6 PLANTS TO ATTRACT BEES BY SEASON

Transcription

1 6 PLANTS TO ATTRACT BEES BY SEASON This section covers plants that are generally acknowledged to attract bees don t forget, many of these will attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife into your garden, as well as being good to look at and maybe good to eat so it s a win-win-

2 win-win-win situation! It s divided into flowering seasons and types of plants for your easy reference. They are Northern Hemisphere seasons so if you re in the Southern Hemisphere, you ll need to reverse the months - be honest, some of the plants you can grow, we would envy you so it s a very little thing you re having to do! There is some overlap with seasons if it s substantial, I ve added it to the preceding or following season if it s only a month, then I ve left it in its main flowering season as the lists are huge already and would be too confusing. So for instance, if a plant flowers from April to June, it will be in the Spring list if it flowers from January to April, it will be in Winter and Spring. Where there is more than one species, the flowering seasons may seem as though they are very long. Within the species, flowering can be in succession and it s unlikely that one plant will be in

3 flower for 6 months, with the exception of a few annuals which need dead heading to prolong the flowering season. Use a reliable source such as the Royal Horticultural Society, Kew Gardens, American Horticultural Society or Australian Horticultural Society to research appearance, suitable species, size, required aspect and exact flowering months. There are notes beside some of the entries they will give you a bit more information about the plant the code is below. N nectar P pollen spp species which means all the different varieties of the plant group. If you re serious about planting to help bees, then you can select plants from these lists to suit yourself as well as the pollinators.

4 I love evergreens as they give my garden structure whatever the season. This can often be at the expense of flowers. When I began researching these plants, I was amazed at the wide variety I could plant that were evergreen but also flowered and were attractive to pollinators. There are over 150 species listed here covering every category of plant and all seasons. As a general rule when selecting varieties of the plants listed: Choose single flowers over doubles Open flowers think daisy and sunflowers are good Bell shaped flowers think foxglove are good Avoid hybrids as they have little pollen or nectar Aim to have something in flower all year round

5 Vegetables need pollinators and have their own section as to which attract bees Herbs are extremely attractive to bees and have a separate listing Fruits need pollinators. Some are listed within trees but there is a section for cane and bush fruit Avoid using pesticides

6 Spring Trees Flowering Color N/P Notes Acer atropurpureum May-Jun Purple/ Red NP Acer species Mar-May Purple/ Red P All but the Japanese Maple will flower. Amelanchier lamarckii Mar White NP Edible fruit in summer. Cercis siliquastrum Apr-May Purple NP Judas Tree. Corylus Mar-Apr Catkins P Hazel tree. Useful early pollen. Crataegus May White NP Hawthorn. Many

7 Cydonia oblonga Apr-May Pink White NP species. Quince. Magnolia stellata Mar-Apr White P Very fragrant. Malus baccata Apr-May Various NP Crab Apple. Mespilus germanica May White P Medlar. Prunus cerasus Mar White N Morello Cherry. Good nectar. Prunus domestica Apr White NP Plums. Prunus dulcis Mar Pink P Ornamental Almond. Prunus persica Mar Pink N Peach. Prunus spinosa Mar-May White NP Blackthorn or Sloe. May produce edible

8 Prunus subhirtella Nov-Mar White Pink P fruit. Winter Flowering Cherry. Salix caprea Mar-Apr Catkins P Willow. Salix hastata Feb-Mar White Yellow NP Sorbus aria May-Jun White NP Common Whitebeam. Sorbus aucuparia Apr-May White NP Mountain Ash.

9 Climbers Flowering Color N/P Notes Clematis armandii Apr-May Cream NP Evergreen. Clematis montana Apr-May White NP Hydrangea petiolaris May-Jun White NP Climbing hydrangea. Hedging Flowering Color N/P Notes Crataegus monogyna May White NP Hawthorn. Red berries. Ilex aquifolium May-Jun White NP Holly. Evergreen. Red

10 berries. Prunus laurocerasus Pyracantha coccinea Apr White NP Cherry Laurel. Evergreen. Black/red berries. May-Jun White NP Evergreen. Bright berries.

11 Shrubs Flowerin g Flowe r N/ P Notes Color Berberis spp Apr-Jun Various NP Evergreen. Black berries. Many varieties. Buddleia globosa May-Jun Orange N Orange ball tree. Semievergreen. Ceanothus Apr-May Blue NP Evergreen varieties are best. Chaenomele s speciosa Mar-Jun Pink or White NP Quince. Thorny. Yellow fruit. Choisya ternata Apr-Jun White P Mexican Orange Blossom.

