Honey Bee friendly garden plants

Question

I want to encourage the honey bees that come to the lavender in my garden. (I’m even considering researching having a bee hive of my own.) I grow province lavender, a bit of bee balm, and canna bulbs now. What other additions can I add to my acidic Long Island soil that would encourage our busy bee friends to my garden? I enjoy the idea of an easy care garden with as many indigenous plants as possible.

Answer 1

Native plants often take less care after they are established. Like any annual or perennial, they need watering the first year if rainfall is less than 1 inch/week. Consider planting something that blooms early so the bees have a food source before the lavender blooms. Many flowering trees and shrubs, both large and small, fill the need. Other recommended perennials include coneflower (Echinacea), asters (fall blooming), joe pye weed, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), roses and salvia. Be sure to buy plants from a local native plant nursery as the bees in your area will be accustomed to these food sources. Familiarize yourself with this internet site: http://millionpollinatorgardens.org