Well Bee-ing: Plants to grow for spring

Because of climate change, every year an estimated 30% of bee populations die. That equates to a total net worth of 2 billion dollars.

Planting vegetation that can attract bees are beneficial to not only you, but your garden’s health. Creating a diverse and interesting garden for your insect friends can strengthen the overall well being in an area and accentuates the natural beauty an ecosystem is able to have.

For all the plants listed, fertilization and watering are all pretty timely. Watering should be from one to one and a half weeks apart. Fertilization should come between two to three months to ensure health and wellness for your small beauties. Do not keep your garden incredibly neat, while doing so limits the raw materials your bees need to create their nests.

Here’s a list of great plants to put in your gardens:

Fruits and Vegetables

1) Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries

These berries promote pollination, especially since Sweat and Mason Bees can be natively found and are attracted most to the berry bushes. These plants are best for large areas, but a small five by five plot can be just as good.

2) Legumes

Legumes and beans can also be great pollination spots for bees in the same ways berry plants can be.

Flowers and Bushes

Use flowers that are single, as in they have their own petals laying flat and open for the bee’s to take easily. Bees are attracted to blue and purple more than other colors. Though they will use other flowers, those colors are more attractive and a first choice to them.

3)Wildflowers* and flowers of all kind

Since wildflowers come in diverse species and genuses, they can be very beneficial to the bees in your area. Generally, the flowers are beautiful in color and smell. Alyssum, Anise Hyssop, Butterfly Weed, Aster, Lantana, Fennel, Borage, Sunflower, Oregano, Penstemon, Coneflower, Cranesbill, Clover, Bee Balm, Poppies, and Black-eyed Susans’ are fantastic flowers to plant to attract native bees.

4)Bushes and Trees

Bird of Paradise, Rosemary, Lavender, Basil, Mint, and Winter Savory all attract bees. Bushes also provide a good border for your gardens even when things aren’t as neat as usual. These plants grow quite a bit more than the flowers, but have a variety of uses.

 All in all, bees are incredibly vital to every ecosystem in the world. Whether you care about them or not, these plants are beautiful. Knock out two birds with one stone by planting these incredible organisms and save a bee.