Planting for Bees: How to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden

As cities expand and farming intensifies, bees and other pollinators are losing their natural habitats. Since the 1930s, 98% of wildflower meadows in England and Wales have disappeared, leaving bees with fewer food sources. Gardens can help make up for this loss!
Our Bee’s and Honey Handbook offers simple, actionable steps to create a bee-friendly garden, helping protect these vital creatures. If you’re interested in going even further and learning more about caring for bees, our Beekeeping Course at River Cottage can give you hands-on experience in bee management, offering you the knowledge to support bees in your own garden.

Here are just a few tips from the book to get you started!

The Importance of Planting for Bees

Imagine eating only one type of food, day in and day out. For bees, this is the reality in monoculture environments, where they’re often shipped to pollinate large-scale crops. Thor Hanson, in his book Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees, paints a picture of bees struggling in such environments. Bees need a diverse diet to stay healthy, just like we do. Without variety, their immune systems weaken, and they become more vulnerable to environmental toxins.

When bees are given access to a wide range of flowers, they get the nutrients they need to thrive. This is why planting for bees goes beyond just adding a few flowers – it’s about creating a diverse habitat that provides the right nourishment for them.

Why Bees Like Certain Flowers

Not all flowers attract bees equally. Some are especially good for them due to their shape, size, and nectar production. To support a wide range of bee species, plant a variety of flowers with different shapes, sizes, and bloom times. This ensures bees have a constant nectar supply throughout the year, even when some flowers are out of bloom.

Flowers with Pincushion-Like Blooms

Flowers like Knautia, Astrantia, and Echinacea have multiple small blooms clustered together, making them perfect for honeybees. These flowers allow bees to easily access nectar with their short proboscis (the “straw” they use to drink nectar).

Spiky Flowers

Flowers with individual blooms on long spikes, such as lavender, Liatris, and Veronicastrum, are also excellent for bees. These provide a steady nectar supply and are easily accessible for honeybees.
However, not all bees feed in the same way. For instance, salvia is so attractive to honeybees and bumblebees that they sometimes create holes at the base of the flowers to access nectar from the long-necked blooms.

Avoiding Pesticides

When planting for bees, it’s crucial to avoid chemicals that can harm them. Pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilisers can all be toxic to bees and other beneficial insects. Instead, try to garden organically.

If you’re buying seeds or plants, check that they haven’t been treated with harmful chemicals. Choose organic seeds and bulbs, as they’ll always be free of pesticides. If you’re unsure, buy from organic suppliers or swap plants with neighbours who practice organic gardening. By keeping chemicals out of your garden, you’re ensuring that your flowers are a safe and healthy food source for bees. If you’d like some guidance on organic gardening, we cover all of this in our Get Growing Courses at River Cottage.

Think in Colour: What Bees Like to See

Bees see the world differently from us. They can’t detect red, but they’re drawn to blue and violet flowers. They also see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye but helps bees find nectar. Some flowers even change colour once they’ve been pollinated, signalling to bees that there’s no more nectar available.

To attract bees to your garden, focus on planting flowers in shades of purple. Bee favourites include chive blossoms, verbena, and thyme. These plants are often buzzing with activity because bees are naturally drawn to these colours.

How to Get Started

Now that you know what makes a garden bee-friendly, here’s a recap of the key points we covered to help you get started:

• Plant a Variety of Flowers: Include a range of flowers that bloom at different times of the year, ensuring a constant source of nectar for bees.
• Choose Bee-Friendly Plants: Opt for plants like Knautia, Astrantia, Echinacea, lavender, and thyme, which are particularly attractive to bees.
• Avoid Chemicals: Choose organic gardening methods and avoid using harmful pesticides and fertilisers.
• Create a Natural Habitat: Let your garden thrive with a mix of plants, insects, and wildlife. Compost, mulch, and feed the soil naturally to create a healthy environment.
• Think in Colour: Choose flowers in shades of purple, blue, and violet, which bees are especially drawn to.

Wrapping Up: Your Bee-Friendly Garden Awaits

Creating a bee-friendly garden isn’t just about planting a few flowers. It’s about creating a diverse, thriving ecosystem that supports bees and other pollinators. By focusing on the right plants, avoiding chemicals, and providing a variety of food sources, you can help protect these vital creatures and ensure they have the nutrients they need to thrive.
So, get started today – your garden, and the bees, will thank you!

For more details on specific plants and herbs, plus loads of great honey recipes, grab your copy of The Bees and Honey Handbook.