Spring Planting for Bees

01 Sep, 2023

September is Bee Aware Month, and it’s a wonderful time to show some love to our buzzing pollinators. Planting flowers for bees can make a real difference, especially now when they need our help more than ever. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating our crops, but their colonies have been facing increasing challenges due to food shortages and climate change in the past couple of decades. As gardeners, we can play a part - by planting a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the year, we provide bees with a consistent food source, even during winter and early spring when flowers are scarce.

Here are a few of our top flowers to plant this spring that will keep our buzzy pollinators' bellies full all season long.

Snapdragon

With delicate blooms standing tall amidst lush green leaves, snapdragons will bring vibrant colour to your garden. These easy-care perennials grow well in free-draining soil and a warm, sunny position. They have an upright habit, making them a beautiful option for mixed borders, containers or planting directly in the garden.

Asters

Displaying vibrant blooms in a variety of colours, asters are sturdy perennials that grow well in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Their nectar-rich flowers make them a popular pit stop for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Asters look beautiful when grown in mixed borders, alongside grasses and other perennials.

Manuka

Leptospermum, commonly known as Manuka, is popular for its vibrant blooms from winter through spring. This beautiful plant will attract bees to your garden and is the source of nectar for Manuka honey. Manuka loves the sun, so choose a sunny area in your garden for planting.

Borage

Borage is a fast-growing annual herb, with vivid blue flowers. Not only is borage a bee attractant but it is also believed to help many plants grow better – including strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers. This herb is a favourite amongst pollinators, attracting both honey bees and bumble bees, as well as butterflies.

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