Providing good forage in your backyard might seem almost futile when you consider that honeybees fly 2 miles or more to forage. But if we all cultivate bee-friendly plants, the net effect can be significant for honeybees and other pollinators. We have found that, here in the Willamette Valley, one of the better plants for honeybees in late spring and early summer is Phacelia tanacetifolia. The bees work it well, it is easy to grow from seed in our soil, and is a good source of nectar and pollen.
We actually sow phacelia in our meadowfoam beds, so as the meadowfoam dries up in late spring, the Phacelia is emerging. This works well and provides a nice color pallette in the garden.