BEE HERBSCAPE

The pedigree of honey does not concern the bee;
A clover, any time, to him is aristocracy.
Emily Dickinson

 

Bees are especially drawn to the fragrances and flowers of an herb garden and ensure better pollination so your plants will grow stronger, fuller and healthier.  Plant a bee herbscape where the bees will visit – an out of the way sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind is perfect and can even be fenced if you want to escape getting stung.  Herbs provide pollen, nectar, shelter and more for bees and other pollinators, but remember not to use pesticides which kill off beneficial insects along with other pests.  Planting in groups provides a range of flower sizes for all bee species and diversity of flowering herbs provide for seasonal succession blooming – bees have good color vision and are especially attracted to yellow, purple, red and blue blossoms.

 

Here is a list of favorite bee herbs, but remember that curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), feverfew and Artemisias repel bees and need to be kept away from your bee herbscape:

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Bee balm (Monarda spp.)
Borage (Borago officinalis)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Catmint (Nepeta racemosa)
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Chive (Allium schoenoprasum)

Red Clover (Trifolium pretense)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)

Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantine)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

 

 

 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world and all who live in it”
Psalm 24:1