a0\u00a0 They simply are a well-adapting beneficial plant.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n Almond Verbena \/ White Almond Bush \/ Tree Verbena<\/strong> ( Aloysia virgata ) (Info from my friend Esther\u00a0 Betschart)\u00a0 a shrubby, flowering plant native to Argentina and Brazil. It’s known for its strong, sweet vanilla-almond fragrance that attracts pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Here’s a quick overview of the plant:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elderberry<\/strong> – another favorite for bees,\u00a0 butterflies and more, this stalky tree\/bush has a nice umbra of flowers and the berries are great for syrups, juices, and so much more.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s also VERY nutritious – and have LONG been known to have medicinal properties.\u00a0 Good for making preserves, wine, syrups, and more.<\/p>\n Holly<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wildflowers \/ Ground Covers<\/strong><\/p>\n Bee Balm \/ Horsemint \/ Monarda <\/strong>– These often come up volunteer in a field a year or so after being mowed or plowed.\u00a0\u00a0 Bee balm is a bi0annual plant (only blooms every 2 years – or in it’s 2nd year of life) – so don’t be in a hurry to mow fields that have it!\u00a0 Bee Balm – as it’s name suggests – is a FANTASTIC producer of nectar for honey – as well as pollen for their protein source.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bohemianutopia.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mexicanbuckeye-768x432-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Mexican Buckeye<\/strong> – a Texas Native that is an early blooming nectar producer that attracts bees,\u00a0 butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and more.\u00a0 \u00a0The Mexican Buckeye is a great understory tree that does well when shaded (or partially shaded) by trees overhead.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s known to be deer-resistant, and does well in areas with low water.
\nUse Wildlife:<\/strong> Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-moths, Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals.<\/p>\n<\/a>American Persimmon Tree<\/strong> (American Persimmon or Texas Persimmon)\u00a0 these make a fantastic sweet fruit – I often will eat them when foraging in a forest.\u00a0 The bees love them.\u00a0 They also feed the wildlife – and the seeds are spread through the wildlife scat.\u00a0 These are high in both sugars, and nutrition<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Mulberry Trees – <\/strong>These trees feed the bees, the birds (don’t you love the purple spots the birds leave on your car?), people, and more!\u00a0 They grow easily by grafting, or simply come up volunteer from bird droppings.\u00a0\u00a0 A single tree can make 50 lbs of fruit!\u00a0\u00a0 Just get them before the birds and squirrels do.\u00a0\u00a0 Also good for feeding to your chickens or pigs.<\/p>\n<\/a>Western Soapberry Tree<\/strong> – This native was used by indigenous peoples to make early versions of soap.\u00a0 \u00a0 It’s blooms are fragrant across the countryside, and feed a WIDE variety of pollinators.\u00a0 \u00a0 In 2025 – these are in bloom in early June.\u00a0 \u00a0See my own in-progress experiment with propagating these trees HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Dragon Fruit –\u00a0<\/strong>another favorite for the bees, bats, moths, and more!<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Passion Fruit\u00a0<\/strong>– This vine has one of the most beautiful blooms I have ever seen.\u00a0 This one attracts all the pollinators, and it blooms throughout the spring and summer.\u00a0 The fruit when ripe is delicious!\u00a0 \u00a0Definitely plant these seeds on your fence line!<\/p>\n
\n