Plants That Attract Bees: How to Help Them Blossom in Your Back Yard

In recent years, the plight of bees has become a hot topic for environmentalists, gardeners, and anyone concerned about the health of our planet. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many of the crops we rely on for food, not to mention the flowers and plants that make our landscapes so beautiful. Recognizing the importance of creating a diverse habitat is crucial to support a variety of bee species, each with its unique needs and preferences. Yet, their numbers are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. The good news? You can make a difference right in your own backyard. Whether you’re an avid bee enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the importance of conservation, this guide will show you how to create a haven for bees and help them thrive.

Native Plants to Attract Bees

Creating a bee-friendly garden is all about choosing native plants that bees love, as these plants are adapted to the local environment and provide a familiar habitat for local bees. Flowering plants play a crucial role in attracting bees to the garden, as they are necessary for reproduction through pollination and support the bee population. Here’s a list of plants that are known to attract bees with their nectar and pollen, emphasizing the importance of incorporating a variety of flower shapes to cater to different bee species.

1. Lavender

Not only does lavender have a calming scent for humans, but its rich nectar also offers a feast for bees. Lavender blooms throughout the summer, providing a consistent food source.

2. Sunflowers

These towering beauties are not just a joy to look at; they’re also great for bees. Their large heads provide plenty of nectar and make it easy for bees to gather their food.

3. Foxgloves

Foxgloves are a magnet for bees. Their bell-shaped flowers are perfect for bees to crawl into and collect nectar.

4. Crocuses: Early Spring Flowering Plants

Planting crocuses in your garden can give bees an early spring feast. These are among the first flowers to bloom when the weather warms up, offering a critical food source when little else is available.

5. Borage

Also known as starflower, borage produces a beautiful blue flower that bees absolutely adore. It’s known for its high nectar production, making it a must-have in any bee garden.

Ways to Protect Bees

Attracting bees to your garden is the first step, but protecting them and other beneficial insects so they can thrive is equally important. Here are some ways you can help keep bees and other pollinators safe in your backyard:

It's crucial to protect not just bees but also a diverse range of pollinating insects, including butterflies, hummingbirds, and native species, by fostering a welcoming environment for them.

1. Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides can be harmful to bees, even those advertised as organic or natural. The best practice is to avoid using them altogether. If you must use a pesticide, opt for one that is bee-friendly and apply it during the evening when bees are less active. It's important to note that the impact of pesticides extends beyond bees, affecting butterflies and other insects, which play crucial roles in our ecosystems.

2. Provide Water

Just like all living creatures, bees need water to survive. Set up a small water basin or a birdbath in your garden. Add stones or marbles to it so bees can land and drink safely without drowning.

3. Leave Some Garden Areas Wild

Bees, including solitary bees, need places to nest and hibernate. Solitary bees, which do not live in colonies like honey bees, greatly benefit from specific nesting sites. By leaving some areas of your garden a little wild, with piles of leaves, grass cuttings, or even a small woodpile, you provide essential habitat for bees. Additionally, considering the behavior of solitary native bees, which nest in wood or the ground, creating man-made shelters or bee hotels can offer vital support for these native bees that don't live in traditional beehives.

4. Support Local Beekeepers

One of the best ways to help bees thrive is to support local beekeepers by purchasing their honey and other products. This not only helps sustain the beekeepers’ efforts in caring for bees but also ensures that you’re getting pure, high-quality honey.

5. Educate Others

Share your knowledge about bees and their importance with friends, family, and neighbors. The more people understand about the critical role bees play in our ecosystem, the more likely they are to take steps to protect them.

Help Different Bee Species

Helping bees flourish in your backyard doesn’t require a lot of space or a green thumb. To encourage bees and attract different bee species, consider using clumps of flowers and grouping plants of the same species together, as this variety is crucial for supporting a diverse range of bee species.

By planting the right flowers and taking steps to protect these vital pollinators, you can contribute to the conservation of bees and, by extension, the health of our planet.

Supporting many bee species is essential, requiring a long season of blooms with different species flowering in succession to ensure a continuous supply of food.

Remember, every little action helps when it comes to saving these precious creatures.

Providing suitable nesting sites for honey bees and other solitary bees is also vital for supporting their populations and the local ecosystem. Bees play a crucial role in helping to pollinate plants, which is essential for the growth of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Start today, and watch as your garden becomes a bustling hub of bee activity, full of life and beauty, by also considering the planting of large shrubs or flowering trees to create extra-large groupings of one flower type.