Bee and Insect Project

With the bee population still declining, it is so important now more than ever to plant flowers that will encourage them to feed on the nectar and collect the pollen which is used to turn into honey to feed the young bee larvae. 

Interestingly, the larvae that are chosen to become future 'queen bees' are fed with 'royal jelly' which is honey produced by young female worker bees and incorporates not only the pollen but also chemical secretions from their glands!

So what can you do to encourage bees to visit?

Plant a Plant!

These are our top three plants for attracting bees to the garden:

Salvia
Bees can see the colour purple more vividly than any other colour and this will attract them in their numbers. Easy to grow, hardy and colourful. Perfect for a garden border and containers.

Alstromeria
Despite their exotic appearance, they are hardy down to -12 degrees centigrade! A surprisingly easy plant to look after which flowers from spring throughout summer. One of the few plants that has nectar guides (the markings on the flower) that are also visible to the human eye as well as the bee (bees see colours on the UV spectrum, interestingly it is this same spectrum it is considered that the Impressionist artist Claude Monet could also see).

Digitalis - The Foxglove
A classic flower for the cottage or wildflower garden. A particular favourite for the long-tongued bumblebee, its large flowerhead and 'landing strip pattern' on the inside of the flower is designed to draw the attention of a passing bee and guide it to the nectar within. Despite its beauty, it is poisonous to humans or pets.

Get Children Involved!

Not only can children help plant bee-attracting flowers, they can easily build their own little bee house with just a few canes tied together and placed in a sheltered, secure spot.

We also sell houses perfectly suited to butterflies, lacewings and ladybirds.

Young minds will watch in awe as insects fill these houses and create their own outdoor home.