Landscape And Garden Ideas That Are Bee-Friendly

If you want to do something that is good for the environment, plant flowers that are bee-friendly this year. These plants produce enough nectar for bees to survive and thrive so that they can continue to provide and help nature around them. Bees are an integral part of the ecosystem, so treat them to some flowers and plants that will help them live.

Some examples include:

  • Marigolds.
  • Blueberry bushes.
  • Summer-sweet.
  • Elderberry.
  • Honeysuckle, but skip the imported Asian variety, which is an invasive species.
  • Witch-alder.

Some other suggestions for your bee-friendly garden are:

Look for single-head flowers. Single-head flowers produce more nectar for bees than multiple-head blooms. For instance, instead of planting baby's breath, which has a lot of flowers, go with marigolds, which only have one flower per stem.

Go with native species. Always choose native flowers and plants for your region, which are hardy for the season. This ensures that bees will get adequate nectar to pollinate other crops.

Get rid of grass. Get rid of grass in lieu of flowering plants which will help feed the bees. Instead of a lush lawn, plant native wildflowers to cover green space and satisfy area bees.

Opt for year-round plants. Choose year-round options to help the bees thrive and survive during winter months. Depending on where you live in the hardiness zone, the options and common choices will vary.

Skip the hybrids. When choosing the flowers and shrubs that you want to plant, skip hybrids, which produce very little nectar for bees. Ask your landscaper or garden retailer about feasible options for your property.

Do a little extra. Further help the bees around your property with some features and details that will further help them thrive:

  1. Make a bee-bath to provide bees with fresh water every day. Leave shallow dishes of fresh water with rocks and twigs for bees to rest and grab a drink.
  2. Use natural pesticides and avoid chemicals around your property. Opt for natural solutions such as ladybugs to keep pests at bay.
  3. Build the bees a place to burrow by leaving spots of soil free for them. Make sure it is a location that gets the warmth of the sun during the day.

Protect the future of agriculture and do your part for the environment by being kind to bees. Use these tips to plant bee-friendly landscapes and gardens, and to do a little extra to ensure these productive little workers survive and thrive. For help with designing your landscaping, contact a company like All American Landscape Design Inc.


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