How to Plant a Honeybee Garden

Plant early pollen-producing plant varieties so the honeybee can gather adequate food after a long winter. Choose plants, such as the witch hazel shrub, willows and Acer maples.

Allow clover and dandelions to grow within the grass. Both produce blossoms that attract and support honeybees with ample nectar and pollen. Refrain from regularly mowing so the plants produce flowers.

Limit the area of the yard planted in grass. Choose to plant a wide variety of fragrant flowering plants instead of turf, which does not attract honeybees. Honeybees also find flowering plants with bright blossoms attractive; especially plants that produce red, purple, blue, orange and yellow blooms.

Mass various plants together to provide the honeybee with various flower choices. Plant roses, foxgloves, geraniums, hollyhocks, honeysuckle, privet or lavender together to attract honeybees.

Install a pond in the yard to provide honeybees with fresh water. Honeybees require a daily source of fresh water to maintain the hive. Place floating plants, such as Azolla or Frogbit, so the honeybees have a place to land while drinking.

Locate tree varieties that provide nectar and pollen around the landscape. The American basswood, Golden rain tree, Linden and Black gum attract honeybees.

Plant a garden that sustains a good food source for both honeybees and humans. Raspberries, cucumbers, watermelons, pumpkins and peppers provide nectar and pollen.