Gardening for bumblebees
Wildflowers have disappeared from the
countryside because we've lost many traditional habitats like hedgerows, hay meadows
and chalk grassland (learn more). The use of chemicals in farmland has
also drastically reduced wildflower numbers.
As a result, many bumblebees species have declined dramatically, with two species already nationally extinct and several others in serious trouble. Wildlife gardens have become a stronghold for some bumblebee species. Wherever you live in the UK you should be able to attract at least six types to your garden, and perhaps as many at ten.
Bumblebees need flowers throughout the spring and summer (March-Sept), and these need to be the right kinds of flowers. Exotic or highly cultivated garden flowers aren't very good as they either produce no pollen and nectar, or keep it hidden away from the bees. Most annual bedding plants (for example Pelargoniums, Begonias and Busy Lizzies) have no nectar in the flowers for bees or other wildlife - you might as well plant plastic flowers in your garden.
Instead, why not try growing traditional cottage garden flowers and native wildflowers? Many of these look fantastic in the garden. They are easy to grow, hardy and resistant to slugs and disease! Bumblebee species come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to grow a range of things to suit all tastes...
Viper's bugloss (pictured above-right) is perhaps the very best plant to attract bumblebees. Almost all bumblebee species love it, and it looks great too! It flowers from June-August. It is a biennial plant, so you will need to collect and sow a few seeds each year to ensure you always have some flowering.
Below you'll find a selection of both garden and wild flowers that will bloom throughout the year. They are all types that bumblebees love. If you have room for even one or two of these they will attract many bees. Most of these plants will also attract a range of other interesting insects to the garden, including butterflies and honeybees.
Why not download a simple factsheet to print out and pass on to family and friends?
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Want to know more?
Why not order a copy of the BBCT book 'Gardening for Bumblebees'? Packed with all of the information you need to turn your garden into a haven for bumblebees. Yours for a suggested donation of £2.50 plus 50 pence for postage and packing.
Written by BBCT Trustee and bumblebee expert Prof. Dave Goulson, this little book is guaranteed to get your garden buzzing! If you'd like a copy of this book but don't want to join BBCT then click the link below.
