Karla Salp
Communications
 |
| Dandelions with Mt. Adams in the background |
Love them or hate them, this time of year dandelions are
starting to bloom, leading to the oft-repeated claim that dandelions are a
great source (sometimes also claimed the only source) of early spring blooms
for honey bees and other pollinators. While dandelions can be an important
source of pollen for bees if there is nothing else blooming, in reality, the plants
lack some essential amino acids necessary for the proper development of the hive.
Dandelions can indeed help bees survive when necessary, but alone honey bees
cannot thrive on them.
If you want to help pollinators, it is best to have diverse
flower sources that bloom throughout the year. Here are some ideas of things to
plant that make a difference for bees all year long:
Trees for Bees
 |
| Honey bee on tree blossoms |
Believe it or not, trees can be one of the best sources of
forage for pollinators and can provide some of the greatest density of
forage/acre for bees. Most people think of fruit trees – such as cherries, apples,
and pears – as being good forage sources and indeed they are. But many other
trees – such as maple, linden, and willow – are also a-buzz with bees when they
are in bloom. The flowers may be tiny but trees produce thousands of them,
providing a glut of forage for pollinators when in bloom. Tip: If you have
space, plant a variety of trees that combined bloom over a long period of time.
Shrubs
 |
| Honey bee on lavender |
In addition to trees, there are numerous native and
cultivated shrubs that provide copious flowers for pollinators. In Western
Washington, there are several plants that will bloom even in the winter months
– well before the dandelions show their sunny petals. Native plants like the
red flowering currant and serviceberry are pollinator favorites. But cultivated
shrubs like lilac, blueberries, and lavender also provide excellent sources.
Shrubs are great for any yard and because they are generally much smaller than
trees, most people have room for at least one shrub in their garden.
Flowers (of course)
While they don’t provide the quantity of forage found with
trees and shrubs, flowers remain an important source of food for pollinators.
The best part is that virtually everyone can plant flowers for pollinators, even
if you only have a small pot on a balcony. Honey bees tend to prefer daisy-like
flowers with flat, open surfaces, but plant a variety of flowers with different
shapes to attract and support a wider range of pollinators. Clover is one type
of flower that honey bees particularly like. Allowing clover to remain in your
lawn provides not only forage for pollinators but it does double-duty and fixes
nitrogen for your lawn as well!
Variety is the spice
of pollinators’ lives
 |
| Bumblebee on berry flower |
Like humans, some pollinators like honey bees need a varied
diet for optimum nutrition and health. Some pollinators are specialists and
rely on one type of plant as their sole food source. If you want to support a
wide variety of different pollinators, including honey bees, aim to grow a
variety of different plants that bloom at all different times of the year.
Dandelions may bring a bee to your yard, but year-round blooms will keep them
there.
For more information on helping pollinators in Washington
State, visit agr.wa.gov/pollinators
to learn more about WSDA’s Pollinator Health Task Force.
