- \n
- are local and native<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- diverse in color<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- different shapes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- staggered to bloom throughout the entire year<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- do not use pesticides<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- clumped together<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- not hypridized<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you plant a garden keeping this in mind, you are sure to have a very active and thriving population of honey bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local and Native Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to studies, local and native plants are about four times as likely to attract honeybees compared to exotic flowers. Plants must be able to survive until they are mature enough to produce flowers. Local and native plants are more suited to survive in the growing conditions, with very minimial attention and upkeep required on your behalf. Feel free to get creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You do not have to grow just flowers. Bees love perennials (they come back on their own every year), and herbs. Not to mention, you get to enjoy these plants as well. Heirloom varieties are typically more resistant to disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you may want to grow a garden, it is also a good idea to let some native plants grow wild around you. It will help the bees acclimate to your home, and they will stay for the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diverse in Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestdefenseguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Flowers-Diverse-in-Color-may-attract-bees-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFlowers are colorful by design. Yellow, white, blue, purple, and violet flowers especially attract the honey bees<\/a>, as bees have excellent color vision. The colors help the bees find the nectar and the pollen. When planting flowers in your garden, try to plan for having these colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different Shapes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some plants produce a single flower, like daisies, zinneas and marigolds. These flowers are great for the bees, as the single flower produces much more nectar than plants that produce multiple flowers, like double impatiens. Plants with multiple flowers at the head may be beautiful to have in the garden, but if your goal is to attract the honey bees, you need to have plenty of flowers that make it easy for the honey bees to access the nectar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Providing a range of different flower shapes will be sure to attract plenty of different bees. There are over four thousand species of honeybees in North America<\/a>. This means that bees are different sizes and have different tongue shapes, and will want to feast on different flowers. The more diverse the flowers are, the more diverse your honey bee population will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staggered to Bloom throughout the Entire Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Different bees are active at different types of the year, so it is best to make sure that you have blooms year-round. By doing so, you can attract the many different types of bees that are active at different times of the year. It is a good idea to plant flowers that grow best in three different seasons<\/a>. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spring: crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula, wild lilac
Summer: bee balm, cosmos, echinacea, snapdragons, floxglove, hosta
Fall: zinneas, sedum, asters, witch hazel, goldenrod<\/p>\n\n\n\nClumped Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can attract more bees by planting clumps of the same species of flowers together. Bees like to stay in a relatively localized location when they are flying around, rather than hunt for that specific flower species that is scattered throughout a garden. Clumps of flowers that are at least four feet in diameter is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do NOT Use Pestides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Do](\"https:\/\/pestdefenseguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Passive-86-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPesticides are designed to kill bugs. It does not matter which type of bug. Most pecticides kill all the bugs, not just the annoying ones. If you spray your plants, you will kill the honey bees. Even natural pesticides, like garlic spray, is incredibly toxic. Rather than spray, take the time to observe what bugs are populating your garden. They might not be all bad. If you must spray, however, spray only at night<\/a>, and avoid certain sprays that kill the “weedy” plants that pollinators like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ladybugs, praying mantises, and spiders are great for keeping the pests in check. At the end of the day, it is a good reminder to recognize that you are planting a garden for the honey bees and other pollinators. It might take some time, but Mother Nature will find a balance without you having to intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not Hybridized<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some plants are hybridized to be disease resistant, be larger and more colorful, and have longer blooms, but this hybridization also reduces the production of nectar and pollen, and can make the plant sterile. Honey bees and other pollinators are smart. They do not waste their time on sterile plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other Suggestions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It is great that you want to learn how to attract pollinators, and especially honeybees to your garden. Here are some additional suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water Baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind that all beings need water, so it is a good idea to provide the honeybees with an intentional mud puddle, a bird bath, or a shallow dish. Other pollinators, like hummingbirds, will appreciate it too, as collecting pollen and nectar is a very sticky business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shelter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the wonders of honey bees is their delicious honey. You can jump into the realm of honey bee keeping, and build a nuc, which is essentially a box that the bees learn to call their home. Beekeeping out of your own backyard is a special experience, as you will become incredibly tuned into the lives of the honey bees, and consequentially, Mother Nature. Not to mention, talk about local honey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n