Consider some specific plants for a ‘bee-friendly’ garden
Q Can you suggest possible reasons for the lack of bees in our garden this year? In previous years, the dozens of bees working over large sage plants have been a big family attraction as we would gather around to enjoy watching them. This year, we have seen only the occasional bee.
A: The decrease in numbers of bees generally has been the subject of much concern in recent years. Dramatic reductions in their numbers can be traced to a combination of several factors that include the loss of nearby habitat to shelter and feed bees, pesticide use and parasites. Malnutrition in bees as a result of monoculture crops in areas near agricultural lands and even changing weather patterns can contribute to a decline in the number of bees.
We are all encouraged these days to plant bee-friendly gardens, with a broad diversity of flowers rich in pollen and nectar. Some even act as medicine for bees. Cilantro, for example, contains an essential oil that helps to repel mites that infest bees. Other good bee plants are crocus, heathers, rosemary, lavender, thyme, dill, and kale flowers.
An absorbing and highly useful book titled Victory Gardens for Bees (Douglas & McIntyre, April 2016) is designed to help us help the bees. The book provides lists of the best bee plants, by plant category, and even offers “bee garden” plans.
Another way to help boost bee populations is to support local organic growers who nurture bee habitat on their farms. At my local farmers’ market, I was interested to see jars of honey appear on the table of one of my favourite growers. I’d long admired the quality of the produce from that farm, and I found the honey to be absolutely exquisite. She grows rows of cilantro for the bees. Cilantro also attracts and feeds other beneficial insects, such as hover flies, whose larvae eat aphids.