BEES!

Its hard to underestimate the value of European Honeybees and Native Bees as pollinators
in our gardens, fields, orchards and wild areas. Above is a Bumblebee gathering pollen from
a Lavender flower.
I get a lot of comments from client's about bees- either friendly or fearful. Everything from-
"I don't want any of those bee plants in my garden" or "I'm afraid or bees" (or their children) or
"I don't want to attract insects"or "I am allergic to bees so don't want to attract them"
to the opposite-
"I want to locate a bee hive in the garden. Where should we put it" or "what plants can we use to
help the bees" or "I don't see any bees anymore"

Here are a few answers and comments on having bees in the garden. First and most importantly, I try to encourage folk to not be afraid of bees. Unlike wasps- bees are normally very docile, and non
threatening. They are totally focused on their task of gathering pollen and returning to the hive.
Being stung usually happens when a bee is accidentally touched and feels threatened or a hive is
disturbed, even then bees don't always sting. I have spent many thousands of hours working in the gardens- pruning, weeding, planting and maintaining areas with bees all around and within a few inches of my face! I actually haven't ever been stung doing these things. My only stings were at a park where I was walking in sandals and scared a bee at a clover flower, when the wind blew a bee
into the car and it hit my arm and when I turned on a hose tap without looking and grabbed a bee.
None of these things were aggressive acts on the part of the bee just fear of getting squished.
Anyway, enough of that- you get the idea and I must also say that I have really enjoyed watching the
bees in the garden as they gather pollen- I even had entire school groups out in the school garden watching the bees gathering pollen from California Poppies. What a blast for the kids and I to have that time together with the bees!

Plants that especially draw bees are varied and many, but some of the best are herbs such as
Lavender (as seen above), Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme. You get the added benefit of having
the herbs to use and the fragrance of them. Planting an herb border along the edge of an orchard is
an excellent two fold benefit.  Obviously, flowering plants are the key to having bees come into
the garden and these can be part of the landscape or especially planted for pollinators.  If you want
to avoid bees the opposite is needed- plants that are non-blooming or have inconspicuous flowers.

Locating hives in gardens requires a bit of space but is totally doable even in an average sized garden
(approx. 30'x60'). I would locate the hive in an area that is away from doors and gates, not totally
shaded and the garden should have some flowering plants and trees. The bees will fly out into the
neighborhood, of course, but its great to have pollen close to the home hive!
Avoid use of pesticide sprays in the area and be aware of bringing plants treated with neonaticides into the garden (ask nursery person or see labels for this).

I feel a great affinity for bees as I to love flowers and are drawn to them, am industrious, loyal,
have a clear life goal and crave sweet things! Helping folks with their gardens and adding
flowering plants gives the customers joy and color plus gives the bees a source of pollen to sustain them.
The trend to use plantings in place of lawn has really enriched the ecosystem for bees, butterflies,
birds and other insects- and people too!

Here are a few other resources I found that have helpful information:

There are also some Facebook groups dedicated to bees. I have the Native Bees of North America page and it is super fun.
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