Sometimes it’s good to be on the “B” list. “B” as in “Bees”, that is.
Much recent news has expressed concern on the declining bee population since bees are important for pollinating fruits and vegetables. Bee population decline has been attributed to a combination of stress from parasites, pesticides and lack of flowers.
Well luckily, we have a slew of flowers in our Must Have Perennials™ collection to eliminate that source of stress!
The British Beekeeping Association, a leading organization in this field in the UK, has a list of “Pollen & Nectar Rich Plants for Your Garden” by season.
Similar lists for the US North Central Region are provided in “Protecting and enhancing pollinators in urban landscapes”.
Though Honey Bees are often the focus of concern, it’s the Bumble Bee that is most in jeopardy. See “Recovery: Bring Back Bumblebees” for more information.
When adding flowers to your garden, it’s important to have a wide range of flower forms and sizes to attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees. It’s also helpful to have a mix of varieties to provide flowers throughout the season.
The following list of Must Have Perennials varieties found in genera from the above reference sources and by our personal experience. Varieties are listed roughly by their order of flowering.
Pulmonaria Opal
Geranium Azure Rush
Geranium Bevan’s Variety*
Geranium Black ‘n White
Geranium Blue Sunrise
Geranium Blushing Turtle
Geranium Eureka Blue
Geranium Hexham Velvet
Geranium Lilac Ice®
Geranium Red Admiral
Geranium Rothberry Cherry
Geranium Rothberry Gem
Geranium Rothberry Red**
Geranium Rozanne®
Geranium Summer Skies
Geranium Sylvia’s Surprise
Penstemon Pensham Amelia Jayne*
Penstemon Pensham Czar*
Penstemon Pensham Elanor Young*
Penstemon Pensham Laura*
Penstemon Pensham Loganberry Ice*
Penstemon Prairie Twilight
Penstemon Sweet Joanne
Achillea Apricot Delight
Achillea Little Moonshine
Achillea Peachy Seduction
Achillea Pineapple Mango
Achillea Pink Grapefruit
Achillea Pomegranate
Achillea Saucy Seduction
Achillea Strawberry Seduction
Achillea Sunny Seduction
Achillea Wonderful Wampee
|
Astilbe Elizabeth Bloom
Campanula Blue Rivulet
Campanula Blue Waterfall
Campanula Chettle Charm
Echinacea Mistral*
Eryngium Big Blue
Eryngium Sapphire Blue
Heuchera Raspberry Ice*
Kniphofia Elvira
Lavandula Blue Cushion
Leucanthemum Engelina
Leucanthemum Freak!®
Phlox Flower Power
Phlox Shortwood
Helenium Mardi Gras
Helenium Pipsqueak**
Heliopsis Bressingham Doubloon
Heliopsis Loraine Sunshine
Rudbeckia Viette’s Little Suzy
Aster (Symphytotrichum) Vibrant Dome
Anemone Pretty Lady Diana*
Anemone Pretty Lady Emily*
Anemone Pretty Lady Julia*
Anemone Pretty Lady Maria*
Anemone Pretty Lady Susan*
Helianthus First Light
Helianthus Low Down
|
*North American Only **UK/Europe Only |
So, find your favorite varieties on the “Bee” list and promote them for this important use!