Lilac Attraction
With brilliant purple and bluish petals, lilacs attract numerous bees, especially since the flowers grow in dense clusters. As a result, bees can stay on the blossoms for even more nectar nourishment without having to fly constantly to other plants.
Bees’ favorite colors are blue, violet and yellow, so planting these hues in your garden is like putting out a all-you-can-eat buffet sign. Avoid planting bee-favorites like sunflowers, violets, lavender, foxglove and crocuses.
Growing a variety of flowering plants helps bees and other beneficial insects. Growing a mixture of annuals, perennials and flowering trees and shrubs will help bees and other beneficial insects that provide natural control of plant pests.
Lesser Periwinkle – Vinca minor – €3 per plant
Vinca minor makes excellent ground cover in shady areas, growing vigorously to forms dense and extensive mats along the forest floor. Commonly used in ornamental gardening the plants provides a valuable source of early nectar for bees and other pollinising insects.
If you ever wondered, does lavender attract bees, then you’ll be pleased to know it’s a great addition. Lavender is one of the most versatile plants on our list, ideal for gardens, pots, flowerbeds and anywhere else you want to include it.
Daylilies and Pollinators
Daylilies are attractive to many pollinators, including butterflies, bees, flies and even hummingbirds. Part of that popularity is due to their cup-like shape that makes it very easy for these tiny creatures to gather up the nectar they need to thrive.
The summer is full of blooming plants for the bees to forage. Wildflowers such as blanket flower, wild sage, wild bergamot, and milkweed are popping up all over the place and vegetable gardens are in full swing. It’s a great time for bees.
While there are many different perennials that attract bees, some have become a favorite of bee gardeners. These are so adaptable that they can grow almost anywhere. Some provide bees with both nectar and pollen.
Marigolds are attractive to bees provided you choose a variety with open centers, so insects can easily find the yellow florets. Little ‘Gem’ marigolds fit this description, but they are not as long-blooming as many French marigolds, which are the preferred type among pollinators in my garden.
Butterflies and bees do not fight over for Angiosperm honey. They may land on a flower at the same moment, but they will fly away one way or other. No fighting there.
Plant Species & Family | Effects On Bees |
---|---|
Astragalus lentiginosus (Fabaceae) | Toxic to bees |
Camellia thea (Theaceae) | Lethal to honey bee larvae |
Ochrama lagopus (Bombacaceae) | Toxic to bees and other insects |
Sophora microphylla (Fabaceae) | Toxic to honey bees |
Unlike mosquitoes, bees are not attracted to the smell of humans but rather to the sweet scents of their perfume, hair products, lotion, and deodorant. Avoid bee attention by wearing unscented products. Use an insect repellent to mask the scents. Natural repellents use citrus, mint, and eucalyptus oils.
Single flowers, left, provide more food for pollinators than double flowers, which are filled with petals. Choose blue, purple and yellow: Bees find blue, purple and yellow flowers most appealing. Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters and Queen Anne’s lace, will attract the largest variety of bees.
Bees need flowers whenever they’re active. … Bedding plants such as winter pansies are of no use – they either have no pollen or nectar or bees can’t access it. Here are eight flowering plants that will help bees survive the winter and on into spring.
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