12 Evergreen. Fragrant. Cornus mas Feb-Apr Yellow NP Cornelian cherry. Cotoneaster spp May-Jun White NP Many species. Deciduous or Evergreen. Red berries. Cytisus May-Jun Yellow NP Broom. Black berries. Escallonia macrantha May-Oct Pink NP Evergreen. Forsythia Mar-Apr Yellow NP Helianthemu m May-Jul Various NP Rock rose. Bright flowers. Evergreen. Lavandula May-Aug Blues White NP Lavender. Fragrant.

13 Pink Evergreen. Lonicera fragrantissim a Feb-Apr Various NP Honeysuckle very fragrant. Could also be used as a climber/scrambl er. Prunus laurocerasus Apr White NP Cherry Laurel. Evergreen. Rhododendr on May Various NP Huge bell like flowers. Evergreen. Small varieties and azaleas. Ribes Apr Various NP Many different species in red, white, yellow, pink. Rosmarinus Apr-May Blue NP Rosemary. Fragrant. Evergreen.

14 Salix species Mar-Apr Catkins NP Shrubby Willows with catkins. Syringa species Viburnum davidii Viburnum plicatum Viburnun species Weigela florida Apr-Jun Various NP Lilac. Strongly scented. May-Jun White NP Evergreen. Black/blue berries. May White NP Fragrant flowers. Dark berries. Apr-May White NP Evergreen and Deciduous varieties available. May-Jun Pink N

15 Perennials Flowering Color N/P Notes Pulmonaria officinalis Jan-May Pink Blue N Lungwort. Semi evergreen. Bulbs Flowering Color N/P Notes Anenome apeninna Mar-May Blue P Good display of flowers. Anenome nemorosa Mar-May Pink White P Wood anemone. Partial shade.

16 Crocus Feb-Apr Various NP Early spring flowers. Galunthus nivalis Jan-Apr White NP Snowdrops. Muscari Mar-May Blue NP Grape hyacinth. Annuals Flowering Color N/P Notes Viola cornuta Apr-Oct Blue N Dead head to prevent seeding to extend season.

17 SUMMER Trees Flowerin g Color N/ P Notes Aesculus species Ailanthus altissima Catalpa spp May-Aug White & Pink NP Chestnuts. Deciduou s. Jul-Aug Green N Large leaves. Red winged fruits. Deciduou s. Jul-Aug Speckled NP Scented foxglove like flowers. Deciduou

18 Eucalyptus Jul-Aug White N Aromatic. Evergreen. s Gleditsia tricanthos Ilex aquifolium Koelreutari a paniculata May-June Green N Highly scented. Deciduou s May-Jun White NP Holly. Red berries. Evergreen. Jul-Aug Yellow N Bronze fruits. Deciduou s. Liriodendro n tulipifera Jun-Jul Green/orang e N Huge tulip shaped flowers. Large leaves. Deciduou

19 s. Ptelea trifoliata Jun-Jul Green N Pungently scented. Deciduou s. Robinia June White NP False Acacia. Semi Evergreen. Sorbus intermedia Jun White NP Rowan Tree. Red berries. Deciduou s. Tilia spp Jun-Aug Cream N Lime. Fragrant. Deciduou s.

20 Climbers Flowering Color N/P Notes Clematis species Clematis x jackmanii Jun-Oct Various P Large flowers Semievergreen and Jul- Oct Purple N Large abundant flowers. Evergreen. Cotoneaster Jun White NP Some varieties can be trained up walls. Evergreen and

21 Hydrangea petiolaris Parthenocissus quinquefolia Jun White NP Slow grower. Tolerate shade. Aug Green NP Virginia Creeper. Colorful autumnal leaves. Rampant grower.

22 Shrubs Flowering Color N/P Notes Abelia chinensis Jul-Aug White NP Fragrant. Abutilon May-Jul Various NP Large flowers. Evergreen or Berberis species Buddleia species Jun-Jul Various NP Many varieties. Evergreen and Jul-Sep Various NP Dozens to choose from. Butterflies attracted too. Deciduous or Semi Evergreen. Ceanothus May-Sep Blue NP Huge range. Evergreen. Cistus May-Jul Various NP Many varieties.

23 Evergreen. Cotoneaster Jun White/pink NP Evergreen and Huge variety. Deutzia Jun-Jul White/pink P Fragrant. Escallonia spp Jun-Sep White/pink NP Many varieties. Evergreen. Fuschias Jun-Aug Various NP Choose single flowers. Hebe Jun-Oct Blues N Many varieties. Evergreen and Helianthemum spp May-Sep Various P Evergreen. Sun Roses. Hydrangea paniculata + villosa Jul- Oct Pink, Blue, White N Do not choose Hortensia as they are sterile.

