Plants To Attract Bees

[devilspawn]

Are there any particular plants that are good for bees? I want to try to plant some that will help keep the bee population alive. I have some that come into my garden, but want to try and help more if I can.
I only have a small garden, so what plants I can cope with will need to be in pots majoritively, though I have a couple of spaces that can accomodate small bushes if there are some that are good.
I am not a good gardener so dont suggest anything that needs my utmost attention please.
Look forward to your words of wisdom :)

[coccinelle]

What you need is plants with lots of pollen. Honeysuckle, lavendar, many annuals ....

[SlackAlice]

English lavender works well.

[boxtops]

Buddleia attracts bees and butterflies
my climbing rose is alive with bees in the early summer
have a look here http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/features/wildlife/plants-for-bees/1107.html

[queenofmean]

My mum says almost anything with a nice scent and bright colour should attract bees. Try some of the summer bedding plants that have a nice scent, or lavender ours attract lots of bees and there's a wigelia bush outside our dining room that has lots of bees when it flowers in late May and into June. The wigelia just needs trimmed back a bit after the flowers had gone over (so mum says)

[craft1948]

You want lavender, like what your mum has under her front window :-)

[mazie]

Bergamot, also know as Bee Balm is great for the Bees.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/8808.shtml

[Clanad]

Like many insects that are involved in plant pollinization, bees are attracted to colorfual and fragrant plants. I raise bees here in the U.S. and notice that they are especially attracted to a plant called, uniquely, Bee Balm. The actual name of the plant is Monarda. It comes in various sizes and colors and is easily grown. In fact, since it comes back each year and since it re-seeds itself, in can require a little effort to keep it under control.

There are several others, of course, including all varieties of roses...

[woofgang]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&;rls=en&q=plANTS+TO+ATTRACT+BEES+UK&ie=UTF-8&;oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&;ei=lix0Uf-INca8Pb-lAQ

[Prudie]

Michaelmas daisy is also good

[Clanad]

Great minds, Maize...

[mazie]

Snap Clanad... I love it, we have the deep crimson one in the garden

[mazie]

LOL...again x

[devilspawn]

thanks for that, think Ive tried lavender before, but not seemed to attract anything. Will try again as the smell it lovely.
Thanks Boxtops for the link, I will check that again before I set off to the garden store.

[saxy_jag]

We've just been giving away 'Bee and Butterfly' mix seeds to our local schools - a mixture of cornflower, corn cockle, corn chamomile and corn poppy. Loads more here:
http://www.naturescape.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

[mazie]

Try the bergamot devilspawn, it's easy to care for and the Bees really love it. Good luck

[devilspawn]

oh wow so many to chose from, think I will have to have a good look at all your links and suggestions and see what I can get.
Thanks all, and heres to keeping the bees alive and well :)

[mazie]

I'll drink to that (Hic)

[ladybirder]

I cut an article out of my RSPB Birds magazine about bees yesterday so here are their recommendations.
Foxgloves (I echo that)
Globe Thistles (Echinops)
Coneflowers (Echinacea)

March to May: Lamiums, Lungworts, crocuses.

June to August: Lavender, Coneflowers, Foxgloves, Comfreys, Thyme, Borage, Cranesbill, Hebes, Echium, Salvias, Penstemons, Heathers, Blackberries, Clovers.

Sept to Oct: Ivy, Dahlias, Asters, Sedums, Catmints, Scabious.

Nov to February: Mahonias, Strawberry tree, Salix aegpytiaca, winter Heathers.

My advice is to walk round a garden centre on a sunny day and see which plants the bees are hovering and crawling over.

[hammerman]

Try some Heathers...the bees love it

[daffy654]

I agree with the tip about heathers, we have lots of heather in our garden and we have a lot of bees visiting every year.