Don’t bug the bees

Watching butterflies floating from flower to flower, hearing birds trill their tunes and listening to the bees’ droning buzz fill your garden is no doubt beautifully peaceful. Particularly with the recent endangerment of our little honey-makers, it can be satisfying and rewarding as well to see them in your own patch of the world.

You can help local pollinators to do what they do best, by turning your boutdoor area into a haven, with many different flowers, trees and shrubs at your fingertips. There are many different types of flora you can plant to give our winged friends a leg up.

BOTTLEBRUSH

This hardy Australian icon produces plenty of nectar in spring and is an all-round favourite for insects and birds, thanks to its ability to provide not only food, but also shelter to a large variety of animal life. Their nectar attracts honeyeaters and bees, and their seeds attract a multitude of birds, including rainbow lorikeets.

DAISIES

Most members of the daisy family are fantastic for pollinators, from chamomile and calendula (which will also deter nasty pests) to chrysanthemums, gerberas and sunflowers. Specifically, the certain plants that actually produce ‘composite flowers’ are full to the brim with nectar and pollen.

With sunflowers, you can also attract seed-eating birds once the flowers have dried on the plant.

MARJORAM

This perennial shrub attracts many insects with its nectar-rich blooms. Technically a herb, you can use the fragrant leaves as a relative of oregano in your cooking as well.

LAVENDER

Lavender flowers provide necessary nutrients to many beneficial insects, attracted by the vibrant colour and sweet perfume.

Always a favourite of the blue-banded bee and a multitude of butterflies, lavender is a great addition.