Let's Get Sustainable: Plants that Provide Nectar for Pollinators
Concerned about the bees? Do your bit for them and other pollinators by growing these useful and attractive plants
Carol Bucknell
13 May 2017
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More
The declining numbers of honey bees is now, sadly, common knowledge throughout the world. Fortunately, gardeners everywhere are doing their bit to help avert this crisis by planting more nectar-rich species that not only attract bees, but other useful insect pollinators such as lacewings, butterflies and parasitic wasps. Many bird species in Australia and New Zealand are also pollinators. Tui, hummingbirds, many lorikeets, honeyeaters and the red wattlebird love to feast on nectar-producing flowers such as bottlebrush, grevillea, eucalypts, manuka and other tea tree species.
To keep all these nectar eaters well fed, it’s a good idea to grow a range of plants so there are plenty of flowers throughout the year, not just in summer. Not sure what to plant? Take a walk around your neighbourhood or a local park and look out for plants that bees and butterflies are attracted to at different times of year. And check out the nectar-rich plants in this story – all designed by nature to make our gardens a haven for nectar-feeding pollinators.
To keep all these nectar eaters well fed, it’s a good idea to grow a range of plants so there are plenty of flowers throughout the year, not just in summer. Not sure what to plant? Take a walk around your neighbourhood or a local park and look out for plants that bees and butterflies are attracted to at different times of year. And check out the nectar-rich plants in this story – all designed by nature to make our gardens a haven for nectar-feeding pollinators.
Fruit trees
As the old song says, apple trees and honeybees go hand in hand. In fact bees and other pollinators adore the nectar of not only apples, but many other pip fruit tree flowers. These include nectarines, apricots, plums, pears and citrus species such as lemon, grapefruit and oranges.
As the old song says, apple trees and honeybees go hand in hand. In fact bees and other pollinators adore the nectar of not only apples, but many other pip fruit tree flowers. These include nectarines, apricots, plums, pears and citrus species such as lemon, grapefruit and oranges.
Blue flowers
Bees and butterflies love blue flowers so fill your garden with drifts of forget-me-not (Myosotidium) as shown here. Or go for blue lobelia, delphinium, rosemary, Californian lilac (Ceanothus), cut-leaf daisies (Brachyscome), catmint (Nepeta), borage and lavender.
Tip: Hybrid flowering plants produce little nectar or pollen. Avoid these if possible and plant old-fashioned or heirloom varieties.
Bees and butterflies love blue flowers so fill your garden with drifts of forget-me-not (Myosotidium) as shown here. Or go for blue lobelia, delphinium, rosemary, Californian lilac (Ceanothus), cut-leaf daisies (Brachyscome), catmint (Nepeta), borage and lavender.
Tip: Hybrid flowering plants produce little nectar or pollen. Avoid these if possible and plant old-fashioned or heirloom varieties.
Yellow flowers
Pollinating insects are also attracted to yellow flowers such as these California poppies (Eschscholtzia). Other yellow blooming plants to consider include pot marigold (Calendula), yellow daylilies (Hemerocallis), many daisies, coneflowers (Rudbeckia), sunflower and Coreopsis.
Tip: Planting in large groups makes it easier for pollinators to identify their favourite flowers from above.
Keep a hive in your own backyard
Pollinating insects are also attracted to yellow flowers such as these California poppies (Eschscholtzia). Other yellow blooming plants to consider include pot marigold (Calendula), yellow daylilies (Hemerocallis), many daisies, coneflowers (Rudbeckia), sunflower and Coreopsis.
Tip: Planting in large groups makes it easier for pollinators to identify their favourite flowers from above.
Keep a hive in your own backyard
New Zealand native flowers
Many New Zealand and Australian native flowering plants are bee magnets, especially for native bees, many of which prefer to forage only on native flowers. The blue-coloured flowers of the NZ native Blue Gem (Hebe x franciscana), shown here, make them even more alluring to pollinators as does the fact the hebes are planted in a long block, ensuring they are easy for nectar-feeders flying around to spot. Other, smaller, New Zealand natives suitable for urban gardens that attract insect and bird pollinators include rengarenga lily (Arthropodium) and flaxes; their flowers are a particular favourite of the native tui.
Many New Zealand and Australian native flowering plants are bee magnets, especially for native bees, many of which prefer to forage only on native flowers. The blue-coloured flowers of the NZ native Blue Gem (Hebe x franciscana), shown here, make them even more alluring to pollinators as does the fact the hebes are planted in a long block, ensuring they are easy for nectar-feeders flying around to spot. Other, smaller, New Zealand natives suitable for urban gardens that attract insect and bird pollinators include rengarenga lily (Arthropodium) and flaxes; their flowers are a particular favourite of the native tui.
Australian native flowers
Grevillea ‘Long John’ (pictured) is one of many cultivars in this popular Australian genus. Most are very attractive to bees and other pollinators. The flowers contain copious amounts of nectar and are stunning to look at too. Another good reason for the popularity of Grevillea in gardens on both sides of the Tasman is the versatility of the genus, with some species grown as ground covers and others as shrubs or small trees. Other smaller native Australian plants for attracting pollinators include Dianella, Hakea, Hibbertia and Plectranthus species.
