Bee-Friendly Planting Combinations: Blooms from Spring to Fall

A few summers ago, I discovered something fascinating: the concept of the BBM, or Bumblebee Mile. You might be wondering, what exactly is a BBM? I'm glad you asked. It's the distance a bumblebee travels, and did you know that a buff-tail bumblebee burns 14 calories per mile? I didn’t either! Considering that these industrious little creatures fly between 14 to 40 miles daily, that’s a significant amount of energy expended.

Imagine if each of us dedicated just one pot or a small section of our backyard to pollen- and nectar-rich flowers. We could greatly enhance the efficiency and safety of the bumblebees' daily flights.

Create a Bee-Friendly Container For Your Sunny Patio

The RHS Science team taught me that even a single pot containing English lavender, phacelia, and herbs like oregano or marjoram can support 30-40 bumblebee miles daily. Isn't that incredible? Planting these in a pot on your sunny patio can provide a vital energy source for these busy little travelers. Plus, you’ll also have a beautiful, blooming container garden all summer long.

Plant a Long-Blooming Flower Garden for Bumblebees, Butterflies, and Yourself!

If you have a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden, it's the perfect place to plant various bee-friendly plants. Here’s a simple recipe to create a flower garden that will bloom continuously through the summer, providing food for bees and a stunning display for you to enjoy.

Spring:

• Elephant Ears (Bergenia species)

Early summer to mid-July:

• Cranesbills (Geranium species)
• Thymes (a mix of Thymus species, blooming from late May to August)

Summer from June to August:

• English Lavender (Lavandula angustigolia)

• Scabiosa (Knautia macedonica)

Summer to Fall:

• Sage (Salvia species) with Thyme in the foreground

You can combine these plants in a sunny area of your garden or weave them into your existing planting. They are beneficial for bees and create a vibrant, dynamic display.

Enjoy Your Low-Maintenance Flower Garden

The best part? These low-maintenance plants give you more time to relax and enjoy your garden. Listen to the gentle buzzing of bees and watch colorful butterflies flutter by while you unwind in your backyard oasis.

If you enjoyed these tips and want to learn more, join my community of gardening enthusiasts. Let's make our gardens bloom beautifully and support our buzzing friends together!

PS. Explore More Bee-Friendly Garden Tips! Enjoyed learning about creating a bumblebee-friendly garden? Dive deeper into more tips and inspiration:

• Creating a Bumblebee Garden – Learn How!
• Best Flower Colors for Bumblebees - Colors Bumblebees can see and can't!