![]() ![]() Include Water, Mud and a Damp PuddleĮven though nectar contains 80% water, bees and other pollinators need water to dilute food for their young and to stay hydrated. Contact your local University Extension Service, nearby botanical garden or nature center for help selecting the best bee plants for your region and growing conditions. Plus the native bees and other beneficial insects have evolved with these plants providing a mutual benefit.ĭo some research and ask for help when selecting plants and designing your garden. ![]() They are a richer source of nectar and pollen than cultivated plants. Let some go to flower and watch for visiting bees on thyme, borage, oregano, and other herb flowers. Grow some herbs in the garden and containers for you and the bees. If the nectary is too long they may bore a hole in the side of the flower to reach the nectar inside. Honeybees are in between and gather nectar from a variety of flowers. Longue tongued bees like bumblebees, as well as miner, leaf-cutter, carpenter and mason bees gather nectar from tubular flowers like salvias, penstemon, and monarda. They can only gather nectar and thus pollinate flowers with shallow nectaries like asters, daisies, and members of the carrot family. Include some smaller flowers for short-tongued bees like the halictid, cellophane, and yellow-faced bees. The multiple layers of petals hinder access to what nectar and pollen they contain. Double flowers may be showy but they have less nectar and pollen. Fall flowering plants provide needed energy supplies as the bees and other pollinators prepare for winter.īigger flowers are not always better. Spring bulbs, wildflowers, and perennials provide essential food that is often in limited supply early in the season. Make sure you have something in bloom throughout the growing season. Plus the bees will use less energy when they can gather lots of food from a smaller area. You’ll enjoy the display, the garden will require less maintenance and you‘ll get the attention of the bees you are trying to attract. Grow lots of purple, blue, white, and yellow flowers that are favored by bees. Include plants with different colors and shaped flowers. ![]() The more diverse the visitors, the better for the health and productivity of your garden. Design a landscape filled with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract a diverse group of native bees and pollinators. Like any living organism, native bees and other pollinators need food, water, and shelter. Plants that Attract Native Bees and Other Pollinators This means a more productive garden and a healthier landscape. This habitat and a few changes in your landscape maintenance will attract more native bees and help honeybees and other beneficial insects thrive. Just create the habitat and they will fend for themselves. And native bees need no regular maintenance. Why Garden for Native BeesĪttracting native bees to your garden is more economical than purchasing bees, a beehive, and beekeeping equipment. These often-overlooked bees are major pollinators in our gardens and agriculture crops. But our native bees’ populations are also declining. Pesticides, diseases, loss of habitat, predators and parasites are a few factors contributing to honeybee’s decline. Most of us are aware of the plight of the honeybee. Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden By Melinda Myers - horticulturist and gardening expert ![]()
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