Bee-Friendly Plants

The range runs from crocuses and squill in late winter through anemones to alliums in early summer, giving you a bee pasture that flowers for many weeks. Most bulbs are planted in autumn from September to November; in colder areas, poppy anemones go in during spring.

Bee-friendly plants: food for bees all year round

From late winter into autumn, bees need an uninterrupted supply of flowers. Single flowers are especially valuable, as their stamens and nectar are easy to reach. Heavily double varieties, on the other hand, offer insects hardly any food. Flower bulbs are ideal for closing the gap early in the year, before perennials and shrubs come into flower.

Late winter: crocuses and squill

The first warm days in February and March tempt bumblebee queens and honeybees out of their winter quarters. At this time crocuses are one of the most important sources of pollen. The woodland crocus 'Ruby Giant' naturalises in lawns, while the large-flowered 'Jeanne d'Arc' is pure white. Also early are squill (Scilla) such as 'Blue Arrow', whose blue pollen is easy to spot.

Spring: anemones and iris

In April and May, anemones open their cup-shaped flowers with a dark ring of stamens. Poppy anemones such as 'Mistral Edge' or 'Mistral Rosa Chiaro' are popular with bees. Dutch iris such as 'Discovery' are particularly attractive to bumblebees.

Early summer and summer: alliums, gladioli and lilies

From May to July, ornamental onions (Allium) are among the best plants for bees. Each globe is made up of hundreds of tiny individual flowers. Large globes are formed by 'Goliath' and the white 'Mount Everest'; in July the round-headed leek 'Sphaerocephalon' follows, which also attracts butterflies. The hardy Gladiolus byzantinus and the Turk's cap lily complete the planting in June and July.

Planting and position

• Planting time: crocuses, squill, alliums, iris and Gladiolus byzantinus from September to November. Poppy anemones in autumn in mild areas, and in March and April at higher altitudes.
• Position: sun to partial shade and sheltered from wind, as bees prefer warm spots.
• Groups: plant several dozen bulbs of the same kind together. Bees find larger patches more easily.
• No pesticides: avoid insecticides and let the foliage die back after flowering.

Add perennials such as salvia, speedwell or sedum to the bulbs, and your bee pasture will last into autumn.

What makes a good plant for bees

Not every flower is equally useful to every bee. Honeybees forage on many plant species, whereas many wild bees specialise in particular plant families. A varied bee pasture with different flower shapes, colours and flowering times therefore helps more species than one large uniform patch. Also leave a few open, sunny patches of bare soil, as many wild bees nest in the ground. A shallow dish of water with stones serves as a drinking spot.