1. Plant flowers indigenous to your area.
2. Plant flowers with single petals.
3. Plant yellow, white, blue and purple flowers.
4. Plant flowers that bloom in sequence.
5. Plant flowering vegetable and fruit plants.
6. Plant herbs that attract bees.

Make your garden more attractive to bees by following these tips:

Rather choose plants with blue, yellow and purple-violet flowers – bees prefer these colours. Similarly choose scented flowers in preference to unscented blooms. Include some bee-attracting indigenous plants. Plant flowers that bloom at different times, so you have pollen and nectar sources throughout the year. Sink shallow pans of water in your garden – birdbaths and ponds are too deep for them. Plants in bloom attract bees, so if you have to spray, do so before or after the blooming period. Choose an insecticide that is not toxic to bees.

Choosing plants that attract bees

1. Cosmos
2. Aster
3. Sunflowers
4. Calendulas or marigolds
5. Primulas
6. Rudbekia
7. Scabious or cornflowers
8. Lavender
9. Bluebells
10. Hellebores
11. Clematis
12. Crocus
13. Mint
14. Rosemary
15. Thyme
16. Hebe
17. Borage, the bee herb
18. Echinacea
19. Mignotette
20. Thrift, or Sea Pink
21. Sedums
22. Sweet Williams