Bees play an incredibly important role in our environment by cross-pollinating plants worldwide every day. Without bees, our sensitive ecosystem would struggle to produce the plants that feed our population. Sadly, due to the loss of flower meadows, climate change, and pesticide use, bee numbers are declining rapidly, making it more important than ever to create a nurturing environment for bees in our own backyards.
To attract bees to your garden, plant a mix of flowers that ensure something is blooming year-round. Many native plants are long-flowering and highly attractive to bees, but if natives aren't your preference, many exotic plants also offer pollen and nectar. When choosing plants, consider the design of the flowers and their accessibility to bees. Here are six flowering plants that bees are guaranteed to flock to:
Lavender
Lavender flowers are bee magnets, and there are many species and varieties to ensure long flowering periods. For humid areas, grow spring-flowering French lavender (Lavandula dentata); in cooler zones, try summer-flowering English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).
Sweet Alyssum
This self-seeding annual produces white or purple flowers in a ground-cover style, making it a favorite stop-off for bees and butterflies. A common variety is 'Carpet of Snow,' named for the massive number of white flowers it produces when in full bloom. Sweet Alyssum thrives in full to part shade and flowers from summer through winter.
Native Violet (Viola hederacea)
This spreading native ground cover is great in rockeries or even as a lawn replacement and attracts bees almost all year round. It forms a carpet of small green leaves and flowers almost constantly during the warmer months.
Coneflower
With a flower head made up of multiple small florets in the center, Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) is an insect magnet. It flowers in autumn, making it perfect for bees to top up their stores for winter. The leaves and flower petals are edible, and all parts of the plant have been used in tinctures and other remedies for colds and flu for centuries.
Sweet Basil
Typically, you're taught to pinch off the flowers of basil to prevent it from bolting, but let it flower! When it blooms and drops seeds, new plants will sprout, providing an everlasting supply. Sweet basil is an amazing bee attractor with a sweet smell bees find irresistible. It flowers from summer to autumn.
Native Fuchsia (Correa spp.)
This bee- and bird-attracting evergreen shrub is available in a variety of colors. It's best grown in clumps of four or more to provide a decent group of flowers for insects to forage. Native Fuchsia grows well in shady locations but should be avoided in very dry or tropical areas. It flowers from autumn to spring.
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