| What flowers or other plants could I plant to attract bees? I've been pollinating my plants by hand this year and would like to attract bees to my garden next year. |
| To attract, and keep bees around, try to have something blooming at all times, and avoid using pesticides on your plants. Here are some known favorites of bees: Medico Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) Alfalfa produces a large amount of nectar, which is highly attractive to many species of bees, and from which honey bees produce excellent crops of high quality honey. Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense ) PURPLE HORSE MINT ( MONARDA CITRIODORA ) A hardy annual with deep purple to lavender blooms. Flowers are arranged in whorls stair- stepping up a single stem. Attracts bees and hummingbirds. MOSQUITO PLANT ( AGASTACHE CANA ) This hardy perennial will provide you with sweetly scented foliage and large 1" rosy- purple flowers. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The crushed foliage rubbed on the skin is said to repel mosquitoes. PURPLE HEADED GOMPHRENA Easy to grow plants that tolerate almost all types of weather. Beautiful ball shaped plants that bear large heads of purple flowers all season. A favorite of bees and butterflies. BORAGE ( BORAGE OFFICINALIS ) LEMON MINT ( MONARDA CITRIODORA ) BALM, LEMON ( MELISSA OFFICINALIS ) This is just a small list - bees love clover, and many other plants. |
