Bee friendly flower bulbs

Spring is a season of awakening, but bees are getting back to work sooner that you may imagine. By the end of February, honey and pollen stores are at a yearly low for honeybee hives; and as temperatures rise and the queen begins to lay eggs to replace workers at the end of their winter life-span, nectar and pollen must be gathered to feed them. For solitary bee queens such as the bumblebee, successful nesting is dependent on what they can forage for themselves as early as possible.

It’s a make-or-break time for bees, but the pollinator-conscious gardener can make things much easier by choosing fall-planted bulbs that will fill the spring with forage for hungry bees and provide color for the gardener. Planting in the fall also allows the gardener to easily slip bulbs between established perennials or shrubs that are still going strong in September and October.

Gardeners know that bees are some of the most important pollinators in our environment. In recent years, however, there has been a steady decline in bee populations due to loss of habitat and overuse of pesticides and herbicides. Do your part to help the ecosystem this season and add some bee-friendly plants to your yard or garden. In order to reverse the decline in the bee population, follow these tips to create a friendly habitat to attract bees.