Honey Bee Garden

Why Create a Honey Bee Garden?

Giving serious thought when designing your honey bee garden results in benefits for you and the bees. Honey bees and bumble bees are important pollinators that need a variety of food sources to thrive.

Native bees and other insects will also benefit from the food sources. You are contributing to a healthy ecosystem.

If you are blessed to own a vegetable garden or orchard, having more bee visitors will enhance pollination and increase the yield of your crops.

Choosing the Best Plants

Any experienced gardener knows that choosing the best plants is critical for success – no matter your goal. Choosing flowers for bees is no exception.

Please keep in mind – not everything that blooms will attract honey bees. The prescience of flower does not always guarantee a food reward.

Also, you must consider your growing climate. Search for bee friendly plants that will thrive in your region. Sickly, struggling plants will not appeal to you or the bees.

Native vs Non-Native

I am a big proponent of native plants in all gardening situations-when possible. They will grow well with minimal assistance and you will find many available to choose from.

However, I am also a sucker for the hybrid cultivars that offer fancier blooms and shapes. Why not include a mix of both?

Variety of Nectar & Pollen Sources

Honey bees make honey from plant nectar gathered from millions of blooming flowers. They also collect plant pollen that is used as a protein source for developing young.

Bees need both nectar and pollen. Some types of bee plants produce both but others only produce nectar or pollen. Have a mix of all in your bee garden design.

Another interesting tidbit – plant nectar and pollen is different from different types of plants! From a nutritional point, it is better for your bees to have access to a variety of plants for better health.

This is one reason that colonies involved in migratory beekeeping often suffer poor health. When used to pollinate large fields of one type of crop – their nutritional needs are not met.

Seasonal Bloom Planning

Most plants do not bloom all year – perhaps not even all Summer. Strive to have something blooming in your honey bee garden all season long.

When one type of flower stops blooming, another is just getting started. You can do this by researching the “bloom period” of the flowers you like. Avoid having them all bloom at one time and then nothing for months.

In the warm months of Spring and Summer, nectar-rich flowers help bee colonies grow. Even the flowers of Fall help bees -allowing colonies to store food for Winter.

There are even a few winter plants that help bees in regions where the temperatures are mild. Bees will fly from the hive on warm afternoons.

Top Flowers and Herbs That Attract Bees

You have so many different categories of flowers to consider for your bee friendly gardens. Try to include some from each one to offer a diverse and consistent food source.

Wildflowers and Perennials

Don’t overlook the value of wildflowers for bees and other pollinators. The flowers tend to be small but many have an abundance of blooms. You can also find plant species that adapt well to any type of climate.

Perennials are plants that return year after year to bloom again. For myself, bee friendly perennials are often the centerpiece of a planting.

Every bee garden should include some perennials – they are much less work for the gardener. Though annuals that grow and bloom in one season are a beautiful addition too.

Examples:

• Coneflowers (Echinacea) – especially the old purple standby
• Bee Balm (Monarda) – include companion plants for bee balm
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – very prolific
• Goldenrod (genus Solidago) – goldenrod important fall bee plant
• Lupines (Lupinus)
• Lavender (Lavandula) – bees love lavender

Beneficial Shrubs and Trees

A beautiful centerpiece for your garden could include flowering shrubs that attract bees. They provide beauty, food and nesting sites for other insects and birds.

Though different than our honey bees – mason bees are one example of valuable pollinators that nest in hollow stems.

If you have the space, some trees are great for bees. But, before planting trees or shrubs – check to see what is already growing in your area. You want to supplement or add to the area bee nutrition not compete.

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – early Spring pink blooms
• Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) – large tree – honey flow tree for some regions
• Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) – deer resistant shrub
• Sourwood Trees (oxydendrum arboreum) – love the sourwood honey

Herbs and vegetables that Support Pollinators

There are many herbs to grow for bees and they can also provide fresh herbs for your kitchen. Allowing basil, thyme and similar plants to bloom will bring in the buzzing visitors.

In your vegetable garden, not every plant needs bees. But, cucumber, squash and watermelons depend on insect pollination for highest yield.

Consider Your Space

Make use of the space you have. Don’t let the idea that you don’t have enough room for acres of sunflowers for bees to visit – keep you from doing something.

Not everyone has room for a large tree, but even a few bee friendly container plants on the patio is a great start.

An interesting plant you can grow in a container is the lotus! Yes, lotus tubers planted in large containers can be a great food resource for the bees in your area- and maybe provide a water source too!

If you have a trouble spot in your yard, a space that tends to hold water after a rain – consider planting a rain garden there. Reduce erosion and provide some bee food too!

Plant Grouping

One effective pollinator garden practice is grouping flowers of the same species for maximum attractiveness.

For example, rather than having 4 plants of the same type scattered throughout the garden, plant them close together in one section. Then, have other sections that feature similar plants.

This allows bees to collect the resources needed in the most efficient way. It is also similar to forage plants in the wild that tend to grow in dense bunches.

Planting in Layers

When space allows, creating layers of forage provides a more natural habitat. For example, a small tree, a couple of shrubs and groupings of perennials create a food area that one might find in the wild.

Diverse Colors & Shapes

Honey bees see flowers much differently than we do with our human eyes.

Use diverse colors and flower shapes in your bee garden. While bees seem to prefer simple flower shapes, they will forage on any good food source.

Avoiding Pesticides and Other Hazards

After going to the effort to create your honey bee garden, the last thing you want to do is make it unsafe for your visitors.

Whenever possible, use organic gardening practices to control unwanted weeds and insects. Bee friendly weed killers are available to buy or make at home.

Avoid chemical pesticides and if you must use them – do your research. A thorough understanding of how pesticides affect bees will help you make the best choice. Avoid using dusts – such as Sevin Dust near bees.

Maintaining a Thriving Bee Garden

Once your garden is established you should only need to do some seasonal maintenance. Unless you desire a formal setting, let some plants go to seed. This provides food for birds and adds to the beauty of your planting.

Some natural areas are desirable. Many weeds feed bees during certain times of the year. Learn which ones grow in your area.

Key Points to Remember

• some plants can be toxic to bees – not normally a big concern, but why add them?
• avoid plants that are invasive in your region, even if they do feed pollinators
• consider some bee free zones –dogs often try to eat bees – who needs that stress
• bee visitors to your garden will depend on bee density in your region and other available food