Bees do great work!
Bees are incredibly important in the ecological
process! In nature, in our garden and at nurseries, bees pollinate a huge group of plants during their flowering stage. They ensure the transfer of the pollen, which results in fertilization
which is extremely important for the development of fruit. People, animals and / or other insects like to eat those fruits, for example an apple. But the ultimate goal of nature is propagation
and the preservation of the plant species.
Flowers produce nectar, nectar attracts bees and without realizing it the bees are the largest pollinators in the world. In addition the bees produce the most delicious, healthy (100% natural)
honey, a fantastic bee-product!
In recent years, a large decrease in bees has been detected. Mostly this is due to a huge decrease in flowering plants. Both in the agricultural fields and in the private gardens, there are less
and less flowering plants, which results in less food for the bees. Time to take action, the Best4Bees initiative has one goal: to inform you what you can do in the purchase of Bee-friendly
planting.
By incorporating more flowering plants in your garden, you not only support the survival of the bees, the plant or tree species, but at the same time you also support the fruit growers and
the beekeepers.
And do not forget yourself, enjoying a fantastic flowering garden, the delicious fruits and at the same time do something useful for mother nature.
Bees love flowering plants
Bees love flowers, preferably single-flowered flowers where they can easily crawl into to feed on nectar. In the search for nectar, bees fulfill a useful task in the pollination process. A mix of perennials, shrubs and trees in your garden is the perfect environment for bees to find their nectar.
The use of different types of plants in your garden will give the bees the opportunity to always find nectar in your garden during the summer.
Perennials for bees
Achillea millefolium
Aconitum spec.
Adonis vernalis
Agastache spec.
Ajuga reptans
Alcea rosea
Aquilegia spec.
Asclepias syriaca
Aster spec.
Campanula spec.
Centaura spec.
Chrysanthemum macrophyllum
Colchicum autumnale
Dahlia spec.
Dianthus spec.
Doronicum spec.
Echinacea purpurea
Echinops ritro
Helenium autumnale
Helianthemum nummularium
Helianthus spec.
Helleborus niger
Hibiscus syriacus
Inula helenium
Lytrum salicaria
Melissa officinalis
Nepeta spec.
Origanum vulgare
Paeonia officinalis
Papaver spec.
Phlox spec.
Polemonium caeruleum
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Ribes spec.
Salvia officinalis
Sedum spec.
Sedum telephium
Silphium perfoliatum
Thymus vulgaris
Trifolium spec.
Verbena spec.
Veronica spec.
Yarrow
Aconite
Yellow pheasant's eye
Anise hyssop
Bugle
Hollyhock
Columbine
Pleurisy root
Aster
Bellflower
Knapweed
Ox eye daisy
Meadow saffron
Dahlia
Carnation
Leopard's bane
Coneflower
Thistle
Common sneezeweed
Rock rose
Sunflower
Christmas rose
Hibiscus
Horse-heal
Purple loosestrife
Lemon Balm
Catmint
Oregano
Peony
Poppy
Phlox
Jacob's ladder
Pasque flower
Redcurrant
Sage
Stonecrop
Ice plant
Cup plant
Thyme
Clover
Verbena
Brooklime
A lively garden contains a lot of perennials in different types, colors and smells. Bees love all the single flowering, nectar-containing and pollen-rich perennials of
which you find an overview on this website.
By combining perennials of different heights, flowering periods and in different locations, your garden will bloom throughout the summer and be an oasis of nutrition for the bees. Let your green
specialist advice you in the best use and combinations of bee friendly perennials.
Shrubs for Bees
Many shrubs with their exuberant bloom have a strong appeal on bees, the combination of nectar, bright flower and leaf colors makes a shrub a very popular plant for both bees and humans. After pollination by the bees, shrubs often bear fruit that gives a high ornamental value to the plant and are in some cases even is suitable for consumption. The right shrubs also ensure structure, atmosphere and color in your garden during all seasons.
Combining shrubs with perennials will turn your garden in a true bee paradise, the best shrubs are listed on this website
Amelanchier lamarckii
Berberis spec.
Buddleja spec.
Buxus sempervirens
Caryopteris x clandonensis
Ceanothus spec.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Chaenomeles japonica
Clethra alnifolia
Cornus mas
Corylus avellana
Cotoneaster spec.
Daphne mezereum
Deutzia hybrida
Diervilla sessilifolia
Eleagnus ebbingei
Euonymus europaea
Filipendula vulgaris
Hydrangea
Kerria japonica
Kolkwitzia amabilis
Lavandula angustifolia
Lonicera xylosteum
Mahonia aquifolium
Potentilla fruticosa
Prunus spinosa
Pyracantha coccinea
Rhamnus frangula
Rhododendron
Rosa rugosa
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rubus fruticosus
Rubus idaeus
Spiraea japonica
Symphoricarpos albus
Vaccinium corymbosum
Viburnum opulus
Weigela spec.
Snowy Mespilus
Barberry
Buddleia
Box
Bluebeard
Californian lilac
Buttonbush
Japanese Quince
Summersweet
Yellow dogwood
Hazel
Cotoneaster
Mezereum
Deutzia
Southern bush honeysuckle
Elaeagnus
Spindle trees
Meadowsweet
Hydrangea
Jew's Mantle
Beauty bush
Lavender
Honeysuckle
Mahonia
Tormentil
Blackthorn
Firethorn
Alder buckthorn
Rhododendron
Ramanas rose
Rosemary
Blackberry
Raspberry
Bridal wreath
Snowberry
Blueberry
Guelder rose
Weigela
Trees for Bees
Acer campestre
Acer platanoides
Acer pseudoplatanus
Aesculus spec.
Ailanthus altissima
Castanea sativa
Catalpa bignonioides
Crataegus crus-galli
Crataegus monogyna
Euodia hupehensis
Gleditsia triacanthos
Ilex aquifolium
Koelreuteria paniculata
Laburnum 'Vossii'
Malus domestica
Malus spec.
Paulownia tomentosa
Phellodendron amurense
Prunus domestica
Prunus spec.
Prunus triloba
Robinia spec.
Salix spec.
Sorbus aucuparia
Tilia spec.
Field maple
Norway maple
Sycamore
Chessnut
Tree of Heaven
Sweet chestnut
Indian bean tree
Hawthorn
Weeping Hawthorn
Bee bee tree
Thorny locust
Holly
Golden rain tree
Golden Rain
Appel
Crab Apple
Foxglove tree
Amur cork tree
Plum
Cherry
Flowering almond
False acacia
Willow
Mountain ash
Lime
The planting of trees that provide food for bees, the so-called honey trees, is very popular at the moment. The best known trees are of course fruit trees that produce all kinds of fruit for example the most delicious apples, pears and cherries. This makes
the ‘honey trees’ and asset to both bees and humans.
Trees provide shade in the garden, block the site from neighbors and flower exuberantly. Many species are only a few meters high and are therefore extremely suitable for smaller gardens.
