Learn why bees are important in your garden.

Bees are vital to the life cycle pf plants through the process of pollination. This process is essential because it allows plants to reproduce, and many species depend on bees to survive. However, bee health is under threat from a variety of factors, including habitat loss, climate change, viruses, and disease. Fortunately, your backyard garden can become a haven where bees can forage and find pollen and nectar.

What is the role of bees?

Bees collect nectar and pollen from the flowers of plants, including from the stamens, the male reproductive organs. When a bee visits the next flower, it transfers the pollen to the stigma, the top of the pistil, the female reproductive organ. This transform is essential for the fertilisation of plants, enabling the growth of seeds, fruits, and food crops.

How to identify a bee

While many people are familiar with honeybees and bumblebees, there are over 200 bee species found across the UK and the British Isles (and around 20,000 worldwide). Bees are often mistaken for similar-looking insects such as wasps, hornets, or hoverflies.

The BBC Countryfile, have put together a bee identification guide for your ease. It explains why bees are important, how to identify them, and how to make your garden more bee friendly.

Plants for bees

  • Dahlias

  • Buddleia

  • Lavender

  • Clematis

  • Foxglove

  • Hosta

  • Wildflowers

What you can do

  • Provide access to water – Bees need water for survival and use it their hives. While they often drink dew or raindrops from leaves and flowers, you can help by offering a safe water source. Avoid deep water, as it can drown bees. Simply mist plants during dry spells or allow small puddles to form on leaves.

  • Provide shelter – Bees and other pollinators love shady, sheltered spots. Let part of your garden grow a little wild or stake a few logs in a quiet corner. You can also add a bee house to give them a safe place to rest and nest.

Using insecticides

If you use garden care products, always check the label to ensure they are safe for bees. Misuse of insecticides can be harmful. For more information, download our ‘Bee informed: When using insecticides in your garden’ leaflet.