24 Kalmia spp Jun Pink NP Abundant flowers. Evergreen. Kolkwitzia amabilis May-Jun Pink & Yellow NP Bell shaped flowers. Lavandula May-Aug Blues White Pink NP Lavender. Very bee friendly. Evergreen. Lonicera species Myrtus communis Olearia species Perovskia atriplicifolia Jun-Sep Various NP Shrubby ones have more nectar than climbers. Evergreen or Jul-Oct White NP Myrtle. Fragrant. Evergreen. Jun-Aug Various NP Daisy bush. Abundant flowers. Evergreen. Aug-Sep Blues NP Aromatic. Popular with bees.

25 Philadelphus Jun-Jul White NP Mock Orange. Fragrant. Potentilla Jun-Nov White Yellow NP Free flowering. Prunus lusitanica Pyracantha spp Jun Cream NP Highly scented. Evergreen. May-Jun White NP Many species. Evergreen. Rosa Jul-Oct Various NP Shrub roses choose single flowered species only. Salvia officinalis Symphoricarp os spp May-Jul Blue NP Sage herb. Evergreen. Jun-Aug Pink/White NP Purple/white berries. Tamarix spp May-Sep Pink NP Many species. Ulex spp May-Sep Yellow P Gorse. Highly

26 attractive to bees. Evergreen. Viburnum spp Jun-Jul White/Pink NP Evergreen and Deciduous varieties Weigela May-Jun Pink/Red NP Abundant flowers.

27 Perennials Flowerin g Color N/ P Notes Campanul a Jul-Sep Blue/whit e NP Many species. Abundant flowers. Geum May-Sep Red NP Purple stems. Full sun preferred. Geranium May-Sep Various NP Hardy Geraniums Cranesbill NOT pelargoniums. Lavatera Aug-Sep Purple NP Mallow. Many species. Full

28 sun if possible. Nepeta Jun-Sep Purple NP Catmint. Abundant flowers. Highly attractive to bees. Papaver May-Oct Various P Poppy, many species. Salvia farinacea Jun-Nov Blue NP Many species.

29 Bulbs Flowering Color N/P Notes Allium aflatunense Allium schoenoprasum Jun-Jul Purple NP Flowering onion. Huge globe flowers. Jun-Aug Purple NP Chives herb. Globe like flowers. Annuals Flowering Color N/P Notes Cosmos Jul-Aug Various NP Keep dead heading to

30 prolong the flowering Eschscholzia spp Aug-Sep Various bright N California Poppy. Abundant flowers. Helianthus Jul-Aug Yellow NP Sunflower. Lavatera trimestris Jul-Oct Purple NP Annual Mallow. Abundant flowers. Papaver May-Oct Red N Poppies. Abundant short lived flowers. Viola cornuta Apr-Oct Violet N Dead head to prolong season.

31 FALL/AUTUMN Trees Flowering Color N/P Notes Eucryphia Aug-Sep White P Abundant flowers. Mainly Evergreen. Prunus subhirtella autumnalis Sophora japonica Tetradium daniellii Sep-Oct Pink P Winter Flowering Cherry. Sep Yellow NP Bell like flowers. Evergreen. Aug-Oct White NP Highly scented. Bees love it.

32 Climbers Flowering Color N/P Notes Hedera helix Sep-Oct Green NP Green variety not variegated. Evergreen. Shrubs Flowerin g Color N/ P Notes Clethra alnifolia Aug-Oct White P Fragrant flowers. Deciduous.

33 Hebe Jun-Oct Blues N Many varieties. Evergreen and Deciduous. Hydrange a paniculata Aug-Oct Blue/Pink White N Deciduous. NOT Hortensia as sterile. Potentilla Jun-Nov White/Yello w NP Free flowering. Deciduous. Perennials Flowering Color N/P Notes Anemone hupehensis Aug-Nov Pink P Japanese anemone. Abundant

34 flowers. Aster Aug-Oct Blue N Michaelmas Daisy. Kniphofia caulescens Salvia farinacea Sedum spectabile Sep-Oct Orange NP Red Hot Poker. Spikes of bright flowers. Jun-Nov Blue NP Many species. Sep-Nov Purple N Ice Plant. Truly good value plant. Annuals Flowering Color N/P Notes Viola cornuta Apr-Oct Violet N Dead head regularly.

