8 Plants to Attract Bees to Your Garden

There is nothing quite like a garden alive with bees, busy buzzing between the blooms. And luckily there are many things you can do to attract bees to your garden.

Knowing you can make a difference to these important pollinators by merely adding a few plants rich in pollen and nectar, makes it a very easy and satisfying thing to do. Planting with bees in mind, brings a whole new dimension of sights, sounds and general well-being to your garden.

In addition to honeybees and solitary bees, we have over 20 types of bumblebee here in the UK. The best way to attract to bees and other pollinators (including the overlooked hoverflies) into your garden is to supply nectar and pollen for as long as possible throughout the year, beginning with spring bulbs, snowdrops and Hellebores spp. Although many of the plants nature supplies, for example the dandelion, provide copious amounts of nectar and pollen, they are not necessarily the plant we like to cultivate or to take pride of place in the border. Instead, why not try planting some of the following examples.

Singing the Blues for Bees

plants to attract bees to your garden Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign’ - good for partial shade, interesting leaves and pretty blue flowers.

plants to attract bees to your garden Erysimum

Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’ - a classic for pots and borders, scented and long lasting for many months.

plants to attract bees to your garden ajuga reptans

Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’ - ground cover with ‘chocolate’ leaves and spikes of deep blues.

Plant Now for Summer

And it’s a good time to sow now for swathes of Summer blue flowers for bees:

plants to attract bees to your garden cornflower

Cornflowers - Easy to grow, in a range of blues. And they look spectacular en-masse!

plants to attract bees to your garden borage

Borage - Easy to grow, an abundance of bright blue star flowers. This is possibly the easiest, most cost-effective way to attract bees to your garden. And the flowers add interest to ice-cubes for summer drinks.

plants to attract bees to your garden cerinthe major purperascens

Cerinthe Major ‘Purpurascens’ - interesting dark purple and blue flowers with grey green leaves.

plants to attract bees to your garden eryngium

Eryngium spp - Sculptural and long-lasting in the border, self-seeds and provides seedheads for winter interest and seasonal wreaths. And sow seeds for a native wildflower amongst the borders, perhaps?

plants to attract bees to your garden Teasel

Teasel - Statuesque and will not only attract bees to your garden, but goldfinches also love the seeds later in the year.

If you are thinking about planting a blue bee-friendly shrub, there are few to match the bee attractiveness of Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ AGM, or perennials such as Scabious spp, Catmint (Nepeta spp) and Geranium spp, (bees love Geranium phaeum var ‘Samobor’ in my garden and it flowers for months). Some of the best herbs for bees include Rosemary spp, and Lavandula angustifolia English Lavender, Hidcote Blue and Munstead; all good traditional varieties, and useful in the kitchen, too.

As for garden design, blues give the illusion of space and distance. Blues add depth to borders and, if planted en-masse, can be reminiscent of dreamy, tranquil bluebell woods. And who can resist that?

Raised Bed Planting 1024x680 1

How can we help?

If you want a bit of help choosing plants to attract bees to your garden, or with any other aspect of garden design, landscaping or maintenance, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Here at George-Stone Gardens we provide a full range of garden and landscaping services in and around Cheltenham. Our friendly team are always on hand to help you with your outside space!

Get in touch with us today to find out more.

8 Plants That Will Attract Bees to Your Garden

Singing the Blues for Bees

Plant Now for Summer

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