Gardening For Bees
Gardens are really important places for bees and pollinating insects. If you take an interest in the wildlife in your garden it is important to try and provide flowers for as long a period as possible so they have a source of food.
Not all flowers are equal either – some plants are more nectar rich than others so it pays to do your homework and find which flowers pollinating insects like best.
Clumps of bee-friendly plants in sunny places will be more attractive than plants in the shade. Double of multi-petaled cultivars should be avoided wherever possible as these have a tendency to lack pollen or are difficult for pollinating insects to access the nectar. Try not to use too many pesticides as these can also do damage to the bees.
If possible, also provide some sort of nest site for solitary bees. Hollow stems such as bamboo canes are ideal. Nest tubes are also readily available.
If you aren’t too fussed about having a perfectly trimmed and manicured lawn, allow the grass to grow a little longer to allow flowers such as clover to come through.
CheckoutSpy has put together a short list of popular plants which are pollinating-insect friendly below:
Spring Flowers for Bees
* Bluebells
* Daffodils
* Rosemary
* Rhododendron
* Forget-me-not
* Hellebore
Early Summer Flowers for Bees
* Comfrey
* Fennel
* Foxglove
* Geranium
* Teasel
* Thyme
* Sweet Pea
Late Summer Flowers for Bees
* Buddleia
* Cornflower
* Fuschia
* Heather
* Ivy
* Lavender
* Penstemon
If you would like to know more, consider taking a bee-keeping course or browse our selection of bee books.
Category: Home & Garden, How-To
Tags: bees, flowers, gardening, wildlife
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