Many property owners ask me about what to plant to help feed the bees. The short answer – is to plant for ALL the pollinators (butterflies, moths, wasps, bees (including native species as well as the honeybees used in agriculture for pollination services and honey production).
Though I separate this list to categories of trees vs bushes/wildflowers/Herbs/Vegetables/Fruits – know that they ALL benefit pollinator nutrition – and having a good variety of plants will ensure a variety of nutrition provided in the amino acids present in the pollen and nectar of the food offered to your pollinators.
I have a personal goal (or even mantra) – in the plants that suggest. They must accomplish at least 1 goal of feeding something.
- Feeding wildlife (deer, hog, rabbits, native & domestic pollinators) etc, etc
- Feeding Humans
- Feeding MY bees
If what is planted can fill at least ONE of those goals – then grow it! This list is by no means all-inclusive – and will be edited to add more as we are educated on more varieties that people enjoy in our area of North Texas. I *know* there are more beneficial plants that would help the bees (and pollinators) – however, I am going to try to limit this list to those that grow well in this area – knowing our temperatures, soil types, and drought (and rain) levels through the year.
Trees
I LOVE the fruits produced by many trees.
Fig Trees – Though these are pollinated by a wasp – they sure benefit my taste buds and belly!
Persimmon Tree (American Persimmon or Texas Persimmon)
Mulberry Trees – These trees feed the bees, the birds (don’t you love the purple spots the birds leave on your car?), people, and more! They grow easily by grafting, or simply come up volunteer from bird droppings.
Pear Trees – Note that pear trees EASILY cross pollinate. So if you have a variety of “ornamental pear” tree – then it may negatively affect fruit-bearing pear trees and cause no fruits or deformed fruits to be set. Try to make sure you have edible fruit-bearing varieties that you plant.
Locust Tree (i.e. Honey Locust, Black Locust). These trees – for the duration of their bloom – make a WONDERFUL honey for the bees and other pollinators. Keep the plants in check, though – because the thorns the tree produces can be huge!
Chinese Tallow – Another plant that is a wonderful nectar producer. Some folks want to eradicate this tree… However – did you know that the Tallow Tree is Texas’ largest commercial honey producer? A mature tree can produce a barrel (about 700 lbs) of honey in the duration of it’s nectar flow.
Bushes / Vines
Ligustrum – This ornamental is a great producer of nectar for a short bloom period. It is VERY fragrant, and
Gourds – Gourds really seem to be a great plant for all teh pollinators – and produce a fun variety of fruit shapes that can be used for SO many projects.
Privet / Chinese Privet – Again – a VERY fragrant nectar producer that makes a light-colored honey – and the air is just abuzz when they are in bloom. Don’t let some folks tell you they should be removed because they think they’re “Non Native” or “invasive”. That’s horse-hockey. They simply are a well-adapting beneficial plant. 😉
Almond Verbena / White Almond Bush / Tree Verbena ( Aloysia virgata ) (Info from my friend Esther Betschart) a shrubby, flowering plant native to Argentina and Brazil. It’s known for its strong, sweet vanilla-almond fragrance that attracts pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Here’s a quick overview of the plant:
- Appearance: White flowers bloom throughout the summer on upright stems with dark green, sandpapery leaves.
- Growth: Can be grown as a small tree or large bush, and prefers well-drained, clay soil.
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Sunlight: Needs full sun but can tolerate part sun/shade.
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Water: Requires medium watering.
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Hardiness: Susceptible to freezing weather, and is hardy to zone 8b.
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Propagation: Can be propagated by cuttings in spring or early summer.
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Other names: White Almond Bush, Tree Verbena.
Holly
Wildflowers
Bee Balm / Horsemint / Monarda – These often come up volunteer in a field a year or so after being mowed or plowed. Bee balm is a bi0annual plant (only blooms every 2 years – or in it’s 2nd year of life) – so don’t be in a hurry to mow fields that have it! Bee Balm – as it’s name suggests – is a FANTASTIC producer of nectar for honey – as well as pollen for their protein source.
Green Antelopehorn Milkweed – This milkweed develops seed pods that resemble a green antelope horn – thus giving it it’s name. It feeds bees, monarch butterflies, swallowtail butterflies, and numerous beetles, moths, and other insects.
Garden Herbs
When left to go to bloom and seed – these garden herbs are ABSOLUTELY covered in pollinators when they are ready.
Dill
Fennell
Basil
Mustard / Wild Mustard – there are SO many pants in the mustard ( brassica ) family. Broccoli, Cauliflower, actual Mustard plant, etc. These typically reseed prolifically, and benefit all the bugs!
Arugula
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