Planting for the Bees

A Natural Beekeepers Guide

Understanding Our Impact

In Australia, we’re facing a unique challenge. As one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with 90% of our population expected to live in cities by 2050, our gardens have become more than just beautiful spaces – they’re crucial sanctuaries for bees. What many don’t realize is that a thoughtfully planned garden can actually support pollinators better than natural bushland. While this might seem counterintuitive, it’s because we can create environments that provide food and habitat throughout the year, rather than just during natural flowering seasons.

Bee Foraging Basics

To create an effective bee garden, we need to understand how bees interact with our plantings. Bees are fascinating creatures with specific needs and behaviors that influence how they use our gardens. Here’s what we know about how bees forage:

• Bees require both nectar (for energy) and pollen (for protein)
• Many native bees only fly within a 500-meter range of their nests
• During each foraging trip, bees show remarkable flower fidelity – staying loyal to one species
• Different bee species prefer different flower shapes based on their tongue length
• Colors matter – bees are particularly attracted to blue, violet, purple, yellow, and white flowers

Core Planting Principles

Cluster Planting

One of the most important things we can do for bees is to plant in clusters. Think about how bees forage – they’re looking for efficiency. A single flower here and there makes their work much harder. Instead:

• Create flower patches at least 1 meter across
• Make foraging more efficient by grouping similar flowers
• Include varying plant heights to provide different niches
• Think about planting in drifts or waves of the same species

Year-Round Flowering

In nature, most plants in an area flower at the same time. In our gardens, we can do better. By thoughtfully selecting plants, we can provide food sources throughout the year. This is especially important because:

• Bees need food in every season they’re active
• August – December in Australia is a critical colony building time
• Different species are active at different times
• Early spring and late autumn can be challenging times for bees

Plant Selection

When choosing plants for your bee garden, it’s not just about picking pretty flowers. We need to think about the quality of food we’re providing:

• Heirloom varieties typically offer more nectar and pollen than hybrids
• Organic seeds and seedlings ensure we’re not introducing harmful chemicals
• Simple, open flowers are easier for bees to access
• A mix of native and exotic species provides diverse nutrition

Essential Plant Categories

Let me walk you through the four main categories of plants you should consider for your bee garden. Each plays a unique role in supporting pollinator health.

Ground Covers

Ground covers are the foundation of a bee-friendly garden. They provide easily accessible forage and create a carpet of food when in bloom. Some excellent choices include:

• • Brachyscome multifida (Cut-Leaf Daisy) – flowers almost year-round
  • Hardenbergia violacea – early spring food source
  • Scaevola humilis (Fan Flower) – attracts native bees

• Native daisies – perfect for small spaces
• Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’ – long flowering period

Shrubs

The middle layer of your garden is crucial for creating a rich foraging environment. These plants provide substantial nectar and pollen resources:

• Callistemon species (Bottlebrush) – bird and bee friendly
• Westringia species – flowers for most of the year
• Melaleuca species – excellent nectar producers
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) – beloved by bees
• Abelia x grandiflora – long flowering period

Trees

If you have the space, trees are powerhouse nectar producers that can support entire colonies:

• Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) – produces premium honey
• Banksia species – flower in winter when food is scarce
• Acacia species – excellent early pollen source
• Callistemon ‘Harkness’ – flowers twice yearly
• Leptospermum species (Tea Tree/Manuka) – supports native bees

Herbs (The Bee’s Medicine Chest)

Don’t underestimate the power of herbs! These plants aren’t just for our kitchen – they’re essential food sources for bees and many have medicinal properties that benefit bee health:

• Basil – let it flower in late summer
• Bee Balm – as the name suggests, bees love it
• Calendula – flowers almost year-round
• Lavender – excellent for all pollinators
• Oregano – very attractive to bees
• Rosemary – flowers in winter
• Sage – long flowering period
• Thyme – compact but powerful nectar producer

Creating Complete Habitats

A bee-friendly garden isn’t just about flowers. Think of it as creating a complete habitat that supports all aspects of bee life. Two often-overlooked elements are water sources and nesting sites.

Water Sources

Just like us, bees need water to survive. But providing water for bees requires some thought – we can’t just put out a deep bowl and hope for the best. Bees can easily drown in deep water, so we need to create safe drinking spots:

• Set up shallow water features with landing spots
• Add stones or floating cork to deep birdbaths
• Keep water fresh and clean – change it regularly
• Place water sources in sheltered locations away from strong winds
• Consider multiple small water sources throughout your garden

Nesting Support

Different bee species have different nesting needs. While honeybees live in hives, many of our native bees are solitary and need very different accommodation. Creating a bee-friendly garden means supporting these diverse nesting requirements:

• Leave some areas of bare, undisturbed soil for ground-nesting bees
• Keep dead wood and hollow stems in quiet corners
• Create diverse garden structure with varying heights and densities
• Consider installing bee hotels for solitary bees
• Avoid disturbing nesting sites once you identify them

Sustainable Management

Managing a bee-friendly garden means thinking differently about how we care for our plants. It’s not just about what we plant, but how we maintain our gardens that makes a difference to bee health.

Chemical-Free Practices

One of the biggest threats to bees is the use of pesticides in gardens. Even products labeled as “bee-safe” can cause problems if used incorrectly. Here’s how to manage your garden without harming bees:

• Avoid all pesticides whenever possible
• If you must use chemicals, apply them only at night when bees aren’t active
• Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and praying mantises
• Use organic gardening methods like companion planting
• Accept that some insect damage is natural and even beneficial

Maintenance Tips

Sometimes what we don’t do is as important as what we do. Many common garden practices can actually reduce your garden’s value to bees:

• Allow herbs and vegetables to flower – this is when they feed bees
• Don’t remove all “weeds” – dandelions and clover are excellent bee food
• Leave some areas unmulched to provide nesting sites
• Maintain diversity in your plantings – don’t remove all of one species
• Practice selective deadheading – leave some seed heads for winter interest and food

Getting Started

Starting a bee-friendly garden might seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do everything at once. Here’s a step-by-step approach to creating your pollinator paradise:

1. Assess Your Space
   • Look at sun and shade patterns
   • Identify existing bee-friendly plants
   • Consider water sources and nesting opportunities
2. Plan Your Plantings
   • Start with 3-4 different plants that flower in each season
   • Include at least one tree or large shrub if space allows
   • Plan for clusters rather than single plants
3. Begin with Easy Plants
   • Start with hardy natives suited to your area
   • Add basic herbs that are easy to grow
   • Choose plants with long flowering periods
4. Add Water Sources
   • Create simple water features with safe drinking spots
   • Position them where you can easily maintain them
   • Ensure year-round water availability
5. Create Nesting Opportunities
   • Leave some bare soil areas
   • Add bee hotels or nesting blocks
   • Maintain undisturbed areas
6. Monitor and Adapt
   • Watch which plants attract the most bees
   • Notice when there are gaps in flowering
   • Add plants to fill seasonal gaps
   • Keep records of what works in your garden

Remember, every garden, no matter how small, can help support our precious pollinators. Start with what you can manage and gradually expand your bee-friendly space as you learn and grow. The most important thing is to begin – even a few flowering herbs in pots can make a difference to your local bee population.

Through thoughtful planting and maintenance, your garden can become part of a network of bee-friendly spaces that help support both native bees and honeybees throughout our increasingly urbanized landscape.

For an in depth planting guide for European honeybees and Australian native pollinators, check out Agrifutures’ Bee Friendly Planting Guide.