35 WINTER Climbers Flowering Color N/P Notes Clematis cirrhosa Dec-Feb Yellow NP Evergreen. Second flower flush in spring. Shrubs Flowerin g Color N/ P Notes Mahonia Dec-May Yellow P Many species.

36 spp Evergreen. Prunus subhirtell a Nov-Mar White/Pin k P Winter Flowering Cherry. Viburnum spp Oct-Mar White/Pin k NP Evergreen and Man y varieties. Perennials Floweri ng Col or N/ P Not Hellebor us foetidus Nov-Feb Gree n & Purpl e NP Evergreen perennial. Good value plant. Hellebor Dec-Apr White NP Christmas Rose.

37 us niger Pulmona ria Salvia farinacea Long flowering. Jan-May Blue P Lungwort. Funnel shaped flowers. Jun-Nov Blue NP Many species. Bulbs Flowering Color N/P Notes Eranthis hyemalis Jan-Feb Yellow NP Winter Aconite. Abundant flowers.

38 Annuals Flowering Color N/P Notes Pansies Sep-May Various N Dead head regularly. Vegetables Sow Harvest Notes Asparagus April May-Jun Plant one year crowns and harvest when 3 years old. Broad Beans Mar- Apr Jun onwards Sow indoors for early crop. Cucumber May- Jul Sow indoors in Mar/Apr for early

39 Jun onwards crop. Marrow May- Jun Jul-Oct Sow indoor in April for early crop. Melon Apr- Jun October Sow indoors in Apr for early crop. Pumpkin May- Jun Jul-Oct Sow indoors in April for early crop. Runner Beans May- Jun Jul onwards Sow indoors in Mar/Apr for early crop. Squash May- Jun Jul-Oct Sow indoors in April for early crop. Zucchini (Courgette) May- Jun Jul-Oct Sow indoors in April for early crop.

40 Herbs Floweri ng Color N/ P Notes Allium schoenopra sum Anethum graveolens Borago officinalis May-Sep Purple NP Chives. Perennia l. Jun-Aug Yellow NP Dill. Annual May-Sep Blue NP Borage. Annual Hyssop officinalis Jun-Sep Blue/Pink/Whit e NP Hyssop. Semievergree n. Perennia l. Laurus nobilis Mar-May Yellow N Bay. Evergree

41 Lavandula Jun-Aug Purple NP Lavende r. Evergree n. n. Melissa officinalis Jun-Sep Cream N Lemon Balm. Perennia l. Origanum Jun-Aug Mauve N Marjora m. Perennia l. Mentha Jun-Aug Mauve N Mint. Perennia l. INVASIV E. Nepata cataria Jun-Sep Purple N Catmint. Perennia l.

42 Rosmarinus officinalis Salvia officinalis Feb-May Blue NP Rosemar y. Evergree n. May-Sep Blue N Sage. Evergree n. Thymus Jun-Aug Pink N Thyme. Evergree n. Tropaeolum majus Jul-Aug Red/Orange/Ye llow N Nasturtiu m. Annual.

43 Wild Flowers Choose native wild flowers where possible and if you have space, leave a little area for a wild flower meadow. Flowering Color N/ P Notes Arctium lappa Jul onwards Reddish Purple N Burdock Centaurea cyanus Jun-Aug Blue N Cornflower Centaurea spp. Jul-Aug Blue N Thistle Digitalis purpurea Jun-Sep Purple Pink White N Foxglove Dipsacus fulfonum Jul Blue N Teasels

44 Lamium album Mar-Dec Red White N White Dead Nettle Lotus corniculatus Onobrychis arenaria Jun-Sep Yellow NP Birds Foot Trefoil Jun-Sep Pink P Sainfoin Papaver rhoeas Jun-Jul Red P Poppy Primula veris Apr-May Yellow N Cowslip Silene dioica Apr-May Red NP Red Campion Taraxacum officinale. Trifolium pratense May-Aug Yellow N Dandelion May-Sep Pink NP Red Clover Vicia spp Jun onwards Various N Vetches Your choice and what you call them will depend on where you live.

45 Cane and Bush Fruit Most cane and bush fruit is attractive to bees and other pollinators. There is a wide variety and with a bit of time and trouble selecting varieties, you can be picking fruit from mid May (Loganberries ) through to the first frosts (Strawberries) You will have pounds of fruit to pick, eat raw, cook, make jams and freeze AND the bees will get food. Latin Fragaria Ribes nigrum Ribes rubrum Rubus loganobaccus Rubus fruticosus Rubus idaeus Notes Strawberries Blackcurrant Redcurrants Loganberries Blackberries Raspberries