Top 5 Plants for Bumblebees

While bee populations have been in steady decline for a number of years, many gardeners are now growing plants in their garden that are rich in pollen and nectar that attract all manner of pollinators. Pollinators are always on the lookout for food, and if they find the food they like in your garden, it’s safe to say they’ll be making it a regular stopping place.

Did you know that in the UK there are up to 24 species of bumblebee, and each play their own vital role in our ecosystem? They can usually be distinguished from other types like honeybees by their bigger, furrier bodies and can be seen feeding on flowers to take valuable nectar back to the hives.

But what makes a flower bee friendly? 

We’ve picked out a few key points to help when choosing your bee-friendly garden.

1. It's full of food...

If the flowers you're planting are full of nectar and pollen, you can be 99.9% sure the bees will come abuzzing.

1. It's full of food...

If the flowers you're planting are full of nectar and pollen, you can be 99.9% sure the bees will come abuzzing.

3. It's the right shape...

The shapes of flowers determine how accessible they are to bees, whether they’re single types or in some cases (like for long-tongued bees) they will seek out tubular-shaped flowers.

2. It's the right colour...

Bees see the colour blue and purple much better than any other, and they’re naturally attracted to them.

2. It's the right colour...

Bees see the colour blue and purple much better than any other, and they’re naturally attracted to them.

4. It's blooming at the right time...

While we’re used to seeing most bees in spring and summer, some of them rely on late winter and early spring blooms to replenish their stores.

3. It's the right shape...

The shapes of flowers determine how accessible they are to bees, whether they’re single types or in some cases (like for long-tongued bees) they will seek out tubular-shaped flowers.

5. It's chemical free...

Perhaps most important for creating a wildlife-friendly garden is not to treat flowers with pesticides that can be toxic to bees.

5. It's chemical free...

Perhaps most important for creating a wildlife-friendly garden is not to treat flowers with pesticides that can be toxic to bees.

4. It's blooming at the right time...

While we’re used to seeing most bees in spring and summer, some of them rely on late winter and early spring blooms to replenish their stores.

3. It's the right shape...

The shapes of flowers determine how accessible they are to bees, whether they’re single types or in some cases (like for long-tongued bees) they will seek out tubular-shaped flowers.

4. It's blooming at the right time...

While we’re used to seeing most bees in spring and summer, some of them rely on late winter and early spring blooms to replenish their stores.

Top 5 Flowers for Bees

Rosemary

Rosemary is a much-loved garden herb and flower, and while a fantastic plant for the kitchen garden is also an important source of early season nectar for bumbles and masons.

Borage

Its star-shaped blooms are easily accessible for short-tongued bees. Bright blue, nectar rich and able to replenish its resources within minutes of a bee coming to feast.

Lavender

A garden classic and much-loved among wildife, lavender is exceptionally fragrant, usually blue or purple, and the spikes of small flowers are just the right size for honeybees.

Scabious

It’s a workhorse of the summer garden, and provides a steady supply of nectar-rich flowers.

Foxgloves

The tubular shape of a foxglove allows for bees to crawl inside to reach the nectar.