My favorite plants for attracting Bees

nataliejohnson (64) in gardening • 8 years ago

Bees are very near and dear to me. I can remember my childhood days, even when I was just three years old, watching the bees buzz around me in the clover. But now that I'm in my late 20's, I hardly ever see bees anymore. And when I do spot a bee, I stop whatever I'm doing and follow it with my eyes until it disappears. Bees have become something way more precious and I really appreciate them now.

If you love the bees too, one of the best things you can do for them is to grow plants they like.

What kind of plants do bees like?

Bees are partial to plants that have ample pollen and nectar and flowers that are open or flat. Bees favorite colors are yellow and blue but other bright colors can attract them. They also have a great sense of smell and love the aroma of flowers, even herbs.

My favorite plants for attracting bees

Foxgloves

Marigold

Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks have some of the showiest, most colorful flowers, and the bees take notice. They can simply move from blossom to blossom on the same plant because of its abundance of blossoms.

Coneflower

Hyacinth

Zinnia

Bee_on_Zinnia_elegans_near_Kings_Park_Eternal_Flame-1-.jpg

Sunflowers

Since bees love yellow, it's no surprise why they love sunflowers. To a bee, a sunflower is like a large bulls-eye that is very easy to spot from far away. But the biggest reason bees flock to them? They're loaded with pollen!

Cosmos

Snapdragon

Snapdragons are very inviting to bees. During the daytime, they put out four times the scent than at night so they can lure in the bees during their busiest time of day. Also, these flowers just happen to be perfectly engineered to allow bees access to their nectar, while denying access to insects that are weigh less or more than bees.

Scented Herbs

Bee Balm

Borage

Chamomile

Bees are almost extinct. Let's help save the bees by planting these beautiful flowers!

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Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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8 years ago by nataliejohnson (64)

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nesstopher (43) · 8 years ago

Awesome! Hey I was thinking you might appreciate this first photo in my post! I shot that bumblebee on the passionfruit flower! https://steemit.com/photography/@nesstopher/hidden-valley-paradise-ranch

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pennsif (80) · 8 years ago

We are just about to get bees on our homestead, so we've been planting lots of extra herbs and flowers.

We've got quite a few of the ones you show in your post (particularly foxgloves, marigolds, snapdragon...). Also more lavender of a collection of other herbs as well.

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nataliejohnson (64) · 7 years ago

That sounds great ;) I have quite a bit of work to do at home to get my yard bee-friendly. Right now I do have some marigolds but most of my other flowers growing at the moment are cannas and impatients. But I've got a start at least;)

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nzfxtrader (52) · 8 years ago

The Bee Movie, an important message of our times, since the population of bees has declined, pollination, is a non negotiable process, it is one of our main sources for food in the world. So children, the next time a bee is buzzing around you, do not swat at it or try to kill it. Bees have a much bigger task at hand by pollinating plants, and making nectar for honey. 1/3 of our world food source, and honey come from these working bees. Do not fear Bees, they are like other insects that provide an important purpose on our planet.