Bee Friendly Garden Plans

Bees provide important pollination benefits in the garden.

Bees are a familiar sight in most gardens, as they fly from flower to flower, collecting pollen to make honey. Certain plants attract bees more readily than others, while a wide selection of plants increases the attraction.

Importance

Bees are one of the major pollinating insects, increasing crop production and flowering. Honeybee populations continue fall, making bumblebees increasingly important to plant pollination. Some gardeners simply appreciate watching bees as they move around the garden, according to the Apartment Therapy website.

Favorites

Plants known to attract a large bee population include those in the aster, buckwheat and mint families. Bees prefer fragrant flowers in bright colors.

Bees

Different plants attract different kinds of bees. For example, honeybees love oregano, while large, native bees prefer geraniums. Bumblebees like salvia and anise hyssop.

Tip

Create a garden plan that incorporates a variety of flowers with different blooming times. This attracts bees throughout the growing season. Early flowering plants include lavender and Chinese forget-me-nots. Salvia and veronica bloom later in the season, while sage and asters continue attracting bees to the garden throughout the final months of the growing season.

References

• Apartment Therapy: Attracting Bees and Butterflies in the Garden
• University of California: Guide to Bee-Friendly Gardens
• University of California: Full Plant List
• Fine Gardening: Bring the Buzzzzz Back to Your Garden
• University of Texas: Native Plants to Attract Bees for Vegetable Garden

Resources

• Mother Earth News: Organic Pest Control: The Best Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects and Bees