The Best Flowers For Bees And How To Create A Bee Garden

Do you have any blooms that are particularly attractive to bees in your garden or backyard? You may want to consider including at least a couple more in such a case. Just in 2019, one-third of the bee population in the United States was lost. Because bees are necessary for life on Earth as we know it, we must do all in our power to stop the number of bees from continuing to fall.

It is important to consider several aspects when planning a stunning garden for your backyard. But we think that one of the essential things is ensuring that your garden will positively impact the wider world, besides the obvious benefits of enhancing one's aesthetic experience and promoting relaxation.

That is less difficult to do than you may imagine. If you want to do your bit to improve the state of the planet, one thing you can do is cultivate a garden that serves as a haven for many species of bees, including drones, soldiers, the queen, and worker bees. So, which kind of flowers for bees? And which flowers are the most attractive to bees? Continue reading to find out!

Why Should You Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers?

It is more crucial than ever to establish friendly habitats for these tiny pollinators and do everything we can to help honeybee colonies survive since their survival is becoming more complex. If it weren't for bees, a significant portion of the fruits and vegetables in our meals wouldn't be possible. A considerable number of the gorgeous flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer months would vanish.

Some of the foods that would go extinct include citrus fruits, broccoli, and avocados. Because of this, it is pretty important to steer clear of using any artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides in your garden. In addition, it would be beneficial for you if you attempted to maintain your garden flowering for the entire growing season.

We live in a world that would have been quite different without bees, as there would be very few things that we take for granted today if it wasn't for bees. Maintaining a garden that is welcoming to honeybees and other pollinators may significantly contribute to protecting the natural world.

Which Flowers Do Bees Prefer To Visit?

Flowers are the only source of specific nectar and pollen necessary for bees to survive. To be more precise, bees like flowers because of the pollen and nectar they produce. Bees may benefit in their unique ways from each of these. The sweet fluid found in the center of flowers is known as nectar. On the other hand, pollen is made up of tiny grains that attach themselves to the anthers of the flowers. Pollen is the only source of protein that honeybees need in their diet. They gather it, then transport it back to their hive, where they put it away in brood cells after storing it.

Bees make bee bread from pollen by combining it with honey and then feeding it to their young as a source of nutrition. In a nutshell, pollen plays an important role in the growth and maturation of a beehive. On the other hand, nectar is a significant source of carbs and should not be overlooked. Bees feed on it to give themselves an energy boost. On the other hand, most of it is stored in their stomachs and brought back to the hive.

In their stomachs, the nectar transforms into a honey-like substance that is more watery than usual. The worker bees then distribute this honey-like substance throughout the hive from mouth to mouth until the water content is gone. After that, they put it away in cells sealed with wax for the next generation. The majority of bees will only collect nectar or pollen. The most effective strategy for luring bees to your garden is cultivating a variety of flowers high in the amount of nectar or pollen they produce.

The Most Attractive Flowers For Bees

In addition, flowers with only a single row of petals make it simpler for bees to eat on them than blooms with many rows of petals that overlap. Brightly colored flowers, especially those with blue, purple, and yellow hues, are the ones that bees are drawn to the most. This is something else to keep in mind. However, any other color will go as well. I think we've got that out of the way now. Let's move on to some of the flowers that bees tend to find particularly appealing.

1. Lavender (Lavandula)

This lovely-smelling plant may live for many years as a perennial herb in warm areas. They bloom with the deep purple hue is the most popular type, and the bees like it. Lavender is a plant that requires little care and may thrive in areas with poor soil and little water. Although there are quite a few cultivars available, it is recommended that you adhere to the more traditional kinds for this situation.

2. The Black-eyed Susan Flower (Rudbeckia Hirta)

The Black-eyed Susan flower may also be seen in scarlet, mahogany, bronze tones, and its trademark brilliant yellow color. You may also come across flowers that have petals of two different colors. This flower, known as a perennial, is simple to care for and grow. In addition to this, the Black-eyed Susan can adapt admirably to poor and arid soil conditions. It is an excellent bloomer for the late summer months that attract bees.

3. Bee Balm (Monarda)

This one's identity is quite apparent. Isn't it based on the name? There should be a patch of bee balm in every garden that welcomes honeybees. Horsemint, Lemon beebalm, and Scarlet beebalm are only a few species that belong to this genus. This means that there is a wide range of colors available for this product, such as pink, white, purple, and various shades of red. There is always a variety of Bee Balm that can be found to complement the overall color scheme of your garden.

4. Heliotrope Of The Commons (Heliotropium Arborescens)

The Common Heliotrope, which has tiny, vivid bunches of purple and blue, is a bloom that is also very popular with bees. You'll fall for its vanilla aroma, aside from its vivid colors. This aromatic flower prefers shaded areas and soil with high moisture content.

5. Coneflower Of The Purple Variety (Echinacea Purpurea)

These magnificent blossoms, which range in color from pink to purple, will inevitably entice pollinating bees to visit your garden. It is ideal to position plants belonging to the Echinacea genus, which are often tall plants with showy blooms, at the rear of your garden, where they may serve as a background for other, more compact flowers.
In addition to luring bees to your garden, purple coneflowers may be used to concoct natural remedies for the common cold and influenza. These herbs are excellent for strengthening the immune system.

6. A Crop Of Sunflowers (Helianthus Annuus)

Sunflowers provide pollinators with an ample avenue to seek pollen and nectar in their blooms with their enormous center discs. If you want to bring in a lot of bees, they are an excellent choice.
If you sow the seeds before the last frost of the year, you should be able to cultivate sunflowers almost anyplace successfully.

