Gardens, parks and planted areas can be a valuable forage source — or almost worthless. What decides it is the choice of plants.

The double-flower problem

Many ornamental varieties have been bred for appearance. In doing so, stamens have often been converted into extra petals.

The result: a flower that looks impressive and offers the bees nothing. No pollen, often no accessible nectar.

Single-flowered varieties should be preferred. This is the single most useful rule in choosing garden plants for bees.

The value of gardens

Where gardens are chosen well they have real advantages:

• Diversity: Many species in a small area
• Long flowering: Cultivated plants often flower for longer than wild ones
• Filling gaps: Garden plants can cover the midsummer and autumn gaps
• Watered: Nectar secretion continues in drought where wild plants have stopped

The last point matters more than it seems: in a dry summer, watered gardens may be the only source still yielding.

Choosing plants

• Single-flowered varieties
• Herbs: Among the most productive garden plants for bees
• Shrubs and trees give far more forage than annuals for the space
• Late-flowering species to cover the autumn gap
• Early-flowering bulbs for the first pollen

The lawn question

Closely mown grass produces almost no flowers. Wide green areas can be entirely empty for bees.

Mowing less often lets clover and dandelion flower. This is the cheapest forage improvement there is and it costs nothing — it saves work.

Pesticides

Garden use is a real risk, partly because application is often unregulated and doses are judged by eye.

• Talk to neighbours and gardeners
• Explain that plants in flower should not be sprayed
• Point out that pollination benefits their own fruit and vegetables

A gardener who sees the gain is more open to cooperation.

Water

Garden ponds and pools are exactly where bees go for water. Providing your own source is the way to prevent it.

Beyond the honey bee

A well-planted garden supports wild bees too, and many of them depend on particular plants. Native species and undisturbed corners matter for that community.