Blooming in spring can be a real boon to bumblebees. Plants such as Asters, Cosmos bipinnatus, Bombus pascuorum, and Grape Hyacinth are great choices. These flowers attract bumblebees and are very easy to care for. The Pussy Willow tree will also provide nectar for the queen bumblebee, which is important during the pollen-scarce months of winter.
Asters
Asters are perennials with a plethora of flower colors, and the pollination by bumblebees is a joy. A classic variety is Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, while dusty blue varieties like Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’ are popular with bees. They’re both good choices for any garden.
Asters are native to the United States, and the blue variety attracts all types of bees, including honeybees. Other bee-friendly plants include red and white clover, which are great for lawns. And asters are perennials, you can plant several varieties of these to ensure a steady stream of flowers for the bees. However, if you’re unsure of which ones to grow, be sure to check out a local nursery.
These plants are the most popular choice for bee habitats, as they have blooms in mid-to-late spring and are easy to grow. Bees will feed on both nectar and pollen in the center of these plants. Some bee species emerge early and will require more space to visit and pollinate. Bees can also feed on the nectar in the flower if they can reach it from the sandhills.
The abundance of nectar and pollen in Asters makes them one of the top 10 flowers for bumblebeas. Bees need this to reproduce and survive. Over 75 percent of plants are pollinated by insects and other animals. Without pollination, plants will not produce flowers and food. These flowers are therefore vital to the survival of the bee population. But you must remember that pollination is important for the survival of all animals and plants.
Regardless of their color preferences, bees prefer plants with large, flat umbels. A wide, flat umbel, such as a sunflower, is a favorite of bees. In addition to asters, lilies, goldenrod, and most members of the mint family will attract many species of bees. These flowers are also good choices for attracting honey bees.
Cosmos bipinnatus
This plant is widely referred to as cosmea, garden cosmos, or Mexican aster, and is among the easiest and most economical of all flowers to grow. It’s also quite easy to take care of, and is highly pollinator-friendly. The flowers’ nectar and pollen supply is high, so this is the perfect plant for attracting bumblebees to your garden.
One of the best flowers for bees is the prairie spiderwort, which blooms in late spring or early summer. Prairie spiderwort is also a popular choice for beekeeping because it can tolerate a range of soil conditions and thrives in hot and dry places. The best flowers for honeybees are album superbum and autumn joy sedum. For bees, the cosmos is an annual plant that offers both pollen and nectar. Another good flower for bumblebees is the shasta daisy, which features a bright yellow pollen eye and milky white petals. Dahlia and foxglove are also great choices because they are tall and contain pollen-rich flowers.
Besides being an easy to grow summer flower, Cosmos bipinnatus is a perennial that can be used in gardens. It’s an excellent choice for filling gaps in summer beds, adding height to bedding displays, and can be deadheaded regularly. A few types of cacti that can be grown as bumblebee-friendly include Cosmos atrosanguineus, cosmos sulphureus, and cosmos bipinnatus.
The blooms of cacti are very attractive and attract bumblebees in abundance. If you’re growing your own flowers, cosmos is a great choice for gardeners because it requires less work and maintenance than many other plants. In addition, the flowers’ blooms last for up to seven to 10 days. If you want to harvest a bloom, be sure to cut it early in the day. This will help reduce wiling.
Bombus pascuorum
Countless studies have shown that the abundance of bumblebees is positively correlated with flower area. In contrast, the abundance of cuckoo bumblebees was negatively associated with floral richness and the proportion of SNH in the landscape. Furthermore, in clover-rich landscapes, bumblebee species richness was greater.
The size of bumblebee workers influences their ability to forage efficiently. In most genera, task assignment is determined by progressive ageing. In bumblebees, however, workers are alloethetic and exhibit a wide range of worker size. For example, Bombus terres switches to foraging behaviours earlier than smaller bumblebees. It also produces longer tongues than smaller bumblebees.
Although bumblebees are highly efficient pollinators, they are not very naive. Consequently, it is not clear whether their individual pollination performance differs from that of other bumblebee species. In addition, worker bumblebees have a high intraspecific and intra-nest size variation, which could have an effect on the way they collect pollen grains.
Other bumblebee-friendly flowers include Centaurea scabiosa, Geranium pratense, and Origanus vulgaris. Some of these plants are perennials, while others are annuals that bloom only occasionally. Nevertheless, both Centaurea species are considered to be good plants for bumblebees. The first of these three species, Bombus pascuorum, is a perennial.
Alliums are also good plants for bumblebees. These bulb-forming perennials provide plenty of nectar. Bombus hortorum, long-tongued bumblebees, and the short-tongued variety of this species will both visit these flowers. The pollination cycle of these flowers is longer than the flowering period of many other plants, so they are great for bees’ hives.
Grape Hyacinth
The cobalt blue bells of the Grape Hyacinth plant attract scores of bees. This bulb grows best in zones four to eight, but can also thrive in zones three to nine. Despite its deer and pest-resistant nature, Grape Hyacinth is an excellent plant to plant in the spring, even if it is not the most appealing flower to look at.
In springtime, the grape hyacinth blooms its beautiful purple, blue, and white flowers, which are attractive to both human and insect pollinators. The blooms open in three weeks after the leaves appear. Grape Hyacinths can be grown in containers or sunny borders, as they are deer and squirrel resistant. Grape Hyacinths also make attractive houseplants, and are often used as bedding plants.
Despite the fact that Snapdragons are difficult to grow from seeds, they are easy to grow from tubers. This variety is easier to grow in spring, but seeds are available at Burpee or other nurseries. A variety of other varieties, such as the orange and scarlet ‘Red Butterfly’ Asclepias, has been developed specifically to attract bumblebees. The flower’s bell shape allows the bumblebees to access its sweet nectar with ease.
Another great flower for bumblebees is the snowdrop. Its early blooming habit is great for the early pollinators. Although it takes a while for the snowdrop to establish itself, it will continue to bloom each spring. Crocuses are a treat for bees in the early spring, as they are loaded with nectar. Crocus can also be planted in sunny to partially shaded gardens.
Marjoram
Many gardeners overlook the fact that the scent of marjoram can attract bumblebees. In fact, it attracts many pollinators, including the bumblebee. Marjoram, also known as Bible hyssop and Lebanese oregano, is a perennial herb that attracts a wide variety of pollinators.
It produces drifts of sweet, white flowers that attract both bumblebees and honeybees. This perennial herb also attracts leafcutter bees, furrow bees, and honeybees. Marjoram is also a popular culinary herb and can be used to season pasta, chicken, and fish. The dried herb is also used to make marjoram tea.
Thyme is another great flower for bumblebees. Thymes are low-growing and attract both honeybees and hoverflies. Plant several varieties of Thymes to ensure that your garden is covered with flowers throughout the year. It’s easy to grow and offers plenty of nectar. It also attracts hummingbirds and hoverflies.
Among the top 10 flowers for bumblebes is bombus hypnorum. This shrub is easy to grow and produces an abundance of nectar for bumblebees. It’s also a great garnish for salads and drinks. Another great flower for bumblebees is wild marjoram. Marjoram is a very aromatic herb that has a pale pink flower that attracts bumblebees.
Echinacea pallida has a cone-shaped flower in summer and drooping petals. Bees love Echinacea pallida, a perennial with small, drooping petals. It’s best to plant three plants together to get the most benefit from it. The flowers of Echinacea are a good source of nectar for bees.