Georgia Gardener Newsletter

Georgia Gardener Newsletter Design Tip: May 31, 2007

Plants for Bees and Other Pollinators

A mysterious ailment labelled as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been killing entire hives of European honeybees in the United States. Other problems with mites and pesticides have taken their toll on domesticated and wild honeybees in recent years. Other bee-like insects haven't fared too well either. If these trends continue, it's possible we could see a threat to our food supply as well as a serious decline in plants dependent upon bees and other pollinators for their reproduction. In turn, animals that depend upon those plants could face serious challenges. Fortunately, determined scientists are aggressively working to solve the problems. In the meantime, gardeners and homeowners can lend a hand by providing plants popular with these insects to help increase their available food supply. Also, it's extremely important that you eliminate the use of many pesticides or use them only as a last resort and always spray in the evening when most bees have returned to the hive.

Often the suggestion of a bee-attracting garden is met with a range of emotions from support to surprise to downright consternation. Those unfamiliar with the ways of bees (and perhaps their importance) are quick to say that having bee-attracting plants in the landscape will undoubtedly lead to more stings. Nonsense! I spend several hours every day outdoors year round and on average receive a sting from a bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket or other related creature about once every 2-3 years. In every instance, it was my fault: I stepped on or put my hand on a bee I didn't see or I stepped on or got too close to a nest. I've NEVER, EVER been stung by a bee or related insect that was foraging on flowers in the garden. I've even deadheaded plants with bees hovering around.

Trivia Question: Which insect is responsible for more human deaths worldwide each year than any other?
(The answer is found at the bottom).

The insects I truly find aggravating because they DO bite or sting regularly are chiggers, noseeums, ticks, ants and mosquitoes.

Sun-loving Plants for Bees

Below is a selection of full-sun plants for bees. Others not pictured include: Redbud, Apple, Citrus trees, Holly, False Indigo (Baptisia), Roses, Viburnum, Geranium, Penstemon, Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Goldenrod, Yarrow, Cat Mint/Mint (can be invasive) Joe-pye Weed, Salvia (all varieties), Sedum, Aster, Agastache (Hyssop), Penta, Cleome and Passion Vine (pictured above).


Abelia	Lantana


Milkweed	Coneflower


Black-eyed Susan	Bee Balm (Monarda)


Phlox	Sourwood Tree


Swamp Sunflower	Forsythia Sage


Indian Blanket (Gaillardia)	Stokes Aster


Verbena	Mountain Mint

Shade-tolerant Plants for Bees

Below is a selection of shade-tolerant plants for bees. Others not pictured include: Impatiens, Jacob's Ladder, Forget-me-nots, Ligularia, Toad Lily and Heuchera.


Foam Flower	Turtlehead


Obedient Plant	Azaleas


Spiderwort	Hosta (flowers)

Trivia Answer: Mosquitoes cause nearly 3 million human deaths each year, mainly from Malaria. They also transmit Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, Encephalitis and several other diseases not only to humans but to pets and livestock.