Do Honey Bees Prefer Wild Flowers?

Growing Strategies

• Honey bees hibernate in the winter and require pollen all throughout the spring, summer and fall. Plant a variety of native plants that blossom in each of the three seasons to encourage bees to stay in your area long term. Certain flowering weeds, such as dandelions and wild garlic, will also attract bees. It is best to leave these weeds alone if possible

Nectar Producing Flowers

• Wild flowers such as clover and buttercups commonly grow and propagate on their own. Adding common garden flowers such as roses, geraniums, marigolds and hyacinths will attract bees while adding fragrance and beauty to your yard.

Herbs

• Gardeners often pinch flowers from herbs to prevent them from going to seed, but the flowers of certain herbs attract honeybees. These include bee balm, catnip, cilantro, mint, lavender, sage and rosemary.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Growing fruits and vegetables year-round can attract honey bees while providing you and your family with inexpensive produce. Strawberries, cucumbers, blueberries, raspberries, peppers, watermelons, pumpkin, squash and fruit trees all attract honey bees. Plant varieties native to your region to produce food and attract honey bees throughout the growing season.

Pest Control

• Insecticides may be responsible for the declining population of bees, and should never be used in gardens meant to attract honeybees. If insect pests become problematic in your garden, introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs and praying mantises to eat harmful insects without bothering the bees. Use hand-weeding as an alternative to chemical herbicides.

Other Considerations

• Bees need fresh water to drink and a clear, sandy spot to burrow and build nests. If you don't have a pond or natural water source nearby, install a bird bath or fountain in your yard.