Renowned TV gardener Monty Don has revealed three plants you should be adding to your garden right now if you're looking to bring more bees your way.
Monty Don's Bee-Friendly Plant Recommendations
Having fronted the much-loved Gardeners' World on and off since 2003, Monty certainly knows what it takes to make a garden truly thrive. Attitudes towards having bees in your garden have shifted considerably over the years. According to the presenter, most gardeners once had a "simple but remote" relationship with these insects. People recognised that bees produced honey, but also that they could deliver a painful sting — meaning many preferred to keep them at arm's length.
However, as Monty points out, the arrival of the varroa mite in the UK from Asia, combined with the widespread use of chemical pesticides, began to take a serious toll on the bee population. The US Department of Agriculture states that 75% of flowering plants, including fruits, nuts and vegetables, depend on creatures such as bees for pollination. Monty believes that gardeners are uniquely positioned to play their part in protecting these vital insects.
Three Key Plants for Bees
Writing in the latest edition of BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, he says: "By planting a good selection of pollen-rich flowers, we gardeners can help to halt their decline and mitigate the depredations of agriculture." Monty notes that the origin of the plant matters little, provided it offers bees pollen and/or nectar and remains sufficiently accessible to the insects. However, the evidence suggests they show a preference for native or even locally-sourced plant species, with three particular plants recommended for gardeners to consider adding to their outdoor spaces:
- Dandelions — easily accessible flowers that provide early pollen.
- Hawthorn — a native shrub that offers nectar-rich blooms.
- Willow — a tree that provides essential early-season pollen.
Monty adds: "Gardens should be a rich source of food and habitats for all kinds of bee, and with a little care can be made even better for them without any loss of pleasure to the gardener. Plant a wide range of flowering plants, including natives such as hawthorn and willow, and give a place to dandelions and other easily accessible flowers. Do your best to provide a sequential supply from early spring to late autumn. Include as many flowering shrubs, hedges or small trees as you can to provide windbreaks and shelter. Leave sunny sites as open as possible, and ensure these are filled with nectar-rich flowers for as much of the year as possible."
Avoid Pesticides
Monty rounded off with a word of warning for gardeners, urging them to steer clear of pesticides, which can prove devastating for bee populations. Separately, Monty recently revealed why he always leaves one section of his lawn "bare". Well known for his spectacular garden, it has become central to his professional life, serving as the filming location for the BBC's Gardeners' World for the past 15 years. With various areas of his garden having featured in his work over the years, it's hardly surprising they've become more closely associated with his career than personal enjoyment. As a result, the presenter has disclosed that he maintains a lesser-known section of his garden that demands minimal upkeep, allowing him to strike a balance between the demands of his garden and his own personal enjoyment of it. "I made this walk/lawn deliberately as a calm, green space to buffer and balance the business of the cottage garden and the intensity of the jewel garden," he explained.