7. Crocus (Crocus Sativus)

Another perfect flower that brings joy to bees is the crocus, which comes in various colors, including deep yellows, purples, and blues. When planting Crocus bulbs, ensure that they are planted four inches before the autumn and get adequate water. When fully formed, these blossoms provide a substantial amount of nutrition to bees.

8. Shrub Roses (Rosa Spinosissima, Rosa Canina, Rosa Rubiginosa)

There are many different varieties of roses, but not every single one of them is good for bees. Choose roses for your shrubbery that are fragrant, single or semi-double double, and have open centers. Be aware that not all types of roses will attract bees to your garden. For instance, sweetbriar and rugosa roses, both of which yield rosehips, are pollinated by bees; nevertheless, pollinators may neglect newer hybrids.

9. Butterfly Weed (Eupatorium Tuberosum) (Asclepias Tuberosa)

Butterfly Weed may be easy to cultivate, but it might take up to a decade for the plant to produce flowers. However, when it blooms, this flower is covered with bees for the whole day. Therefore, it is clear that the anticipation is well worth it. However, if you want to attract bees as quickly as possible, you should opt for plants that blossom more quickly, like Salvia.

10. Salvia (Salvia Divinorum)

Growing salvias from seed is a very straightforward process. They have rapid growth throughout the sweltering heat of summer and continue to mature well into autumn. Blooms may be found in various colors, including red, apricot, blue, and pink. Therefore, you have a wide variety of choices available to you.

11. Snowdrops (Galanthus Nnivalis)

Why do bees like to pollinate snowdrops more than other flowers? They make their appearance before the melting of the last snowfall. Bees whose food stores are virtually depleted will find them an enjoyable sight. Make sure to sow some snowdrop seeds in your garden if you do not already have any of these beautiful flowers growing there.

12. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia Aristata)

There are many different tones of orange, yellow, burgundy, and rust that may be found in blanket flowers, and their petals often have two or even three distinct colors. The blanket flower is a hardy plant that can withstand dry conditions, and they are an excellent addition to rock gardens when planted.

How To Establish A Pollinator Garden

A bee garden may be more than just a sanctuary for birds; it can also foster a flourishing habitat for many plant life. This is because bees are responsible for pollinating flowers. They move pollen from the male half of the flower to the female part, promoting fertilization and the generation of seeds. This all-encompassing book will walk you through all there is to know, from building beehives to putting the finishing touches on a bee garden, to get the most out of your experience.

To set up a bee garden, you don't need to spend a lot of money or have a lot of experience keeping bees, and you don't even need to be an expert at any of those things. You only have to choose the appropriate flowers to attract bees. To get started, follow the instructions that are listed below.

First Step: Putting New Grass Down

Remove the grass and replace it with some of the plants we suggested in the part where we discussed the most attractive blooms for bees.

Second Step: Add A Bee House 

Include one or more bee homes in your landscape design. When you can provide a nesting spot for bees, cultivating a garden for pollinating insects becomes simpler.

Third Step: Make Sure There Is Enough Clean Water

Please make use of a container that is not too deep and fill it with little stones or twigs that the bees may use as a perch while they sip the water. Put it somewhere near to their house, but far enough away so that it won't be bothered by their other animals.

Fourth Step: Avoiding Chemicals

Because bees might be scared away by pesticides and other toxic compounds, you should avoid using them in your garden. Use only natural insecticides such as eucalyptus oil, onion and garlic spray, or a salt spray instead of synthetic ones. You can easily create the majority of them at home.

Step 5: Don't Make A Racket Around the Bees

There is a possibility that noise generators and continuous traffic will disrupt the bees. If you have children, it is essential to keep the part of your garden where the bee home is kept distinct from the regions where the children play, which will help keep the bees safe. It would be best to research the species of bees in your area since not all bees make their nests in wood or stems. There are species of bees that like to establish their homes among hedgerows and shrubs, while other bees prefer to construct their homes in the soil and need a clean area in which to do so.

Advice on How to Cultivate a Flower Garden for Bees

Before discussing some of the finest seeds available for purchase to start a bee garden, we want to share some helpful hints.

• Choose flowers that have just one head since they generate more nectar and allow bees with easier access to the pollen. Hybrid flowers have more than one head.
• Be sure that the flowers in your yard that bees like to visit are always in bloom. This is necessary to get bees to your garden. You should include in their plants that flower in the spring, those that bloom in the summer, and those that bloom later in the year and keep bees busy even into the autumn.
• Bees taste various herbs, including thyme, chives, and mint. However, it is advisable to focus mainly on regional herbs with which the bees are already acquainted.
• Plants with purple blossoms will attract more bees than those with other hues since they can see this color. You may attract bees to your garden by cultivating flowers like lavender and echinacea.
• Be sure to give your flowers the appropriate amount of water for their kind. Maintaining the health of the flowers will also assist in fostering a contented and productive colony of bees.

Moving on now, let's talk about some genuine seeds that may be purchased.

Best Bee Flower Seeds

Here are a few flower seeds that you may use to get your bee-friendly garden off to a flying start by cultivating some of the most attractive blooms for pollinators: bees. You must pay close attention to the planting instructions and do it appropriately.

Bee Friendly Garden Books

You will get helpful insights into creating a bee garden by doing more research about flowers that are attractive to bees, the activities inside the hive, and gardening in general. These are some of the most exciting book titles that we've come across, but you shouldn't limit yourself to just these.

Are You Prepared To Cultivate Some Beautiful Flowers?

Bees are not too picky about their preferences when it comes to flowers. In most cases, they will not pass up a flower if it offers both pollen and nectar and provides easy access. It is of utmost importance to remember that some hybridized flowers are not created to serve as a source of nutrition for the honey bees. Even though they are lovely, it is not recommended to propagate from seeds because they are not ideal. Are you aware of which are the best flowers for bees that you can grow at home?