A bee drinking nectar from a lavender plant | Photo by Loïc Mermilliod ()
As we inch closer to frost-free nights, those with green thumbs are mapping out the blueprints of their gardens, making decisions between annuals and perennials. If you’re having trouble deciding, you can look towards flowers and plants that can help the dwindling bee and butterfly population that are essential for helping pollinate the Earth.
Lavender This perennial (plants that regrow every spring) is an easy-to-grow versatile plant. Not only are bees and butterflies attracted to the smell (who isn’t?), the flowers can be easily harvested and dried to make lavender sachets! While France is famous for its sweeping lavender fields, you can easily grow this in your garden or in a pot. According to the “Farmer’s Almanac,” it’s best planted in the spring, two-to-three feet apart. Initially, water once or twice a week until you have mature plants, then every two-to-three weeks.
Bees flocking to foxglove flowers | Photo by George Hiles
Foxglove Foxglove flowers are native to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. It’s bright colors, long stocks and abundant flowers are a favorite among bumblebees. Hummingbirds are also big fans, though you won’t see any of those here in Europe. Foxglove flowers are a biennial plant, which means you’ll have to wait a year to see it bloom. But, it does reseed itself after it dies. While beautiful, Foxglove plants are very poisonous, so you may want to avoid it if you have pets or children.
Monarch butterflies are drawn to buddleia | Photo by Freddy G
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) Technically an invasive species brought from China, it now grows wild in parts of Europe. As the nickname suggests, butterflies flock to the bush for food. The downside, buddleia has a tendency to spread quickly and take over the area, pushing out native plants. The United Kingdom’s environmental division asks that if you grow the plant to remove seed heads after flowering to prevent it spreading.
Sunflowers attract bees, butterflies and birds | Photo by David Clode
Sunflowers As a gal who spent 10 years in Kansas, I’m obviously biased when it comes to sunflowers. Growing these long, bright yellow flowers can be a really involved process and keep in mind they can grow several feet tall. Friends of the Earth in the UK has some great tips on how to grow and keep sunflowers alive. Not only are these plants great for the bee and butterfly population, but they also attract birds, so you’ll have quite the wildlife show in your garden.
Herbs like mint attract bees and butterflies | Photo by Walter Sturn
Herb gardens Herb gardens are becoming wildly popular and can be grown both in and outdoors. Herb gardens not only add fresh spices to your cooking but help out the pollinating population as well. Some of the best herbs for this are sage, thyme, mint, parsley and dill. Oregano is great for butterflies but the ornamental plant, not the one typically used as an herb. Herb gardens are easier than you think. You can buy starter kits on both Amazon.com and Amazon.de.
