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A non-gardener might wonder why anyone would want to attract bees to their property. Bees are annoying, they sting, they build their colonies in your trees – they’re a nuisance, right? Wrong! Any slight nuisance caused by bees on the property is far out-weighed by the benefits they provide. Simply stated, bees are the best pollinators around. They pollinate around 80-90% of our flowers and, more importantly, flowering crops. Without bees, not only your back yard garden, but farming in general would collapse. No bees = no food crops. So, it is vitally important for your garden that you invite the little guys over.
Plants That Attract Bees – Native Plants
First of all, you want to ensure that you use plenty of plants native to the area. Research indicates that, for some reason, bees are up to four times more attracted to native flowers than imports. Also, native plants establish easier and thrive in their local environment. Healthy plants mean plenty of pollen and nectar which attracts the bees. Try to minimize the use of hybrids. Some hybrids have been modified to the point where pollen and nectar production is limited and are, therefore, useless in attracting bees. When selecting landscape or vegetable plants, try to get older or heirloom species. They are much more likely to be strong nectar and pollen producers.
Plants That Attract Bees – Flowers
Make sure your garden or yard contains a wide variety of plants that provide different colors and different blooming seasons. Bees actually can see pretty well and are especially attracted to white, yellow, blue, and purple shades of flowers. By planting different types of flowers, you will attract many of the four thousand different species of bees. They also prefer to move from flower to flower in a small area, so plant your flowers in clumps or patches wherever possible. By planting different types of flowers that bloom at a variety of times from spring to fall, you are providing the longest possible feeding season for the bees.
Plants That Attract Bees – Fruits and Veggies
Fruit and vegetable plants that flower at different times in the growing season include cantaloupe, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, and strawberries. Herbs that attract bees include bee balm (obviously!), as well as lavender, mint, rosemary, and sage. If you don’t have a vegetable garden, these flowering plants will do the job – marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias, crocuses, geraniums, and roses. This is only a partial list of the many flowering plants that will sound the dinner bell for the helpful bee population.
Now that you know why you need bees and how to attract them, the final thing to remember is to stay away from pesticides and other chemicals. Pesticides kill all insects, not just the bad ones. Don’t go to all the trouble to create a welcoming environment for the bees just to kill them off once they get there. Use organic pesticides and home remedies if necessary and keep your yard healthy and wildlife –friendly.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about beneficial insects and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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