Bees are often the source of considerable anxiety. They are associated with pain and fear. They are a natural part of our summers, yet most of us would prefer that we never encounter one. Thankfully, we quite literally encounter the fruits of their labor just about every day. It is estimated that 33% of the food that we eat is from crops that bees have pollinated. The 3600 bee species that live in the United States are solely responsible for pollinating 250,000 species of flowering plants. In 2019, bees produced $339 million dollars in honey. If all of that wasn’t enough-it is estimated that bee pollination adds $15 billion to our agricultural crop value. A quote often attributed to Albert Einstein is “If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”
Unfortunately, our native bee populations are declining. Matthew Sarver, an ecologist from Delaware, recently completed a survey that has encouraging news. His study showed that native bee populations do increase when homeowners choose to plant flowers and shrubs that provide the bees with a food source. It has been widely accepted that Monarch butterfly populations can be increased by planting milkweed. Now thanks to this study a direct correlation has been drawn between native bee population levels and planting pollinator friendly plants. “These are very small animals; you don’t need 100 acres to make an impact. A tiny bee can do well in a small residential setting,” states Sarver.
Want to make a positive impact on the environment and beautify your yard? Consider these flowers.
Blue Ice (Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’) It has a low mound of willow like leaves with clusters of soft blue flowers. Foliage turns a buttery yellow color in the fall. Grows best in full sun to part shade and 15” tall by 18” wide.
Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris) This fall blooming plants has pure white flowers with golden stamens. They work well when planted in conjunction with spring blooming bulbs as they help to disguise the fading bulb foliage. They are rabbit resistant and grow 10” tall and 15” wide in full to part sun.
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush (Buddleia ‘SMNBDBT’) Large dark violet flower heads adorn this low-mounded shrub. Thick stems provide additional winter hardiness. This newer variety grows about 24” tall and wide in full sun.
Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta) This selection forms a perfect mound of Mint-scented leaves, smothered by small white flowers from mid-summer until frost. Flowers become lavender as night-time temperatures decrease. Tolerates both dry and moist soils. Related to the garden Mint, without the spreading habit. Very attractive to pollinators.
Blue Bunny Sedge (Carex laxiculmis ‘Hobb’) The metallic blue foliage is wider than many other Carex. This is a low growing, evergreen, native sedge. It grows best in full to part shade.
Double Take Pink Quince (Chaenomeles ‘Pink Storm’) The double flowers resembles those of roses and appear in April. This flowering shrub grows 3 ½’ tall and 5’ wide in full sun.
Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) This deciduous tree grows about 20’ tall with distinctive horizontal branching. Small, fragrant, yellowish-white flowers appear in late spring.
Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) This spring ephemeral has clusters of white to lavender flowers on leafless stems. The very compact red tinge basal foliage is deer resistant. It does best in full sun to part shade.
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) The graceful nodding pink flowers are followed by feathery seed heads. The leaves are lobed and toothed. This native is truly a unique garden plant. It grows about 15” tall and wide and does best in dry soil in full sun.
Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis acuta) The dainty pink to white flowers last for months at a time when little else is blooming. It grows 10” tall and wide and does best in full shade.
Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’) A profusion of exceptionally large flower clusters in summer are showcased against dark green, deeply lobed oak like leaves. Blossoms open white, quickly age to deep pink and mature to ruby red. Robust flower stems remain upright even after heavy rains. Foliage turns a brilliant mahogany in fall. Compact form is well suited for small landscapes.
Super Blue English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Balavurlu’) The fragrant gray foliage is coupled with deep blue flower spikes. This lavender flowers for the majority of the summer and does best in full to part sun. Grows 10” tall and 15” wide.
Missouri Evening Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) The large fragrant yellow flowers are over curiously curly foliage. The flowers open in the late afternoons and remain open into the evening. Established plants are extremely drought and heat tolerant.
Glow Girl Birchleaf Spirea (Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor Gold’) The lemon-lime foliage on this shrub and it’s compact habit make for a great addition to any yard. The flower buds with hints of red open to a pure white color. Spectacular burgundy fall color.
Royal Candles Speedwell (Veronica spicata ‘Glory’) This attractive compact perennial has clean, deep green foliage and abundant violet-blue flowers all summer. Great for front of border, edging, mixed containers, rock gardens or en masse.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
