Gardening For Bees
Increasing numbers of people are interested in gardening for bees and other pollinators. It really demonstrates that people care about bees, and want to do their bit to help, by providing food and habitat.
On this page, you will find links to a variety of gardening resources featured on this site, providing information about bee friendly gardening, lists of plants for bees, organic gardening, and articles about flower borders and pollination syndromes.
There is also information
about planting for bees in tricky spots, such as shade, clay soil, and
dry conditions.
A range of Gardening For Bees links on this website:
A flower border perfect for pollinators - this one includes Helianthus, Rudbeckia, Echinops and more.
30 Fantastic Flowers For Bees
In fact, far more have been added to this list, with photographs.
20 Fabulous Flowering Shrubs For Bees
A superb range of shrubs with something to cater for a variety of scenarios: a secure boundary hedge, a wildlife shrub that also provides berries, and winter flowering shrubs that will feed the bees and provide a heavenly scent.
Lawns For Bees
Here you’ll find information about helping bees by creating a bee-friendly lawn. Ideas range from adding bulbs, allowing clover to flourish or incorporating a mini-wildflower meadow.
6 Flower Shapes To Include In Your Garden For Bees
This article looks at the importance of including a variety of flower shapes when gardening for bees.
Flowering Bulbs For Bees
There are excellent flower bulbs for bees, from spring favourites, to summer and autumn blooms. Winter flowering bulbs may throw a vital life line to some queen bumble bee species in particular, which emerge from hibernation and urgently need to feed.
Climbing Plants For Bees
Growing vertically is an excellent way to use space efficiently, especially if you have a small garden. Take a look at these suggestions for bee-friendly climbing plants.
Common knapweed is popular with bees including the honey bee Apis mellifera as well as a wide range of pollinating insects.Wildflowers For Bees
Wildflowers are vital for bees and other pollinators, but due to intensive farming methods, building development and general land management practice, we have lost acres upon acres of wildflower habitats, contributing to decline and loss of species. Find out about incorporating wildflowers in your garden to support native pollinators and other wildlife.
Herbs For Bees
Herbs are fantastic for bees! Some herbs are easy to grow in pots where they may still be visited by our buzzy friends. A variety of herbs are not only loved by bees, they have culinary and medicinal uses, or simply provide beautiful fragrance for the garden.
Gardening For Bees In Small Space
How to make the most of a small space, and help pollinators.
Trees, Shrubs And Hedgerows For Bees
It’s easy to forget how important trees, shrubs and hedgerows are for bees. Yet they may provide food in the form of nectar and pollen as well as nesting opportunities. If you’re designing a bee garden, be sure to include them if you can!
White-tailed bumble bee (Bombus lucorum) enjoying the nectar secreted from the flowers of the manuka shrub.
Garden Plants For Bees
A list of garden plants for bees by the seasons, to appeal to a range of bee species, including honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bee species.
Ransoms (wild garlic) grows happily in light shade and wooded areas, and attracts a number of bee species, including mason bees.Shade Gardens For Bees
Shade does not have to be a problem zone. Find out which shade-loving plants are loved by pollinators.
Bee-friendly Climbing Plants
Short of space? Grow vertically, with these beautiful plants that will benefit pollinators.
Bee Plants For Dry And Drought Zones
Dramatic landscapes can be created in areas parched by lack of rain. There are succulents, herbs and wildflowers the bees will love, and that will look beautiful in any garden.
A wonderful, varied flower border for bees.Planning And Planting A Bee Friendly Garden
This is not a list of bee-friendly plants, instead, this is about planning your garden from the beginning, with some tips and practical advice and a free PDF download for you to print and share with allotments, community groups, gardening groups and schools.
Creating A Garden For Bees In Clay Soil
In nature, flowers thrive in all kinds of conditions, including clay soil. Which of these plants should you include if you want to attract bees?
Growing Fruit And Vegetables With A Little Help From The Bees
My favourite food crops, feeding bees and humans alike.
Further information on How Growing Your Own Helps The Bees.
Bee Garden Basics - 10 Tips
Here are some Gardening For Bees quick tips, with links to further information.
Which Lime Trees Are Toxic For Bees?
Lime trees have a reputation for providing food for bees, but some lime trees are actually poisonous for bees! Please spread the word, and gardeners beware!
Plants Toxic For Bees
Plants it may be wise to avoid including in your garden.
Is Acanthus Good For Bees?
Unfortunately, some bumble bee species appear to get trapped and die inside the flower heads.
Gardening Articles
Various articles related to bees and gardening.