Creating a Native Bee-Friendly Garden A Step-by-Step Guide

Native bees are essential pollinators that play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and diversity of our ecosystems. Creating a native bee-friendly garden in your backyard, is not only fun but you’ll provide these important insects with the resources they need to thrive, while also enjoying the beauty and benefits of a vibrant, flourishing garden. In this step-by-step we’ll guide help you through the process of designing and planting a native bee-friendly garden, with tips on selecting the right plants, providing nesting materials, and avoiding harmful pesticides.

Key Principles for Bee-friendly Gardening

1. Plant Variety – Choose a variety of native plants that bloom from early spring to late autumn to provide continuous food sources for the bees.
2. Avoid Insecticides – Refrain from using systemic insecticides, which are absorbed by plants and remain toxic for long periods, as well as contact and ingested insecticides.
3. Provide Habitats – Accommodate different native bee species by leaving bare ground for ground-nesters and creating bee hotels for those preferring wood or crevices.

Read on to learn how you can make your garden a safe and inviting environment for native bees, enhancing your local ecosystem.

Step 1: Choose plants that provide year-round resources

To support native bees throughout the year, select plants that flower at different times, providing a continuous supply of nectar and pollen. Consider including:

• Plants with long flowering periods, such as Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’, which provides nectar for most of the year.
• A mix of plants that flower in different seasons, ensuring there is always a food source available.
• Native plants that are well-adapted to your local climate and soil conditions.

Step 2: Incorporate a variety of flower colors and shapes

Different native bee species have different preferences when it comes to flower color and shape. To attract a diverse range of bees to your garden, include:

• Shallow flowers like daisies, tea tree (Leptospermum), and Eucalyptus blossoms for short-tongued bees.
• Tubular flowers such as Coastal native rosemary (Westringia), lavender, and salvia for long-tongued bees.
• A mix of flower colors, with an emphasis on blue, purple, mauve, pink, yellow, and white.
• Both native and exotic flowers, as many native bees will visit a wide range of plants.

Step 3: Plant flowers in groups

Native bees are more likely to locate and visit your garden when flowers are planted in groups or clusters. Consider:

• Creating beds or rows of a particular flower species to make them more attractive to bees.
• Planting in drifts or clumps rather than scattering individual plants throughout the garden.
• Keeping in mind that even a small bee-friendly garden can make a difference, as bees will visit multiple gardens in the area.

Step 4: Provide nesting materials

In addition to food sources, some native bees require specific materials to construct their nests. To accommodate these nesting needs, consider:

• Planting soft-leaved plants like rose bushes, Buddleja, Bauhinia, Desmodium, and wisteria for Leafcutter Bees, which use circular or oval-shaped leaf pieces to build their nest cells.
• Providing resin sources for Resin Bees, such as by collecting resin from Stingless Bee hives and making it available to the bees.
• Installing bee hotels or leaving untidy areas with hollow stems, bare ground, and dead wood to provide nesting sites for various native bee species.

Step 5: Avoid using insecticides

Insecticides can be harmful to native bees and other beneficial insects in your garden. To minimize the use of insecticides:

• Encourage natural predators such as solitary wasps, ladybirds, lacewings, and praying mantises, which help control garden pests.
• If insecticide use is necessary, choose products with low toxicity for bees, apply them when bees are less active (e.g., at night or on cold days), and avoid spraying flowers directly.
• Explore alternative pest control methods, such as handpicking pests, using horticultural oils, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or praying mantises.

Bee Garden Ideas

Attracting Australian native bees to your garden can be both beneficial for the ecosystem and fun too! Here are some unusual yet effective ideas to help make your garden more inviting to these important pollinators.

