Did you know over a third of Australia’s food production relies on our tiny friend the bee? And up to 75% of foods get some benefits from a bee visit? Bee population levels are declining across the world due to monocropping, overuse of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, and deforestation and its not long before we might have to say goodbye to some of our favourite fruits!

 

You should definitely read on if you are a fan of any of the below as all of these plants require some help from bees to produce:

 

• Alfalfa

• Almonds

• Apples

• Asparagus

• Beans

• Beets

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Brussels sprouts

• Buckwheat

• Cabbage

• Cantaloupe

• Cauliflower

• Celery

• Cherries

• Chestnuts

• Chives

• Clover

• Cranberries

• Cucumber

• Currants

• Eggplant

• Flax

• Garlic

• Gooseberries

• Grapes

• Horseradish

• Kale

• Lettuce

• Mustard

• Onions

• Parsley

• Peaches

• Pears

• Plums

• Pumpkins

• Radishes

• Raspberries

• Rhubarb

• Squash

• Strawberries

• Sunflowers

• Sweet potatoes

• Turnip

• Watermelon

In spite of the fact that many of the fruit-producing plants we farm today are hybrids that do not produce viable seeds, the pollination of the flower remains a determining step required for them to be able to generate fruits.

 

No Pollination = No Crop

When it comes to plant pollination, gathering pollen from one flower and depositing it in another is really the only way. And who does the best job at this? You guessed it, bees! As we know, bees are critical to the pollination of flowers, and their existence in our food chain is essential to our survival. Without bees, there would be no pollination of plants in our backyards. So how do we attract more bees into our garden to help out the South Australian bee population? The solution is straightforward: flowers, and plenty of them. In particular, bees love blue and yellow flowers. We have created a list of 7 bee-friendly plants so you can start attracting bees into your garden! 

 

Bottlebrush

The bottlebrush’s brilliant red blossoms attract a broad variety of native bees and nectar-feeding birds. Bottlebrushes make for wonderful ground coverings, screening shrubs and street trees.

 

Daisies

The nectar and pollen of daisies are easily accessible and loved by all native bee species. These tiny, low-growing shrubs have long-lasting flowering periods and will fit into even the smallest of gardens. Both native species as well as exotic variants of this flower will be well liked by native bees.

 

Lavender

This purple, nice smelling plant might be the perfect addition you need to start attracting bees into your garden. The Lavender’s purple flower spikes are very appealing to Blue Banded Bees in particular. They are high nectar-producing plants that remain flowering for a long period of time which means bees can keep coming back to your garden for longer.

 

Eucalyptus

The Eucalyptus tree family has more than 700 distinct species, the majority of which are native to Australia. When fully grown, Eucalyptus trees can vary in size from tiny shrubs to massive forest giants.  Most importantly, bees love visiting these flowers and the honey produced from this flower is often regarded as the most delicious.

 

Tea Tree

The cup-shaped blossoms of tea trees attract native bees, as well as a variety of other natural pollinators. Tea trees have a papery, layered bark that ranges in size from tiny trees to low-lying bushes, depending on the species.

 

Goldenrod

With Goldenrod’s numerous benefits along with its simpleness to grow, you may quickly decide that you want to incorporate it into your garden. Bees and butterflies are highly attracted to this bright yellow flower. The Goldenrod flower will also produce plenty of nectar, thus encouraging them to stay and pollinate your crops.

 

Flax Lily

Flax lilies, which may be found in grassland and dry forests, often bloom in the spring. They are popularly referred to as grass plants because of the broad, blue-green leaves they have. Blue flax lilies are among the most common species in Australia and are able to flourish in drastically varying environments because of their adaptability. It is a perennial that blooms throughout the spring and summer months. This plant is sought after for its long lifetime and capacity to withstand harsh drought and winter conditions.

 

So there you have it, 7 bee-friendly plants you can introduce into your garden that will almost guarantee bees to show up! Hopefully, this post has inspired you to increase your efforts to grow ‘bee attractive plants’ this year. Good luck!

Jeffries is a local family owned business that is dedicated to maintaining soil health across South Australia. If you’re in need of high-quality compost, soil, and mulch for your garden, you can shop online with us or give us a call to talk through your options.