Trees & Shrubs For Bees
Flowering trees and shrubs are excellent for attracting many rare bee species in the UK. You might feel a little daunted by the idea of adding trees or large shrubs to your garden, but it doesn’t have to be a lot of work.
Opt for young plants and plan their planting time carefully. Avoid planting in winter and consider their flowering period.
Here are a few suggestions for your garden.
Apple or Crabapple Tree
When to plant: Autumn (from seeds)
When they flower: Spring
Popular with: Red Mason Bees, Mining Bees
Hawthorn
When to plant: Autumn (from seeds)
When they flower: Summer
Popular with: Red Mason Bees, Mining Bees
Honeysuckle
When to plant: Late spring to summer (from softwood cutting)
When they flower: Autumn
Popular with: Bumblebees
Ivy
When to plant: Autumn or spring (from vines)
When they flower: Winter
Popular with: Honeybees, Bumblebees
Mahonia
When to plant: Spring, summer, autumn
When they flower: Winter
Popular with: Honeybees, Bumblebees
Goat Willow
When to plant: Autumn (from cuttings)
When they flower: Spring
Popular with: Mining Bees, Bumblebees