1. Floral Aromatherapy – Experiment with essential oils from native flowers by lightly dabbing them around your garden. This can mimic the natural scents of flora that might not be blooming yet and could attract curious bees looking for a new source of nectar.
2. Colorful Bee Paths – Paint rocks or garden decorations with bright, bee-friendly colors like blue, purple, and yellow, arranging them in pathways that lead to your most bee-desirable plants. Native bees are attracted to these colors, and creating a visual path can guide them deeper into your garden.
3. Water Features with a Twist – Bees need water, but they can drown in traditional bird baths. Set up shallow water sources with floating corks or sticks where bees can land and hydrate safely. Adding a few drops of honey to the water can also attract bees with its sweet scent.
4. Native Bee Storyboards – Create educational storyboards about different types of native bees and their roles in the ecosystem that can be placed around the garden. This not only educates passers-by, kids or visitors but also celebrates the diversity of bee species, enhancing the attractiveness of the area as a bee sanctuary.
5. Bee-Safe Night Lighting – Install low-wattage, yellow LED lights to illuminate your garden at night without disturbing the bees’ natural cycles. Many insects are less attracted to yellow light, reducing the risk of harming nocturnal bee activity.
6. Interactive Bee Gardens – Designate a section of your garden for interactive bee activities, like bee watching or bug hunts, especially for kids. Planting child-friendly, bee-attracting plants lower to the ground can engage little ones and educate them on the importance of bees.
7. Artistic Nesting Blocks – Instead of standard bee hotels, create or commission artistically designed nesting blocks that serve as both bee habitat and garden sculpture. Materials like untreated wood, bamboo, or even clay can be used to craft these functional artworks.
8. Edible Bee Gardens – Combine culinary herbs and edible flowers that are attractive to bees. Plants like lavender, thyme, and borage not only draw bees but can also be used in your kitchen, creating a multi-purpose garden area.

These unusual ideas, will enhance your garden’s appeal to native bees and contribute positively to the preservation and appreciation of these essential pollinators in Australia.

Australian native bees FAQs

Q: How do you attract Australian native bees to your garden?
A: To attract Australian native bees to your garden, you can:

1. Plant a variety of native flowers that bloom throughout the year, providing a continuous food source.
2. Include flowers of different colors and shapes, such as shallow flowers for short-tongued bees and tubular flowers for long-tongued bees.
3. Plant flowers in groups or clusters to make them more attractive to bees.
4. Provide nesting materials like soft-leaved plants for Leafcutter Bees and resin sources for Resin Bees.
5. Install bee hotels or leave untidy areas with hollow stems, bare ground, and dead wood for native bees to nest in.
6. Avoid using insecticides, as they can harm native bees and other beneficial insects.

Q: Can you keep native bees in Australia?
A: Yes, it is possible to keep some species of Australian native bees, particularly the stingless social bees in the genera Tetragonula and Austroplebeia. These bees can be kept in hives, similar to European honey bees, and are becoming increasingly popular for their delicious honey and their role as pollinators. However, most Australian native bees are solitary and do not live in managed hives. It is essential to research the specific requirements of the native bee species you are interested in keeping and to obtain any necessary permits before starting.

Q: What plants are good for native Australian bees?
A: Some excellent plant choices for native Australian bees include:

1. Native plants like Eucalyptus, Banksia, Grevillea, Callistemon, Melaleuca, and Leptospermum.
2. Herbs such as lavender, basil, sage, and thyme.
3. Flowering vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
4. Ornamental flowers such as daisies, marigolds, and salvias.
5. Fruit trees, including citrus, apples, and pears.
   Remember to choose plants that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions, and aim for a diverse mix of flowers that bloom at different times of the year.

Q: How do you move native bees in Australia?
A: The method for moving native bees depends on the species and the type of nest they inhabit. For stingless social bees kept in hives, the process typically involves:

1. Preparing a new hive box with the appropriate size and ventilation.
2. Carefully transferring the nest structure, including the brood comb and food stores, from the old hive to the new one.
3. Ensuring that the queen bee is successfully transferred to the new hive.
4. Sealing the hive entrance temporarily to prevent bees from returning to the old location.
5. Placing the new hive in the desired location and opening the entrance after a few days.

For solitary native bees, it is generally best not to move them unless absolutely necessary. If you must move a solitary bee nest, try to do so during the cooler months when the bees are less active, and keep the nest structure intact as much as possible. Place the nest in a similar environment to its original location. It is crucial to seek advice from native bee experts or local authorities before attempting to move any native bee nests, as some species may be protected, and improper handling can harm the bees.

Creating a native bee-friendly garden is a great and impactful way to support local biodiversity and protect these vital pollinators. By selecting the right plants, providing nesting materials, and minimizing insecticide use, you can transform your backyard into a haven for native bees. Not only will you be contributing to the conservation of these essential insects, but you’ll also have the opportunity to observe and enjoy the fascinating world of native bees right in your own garden. So start planning your native bee-friendly garden today, and watch as your backyard comes alive with the buzz of these incredible pollinators.