The honey bee has flourished on this planet for fifty million years. This hard working species of bee is responsible for pollinating flowers, trees, and food crops from around the world. Since much of the food we eat is dependent on honey bees for pollination, human survival is dependent on this species. Colonies of honeybees have been disappearing at an alarming rate around the world due to parasites, viral and bacterial diseases, as well as pesticides and herbicides. Honey bee colonies have been rapidly dying off and if this trend continues the honey bee will disappear from the world.
Providing a long season of nectar and pollen rich flowers for bees to feed on is something we can do to help the honey bees. Ensure you have flowers, shrubs and plants in bloom for as long as possible in your garden. Some bees may come out early, and will be looking for much needed pollen and nectar sources provided by spring bulbs such as narcissus and crocuses. Foxglove, snapdragons, and calendula are midsummer favorites. Some bees will continue foraging late into the season too, so try to ensure you include late flowering blooms in your garden, such as goldenrod.
