Welcoming Bees to Our Gardens 

As the garden wakes up for summer, it’s the perfect time to think about our tiny, hardworking friends, the bees! 

Bees are vital for pollinating flowers, fruits, and vegetables, helping our gardens (and the world!) to thrive. 

This year, I’m adding a bee hotel to our garden; a cozy little space where solitary bees can rest and nest. 

It made me think about the flowers we can plant to make them feel truly at home. 

Here are some bee friendly plants that are easy to grow and absolutely adored by our buzzing visitors: 

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• Lavender – Beautiful, fragrant, and irresistible to bees. 

• Foxgloves – Tall, dramatic spires full of nectar. 

• Alliums – Big, bold, and buzzing with bee activity! 

• Flowering herbs (like thyme, mint, and rosemary) Let them bloom and watch the bees feast. 

• Salvia – Vibrant, colourful, and long-flowering. 

• Borage – A real “bee magnet” and lovely to scatter in beds. 

• Wildflowers – Poppies, daisies, cornflowers, let a little wildness into your garden. 

• Hellebores – Perfect for early season bees when food is scarce. 

• Honeysuckle – A sweet smelling climber that bees adore. 

• Simple single flowers – Open shapes are easier for bees to access than very frilly, double blooms. 

Top Tip: 

Plant a variety that flowers across different seasons, so bees always have a meal waiting for them, from early spring to late autumn. 

A little water station (a shallow dish with pebbles) will help tired bees refresh too! 

By planting a few thoughtful blooms and adding a safe place to nest, we can all do our bit to support the bees and in return, they’ll help our gardens flourish (and yes - it seems like it's not just the bees we look after in our garden). 

Here’s to a garden full of flowers, memories, and the gentle hum of happy bees!