IN THE GARDEN
ardens are not only beautiful places offering peace, tranquillity and inspiration to gardeners and visitors, but they also support a wide range of wildlife. For bees, gardens are invaluable in providing nectar for energy, protein from pollen to feed their larvae and, for some species, shelter. In the UK, we have more than 250 species of bee, but their numbers have been declining due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, pesticide use and climate change, as well as pests and diseases, including the parasitic varroa mite that attacks and kills honey bees. So, what bee-friendly plants can we grow to support these essential pollinators? The good news is that there is a variety of plants we can grow to attract bees. Whether in your own garden or out for a walk, it’s easy to spot which flowers are most effective at luring them in and rewarding them with pollen and nectar. What’s fascinating is that many of these plants have developed features to help bees pollinate their flowers. As one example, foxgloves have a landing platform and nectar guides – visual markings that guide bees to the pollen and nectar in the throat of the flower. Other plants, such as sunflowers, guide by ultraviolet patterns in their petals that are visible to bees but not to humans. Bees are also unable to see the colour red, and are mainly attracted to purple, pink and blue flowers. Interestingly, single flowers are more effective at attracting pollinating bees than double flowers, which hinder access to nectar and pollen. Planting for all-year-round interest While it’s tempting to think of bees only during summer, they will forage for food in all seasons, and gardeners can create a display of bee-friendly flowers throughout the year. During the winter months, bees will eagerly seek out plants such as snowdrops, Oregon grape and winter honeysuckle. As spring arrives, bulbs such as tulips, flowering cherries and herbaceous
• Select plants to provide flowers year-round. • Bees are most attracted to purple, blue and pink flowers, though will pollinate other coloured flowers too. • Consider adding a bee hotel and bee water station. • Avoid using chemicals that are harmful to bees. Top tips for attracting bees to your garden
perennials like cowslip and lungwort provide welcome food for bees. Summer will bring a wealth of bee-friendly plants including rosemary, foxglove, globe thistle and honeysuckle. Autumn favourites such as sedum, asters and single dahlias offer invaluable food sources, along with the native ivy, whose autumn flowers are often amassed with bees. While we may take the humble bee for granted, there’s every reason to encourage them to visit our gardens, and even the smallest plot can support a few bee-friendly flowers. Here at Cambridge
HIVE MIND The Botanic Garden's Bee Borders are a haven for bees throughout the foraging season
94 MAY 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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