Grevillea ‘Long John’ (pictured) is one of many cultivars in this popular Australian genus. Most are very attractive to bees and other pollinators. The flowers contain copious amounts of nectar and are stunning to look at too. Another good reason for the popularity of Grevillea in gardens on both sides of the Tasman is the versatility of the genus, with some species grown as ground covers and others as shrubs or small trees. Other smaller native Australian plants for attracting pollinators include Dianella, Hakea, Hibbertia and Plectranthus species.
Tea trees
Many of the most well-known bee-attracting plants in Australia and New Zealand are part of the Leptospermum genus, known as manuka in New Zealand and tea tree on both sides of the ditch. Like Grevillea the Leptospermum genus is large and varied with plants ranging from low ground covers to small trees. Some are suited to coastal conditions, others are tolerant of damp so choose carefully when buying. Pictured here is a red-flowering manuka cultivar from the New Zealand native species Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as manuka.
Many of the most well-known bee-attracting plants in Australia and New Zealand are part of the Leptospermum genus, known as manuka in New Zealand and tea tree on both sides of the ditch. Like Grevillea the Leptospermum genus is large and varied with plants ranging from low ground covers to small trees. Some are suited to coastal conditions, others are tolerant of damp so choose carefully when buying. Pictured here is a red-flowering manuka cultivar from the New Zealand native species Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as manuka.
Flowering trees
Planting native trees with nectar- rich flowers is one of the best ways to attract both insect and bird pollinators. Plant the Aussie native bottlebrush (pictured) and your garden will be a haven for nectar-feeding birds, butterflies and bees. In New Zealand gardens, bees and birds, particularly tui, adore the blooms of kowhai (Sophora) and pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa). Other New Zealand natives with nectar producing flowers include cabbage tree (Cordyline), five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus), Olearia species, kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa) and nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida).
Beginner’s guide to bird-friendly gardens
Planting native trees with nectar- rich flowers is one of the best ways to attract both insect and bird pollinators. Plant the Aussie native bottlebrush (pictured) and your garden will be a haven for nectar-feeding birds, butterflies and bees. In New Zealand gardens, bees and birds, particularly tui, adore the blooms of kowhai (Sophora) and pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa). Other New Zealand natives with nectar producing flowers include cabbage tree (Cordyline), five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus), Olearia species, kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa) and nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida).
Beginner’s guide to bird-friendly gardens
Herbs
Nectar-rich herbs are nature’s answer to a productive vegie garden. There’ll always be bees and other pollinators around your crops if you plant rosemary, lavender, sage, basil and chives nearby. Borage is another bee magnet, sow or plant it as a companion plant to attract bees and to draw black fly away from vegie plants.
Nectar-rich herbs are nature’s answer to a productive vegie garden. There’ll always be bees and other pollinators around your crops if you plant rosemary, lavender, sage, basil and chives nearby. Borage is another bee magnet, sow or plant it as a companion plant to attract bees and to draw black fly away from vegie plants.
Butterfly attractants
If you love monarch butterflies plant some Echinacea, also known as coneflower. The nectar-producing flowers of this hardy perennial are usually covered with monarchs, bees and other insects in summer and autumn. Other popular flowering plants for butterflies (and usually bees) include Alyssum, Calendula, Cineraria, Cleome, Dianthus, Echium, gazania, Hebe, marigold, Salvia and Zinnia.
Note: The above plants provide nectar for the butterflies to feed on. They are not host plants where female butterflies will lay their eggs on. These are usually very specific species such as swan plant.
Tell us
About your experiences with nectar-feeding insects and birds in your garden in the Comments section.
More
Browse more beautiful gardens for inspiration
If you love monarch butterflies plant some Echinacea, also known as coneflower. The nectar-producing flowers of this hardy perennial are usually covered with monarchs, bees and other insects in summer and autumn. Other popular flowering plants for butterflies (and usually bees) include Alyssum, Calendula, Cineraria, Cleome, Dianthus, Echium, gazania, Hebe, marigold, Salvia and Zinnia.
Note: The above plants provide nectar for the butterflies to feed on. They are not host plants where female butterflies will lay their eggs on. These are usually very specific species such as swan plant.
Tell us
About your experiences with nectar-feeding insects and birds in your garden in the Comments section.
More
Browse more beautiful gardens for inspiration
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The bees start their day on the pink diosma, move to the buddleia (where they have too find space between all the butterflies), and absolutely wont leave the borage alone. Native bees and honey bees love the crepe myrtle. Its fun to hear the bees up in the Angels Trumpet which amplifies their buzz. Spinebills love the grevillea, kangaroo paws, buddleia and bottlebrushes. The banksia is busy through the winter. Don't forget to put out water to attract the birds too. We love our busy garden :-)
You also have to question the Bee Keepers. Bees make honey for themselves. We come along and take this honey, however the good Bee Keepers will leave a good supply for the bees and take what's left. Other Bee Keepers aren't so generous, they leave sugar water for them to feed from. So you tell me if this is fair. If our bees aren't getting good nutrition then how can they continue to survive. We should only be purchasing honey from those that are doing it right!
And I agree with not using insecticides. We must let our insects do their work naturally as much as possible.
As a young girl I remember being stung by a bee. Though it hurt I cried more for the bee as now that bee would die.