Why we need bees and how to plant for pollinators Why we need bees and how to plant for pollinators

Why we need bees and how to plant for pollinators

There’s a buzz around bees for a reason – a third of all food that make it to our plates are reliant on these humble bumbles.

3 minutes read

But beyond our bellies, these small creatures are holding up entire ecosystems by pollinating plants, which help us by producing our food, cotton, and oxygen. Without these working wings, the world as we know it would look very different. But it’s no secret that these insects are facing decline due to habitat loss, climate change and farming practices. There is no plan bee, so they need protecting at all costs.

PLANTING FOR POLLINATORS

Make a beeline for your garden, because it’s not too late to help save our network of pollinating pals.

WHICH FLOWERS ARE THE BEE’S KNEES?

Flowers? Good. Planting for pollinators? Gooder.

  • TUBULAR FLOWERS bell shaped flowers facilitate an easy take-off and landing

Example: foxgloves, honeysuckle, penstemons, snapdragons

  • PURPLE FLOWERS did you know bees have a thing for the colour purple?

Example: lavender, buddleia

  • SINGLE PETAL FLOWERS many flowers have been bred to have florets of petal layers, like Delilah’s and Roses. While aesthetic, they’re not much use to bees as the pollen and nectar stored in the centre of the flower is out of reach. Go for plants with nectar which is easily accessible for our fuzzy friends.

Example: daisies, sunflowers

FLOWER POWER BY SEASON

  • AUTUMN Carmichael’s monk’s hood, trailing bellflower, chrysanthemum, tube clematis, autumn crocus, dahlia
  • WINTER Crocus species crocus, winter aconite, winter-flowering heather, snowdrop, hellebore, honeysuckle, oregon progeny, musk willow
  • SPRING Lungwort, honesty, geranium, grape hyacinths, catlin’s giant, rosemary, rhododendrons
  • SUMMER Bergamot, borage, cornflower, foxglove, globe thistle, ice plant, sunflower, hardy geranium, honesty, hollyhock, potentilla

OTHER WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GREEN SPACES GOODER

  • FLOWER POWER Allow lawn ‘weeds’ to flower by cutting less often 
  • PROVIDE WATER puddles, ponds, bird feeder – any water source will work!
  • AVOID PESKY PESTISIDES reduce use of pesticides where possible, and never spray an open flower
  • BEE HOTEL not as swanky as it sounds but you can give solitary bees shelter by creating a bee hotel with resting spots.