Gardens
Bee-Friendly Plants for a Buzzing Garden
Photography, Josephine Amalie Paysen, Unsplash.com
Gardens
Bee-Friendly Plants for a Buzzing Garden
Bees are essential pollinators, playing a crucial role in the health of our ecosystems and the production of many crops.
However, bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.
One way to support bees is by creating a garden filled with plants that attract and nourish them. If you’re up for the challenge, here are some bee-friendly plants that can transform your garden into a buzzing haven.
Why Attract Bees?
Bees are vital not only for the pollination of many fruits, vegetables and flowers but also for maintaining biodiversity. By attracting bees to your garden, you:
- Enhance Pollination: Improve the yield of your garden's fruits and vegetables
- Support Biodiversity: Help maintain a diverse ecosystem
- Boost Plant Health: Encourage the growth and health of your garden plants
Choosing Bee-Friendly Plants
When selecting plants to attract bees, consider the following:
- Nectar and Pollen: Choose plants that produce ample nectar and pollen.
- Flower Shape: Bees prefer simple, open flowers where nectar is easily accessible.
- Colour: Bees are attracted to blue, purple, white and yellow flowers.
- Bloom Time: Plant a variety of species to ensure continuous blooms throughout the growing season.
Top Plants to Attract Bees
Here are some top plants that you should plant if you want to attract bees:
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Colour: Purple
- Benefits: Lavender is a fragrant, perennial herb that produces abundant nectar. Its long blooming period and easy-to-access flowers make it a favourite among bees.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Colour: Red, pink, purple, white
- Benefits: As the name suggests, bee balm is a magnet for the insects. Its tubular flowers are perfect for a bee's long tongues, and the plant also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
3. Sunflower (Helianthus)
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colour: Yellow, orange, red
- Benefits: Sunflowers are not only strikingly beautiful but also rich in nectar and pollen. They provide a great food source for bees throughout the late summer and fall.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colour: Purple, pink, white
- Benefits: Coneflowers are hardy perennials that offer a reliable source of nectar. They are also drought-resistant, making them a low-maintenance addition to your garden.
5. Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Colour: Blue
- Benefits: Borage is an annual herb with star-shaped blue flowers. It's known for its continuous blooming and high nectar production, making it a favourite for bees.
6. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colour: Yellow with a dark centre
- Benefits: These cheerful flowers are attractive to bees ad very easy to grow. They thrive in a variety of conditions and provide long-lasting blooms.
Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden
To maximize the bee-friendliness of your garden:
- Diverse Planting: Include a variety of plants with different bloom times to provide food throughout the season.
- Avoid Pesticides: Opt for organic gardening methods to ensure a safe environment for bees.
- Provide Water: Place shallow dishes of water with stones for bees to land on.
- Plant in Clumps: Grouping plants together makes it easier for bees to find and collect nectar.
Recommended
9 PLANTS TOXIC TO CHILDREN AND PETS
Comments