Planting for Bees

In the UK we have roughly 25 native species of bees which may seem like a lot but unfortunately three of these species are already extinct, two are critically endangered and many more are declining in numbers.

Colony collapse threatens bees everywhere, as gardeners we can do our part to look after and encourage bees to our garden. Below is a small but by no means comprehensive list of plants that you can provide for the bees.

Fruits and Vegetables 
Blackberries, cantaloupe, cucumber, gourds, fruit trees, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, watermelons, wild garlic. 

Herbs 
Bee balm, borage, catnip, cilantro, fennel, lavender, mints, rosemary, sage, thyme.       

Trees 
Alder, amer, holly, basswood, black gum, black locust, buckeyes, catalpa, east redbud, hawthorns, hazels, linden, magnolia, maples, mountain ash, polar, sycamore, willows.

Annuals 
Asters, callipsis, clover, marigolds, poppies, sunflowers, zinnias.

Perennials  
Buttercups, clematis, cosmos, crocuses, dahlias, echinacea, English ivy, foxglove, geraniums, globe thistle. hollyhocks, hyacinth, rock cress, roses, sedum, snowdrops, squills, yellow hyssop. 

Shrubs 
Blueberry, butterfly bush, honeysuckle, indigo, privet.