The success of any garden relies heavily on the work of pollinators, particularly bees. Native bee species, distinct from managed honeybees, are often the most effective pollinators for local ecosystems, making their presence a direct measure of a garden’s health and productivity. Cultivating a bee-friendly garden involves a three-pronged approach: providing consistent food sources, establishing secure nesting sites, and eliminating harmful chemical hazards.
Planting Strategies for Consistent Foraging
A successful bee garden must function as a continuous buffet, offering pollen and nectar from early spring until the first hard frost in autumn. This consistency is achieved through successional planting, where a variety of species are chosen to ensure that at least three to five different plants are in bloom at any given time of the year. Providing this uninterrupted food supply is especially important for native bees, which may only be active for a few weeks and need immediate resources upon emergence.
The nutritional value and accessibility of flowers are determined by their structure. Bees are most efficient foraging on simple, open flowers, such as those with a single layer of petals, rather than complex double-petaled hybrids where nectar and pollen are concealed. To maximize efficiency, plants should be grouped in dense patches of at least three square feet, allowing bees to collect resources without unnecessary travel. Bees also demonstrate a strong visual preference for flowers in the blue, purple, and yellow color spectrum.
The incorporation of native plants is the single greatest planting strategy, as they co-evolved with local bee species. These plants are perfectly adapted to the regional climate and soil, and their pollen and nectar content is often nutritionally superior compared to non-native or ornamental varieties. For instance, certain native species, like goldenrod or asters, provide a late-season food source when other blooms are scarce, supporting bees as they prepare for winter.
Creating Safe Nesting and Shelter Sites
Bees require safe places to nest and raise their young. Approximately 70% of North America’s native bees are ground-nesters, making their homes in underground burrows. To accommodate these species, designate small, sunny patches of the garden with bare, undisturbed soil, ideally with a loamy or sandy composition that allows for easy digging. These areas should remain free of landscape fabric and dense mulch, which prevent access to the soil surface.
The remaining 30% of native bees are cavity-nesters, utilizing existing tunnels in wood or hollow plant stems. Gardeners can support these bees by constructing “bee hotels” or nesting blocks drilled with a variety of hole diameters, generally ranging from 3/32 to 3/8 inches. These structures should be mounted horizontally, facing south or southeast to capture morning sun, and placed under a slight overhang to protect the tunnels from rain. Leaving standing, dead stems of pithy plants like elderberry or raspberry in the garden over winter also provides natural nesting material for species that chew out their own homes.
Beyond nesting, bees require access to water for hydration and for mixing with soil to build their brood cells. A simple, shallow water source can be provided by placing pebbles, small stones, or corks in a bird bath or a shallow dish. These landing spots allow the bees to drink safely, preventing the risk of drowning.
Eliminating Hazards in the Garden
The effort to attract bees can be undermined by the presence of common garden chemicals, which pose a severe threat to their health and survival. Systemic pesticides, including neonicotinoids, are absorbed by the plant and are expressed in the pollen and nectar, poisoning foraging bees. These chemicals should be avoided entirely, as their toxicity can persist for weeks or even months. When pest control is necessary, select products with a low toxicity rating and a short residual time.
The timing of any necessary application is a crucial factor in minimizing bee exposure. Because most bees are active during the day, any treatments should be applied late in the evening, typically between sunset and midnight. This timing allows the product to dry or partially degrade overnight before bees begin their foraging activity the following morning. Furthermore, applications should be strictly targeted as spot treatments to only the affected plants rather than broadcast across the entire garden.
Gardeners should reconsider the classification of certain flowering plants as weeds. Species like clover and dandelions are valuable, early-season food sources for bees. Instead of using herbicides, manage them through non-chemical methods. If the removal of flowering weeds is necessary before a localized application, they should be mowed to remove the blooms and prevent direct bee contact with the treated foliage.