Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden
By Brian Clark Howard
There is a wide array of common plants that support bees, from annual flowers to popular perennials, garden vegetables, shrubs and even trees.
It isn't difficult to make your yard, garden or even patio space a haven for beneficial bees. You'll be helping these important insects, as well as bringing more nature to your back door.
The greater the plant diversity, the more bees and other wildlife your garden will attract and support (including both honey bees, which aren't native to North America and native bees like orchard mason bees). Always try to choose as many native plants as possible, and consult with local nursery staff or other experts to find vegetation that will thrive in your specific conditions.
And remember, the more bees you attract, the more your gardens will grow, since so many vegetables and flowers require pollination.
For more wildlife gardening tips, see National Wildlife Federation's gardening campaign or check out The Daily Green's tips for creating a bird garden.
Here is a partial list of tried-and-true bee attractors:
Annuals
Asters Calliopsis Clover Marigolds Poppies Sunflowers Zinnias |
Perennials
Buttercups Clematis Cosmos Crocuses Dahlias Echinacea English Ivy Foxglove Geraniums Germander Globe Thistle Hollyhocks Hyacinth Rock Cress Roses Sedum Snowdrops Squills Tansy Yellow Hyssop |
Fruits & Veggies
Blackberries Cantaloupe Cucumbers Gourds Fruit Trees Peppers Pumpkins Raspberries Squash Strawberries Watermelons Wild Garlic |
Herbs
Bee Balm Borage Catnip Coriander/Cilantro Fennel Lavender Mints Rosemary Sage Thyme |
Shrubs
Blueberry Butterfly Bush Button Bush Honeysuckle Indigo Privet |
Trees
Alder American Holly Basswood Black Gum Black Locust Buckeyes Catalpa Eastern Redbud Golden Rain Hawthorns Hazels Linden Magnolia Maples Mountain Ash Poplar Sycamore Tulip Willows |
Citrus Mexican clover (Richardia scabra L.)
Gallberry (Ilex glabra) Cabbage or Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto)
White Tupelo (Nyssa ogeche) Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Ornamentals - Numerous ornamentals in the home landscape will provide blossoms that are attractive to honeybees. Popular trees include hollies, magnolias and redbuds. Good shrubs include privets, ligustrums, and dwarf yaupon holly. Plant diversity in the landscape provides options to honeybees throughout the year, especially in urbanized areas that may limit traditional, wild sources of bee attractors.
Read more: Florida Plants for Honeybees | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/99453-florida-plants-honeybees.html#ixzz1tcLvTgQH
Gene Dempsey, City Forester
Environmental Services
Office - (954) 828-7704 Fax - (954) 828-7897
Think before you print!
