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Information

Plants that Attract Australian Native Bees

5/8/2018

4 Comments

 
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Are you looking to attract Australian Native Bees to your garden? Planting flowers is one of the best ways to do this. Native Bees such as stingless bees require three main resources - Nectar, Pollen, and Resin. If possible, try to make sure that you have at least two plants flowering at all times of the year. This ensures that there are ample resources even during periods (such as winter) where there is usually not as many.
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The Best Plants to Plant for Australian Native Bees:
  • Tuckeroo 
This attractive plant has a large native range, is hugely popular with all kinds of insect activity, a non-invasive plant, and it is even used by many councils as street trees!

  • Wattle
Wattles flower during winter, when not much else is available, so they provide a valuable source of pollen in times of scarce resources.

  • Roses
Roses look great, smell divine, and even attract many different types of native bees! Stingless bees forage on the flowers, and leaf cutter bees use the leaves to line their nests :)
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Stingless Bee on Tuckeroo
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Wattle
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Roses
  • Gum Trees
These flowers are very attractive to bees such as stingless bees and teddy bear bees

  • Lavender
Solitary bees, such as blue banded bees are known to adore lavender.

  • Salvias
Another type of plant that is super popular with solitary bees!

  • Haeka
I have a 'Silky Haeka' plant at my house, I got it very recently so it has not yet flowered by many people claim that native bees love them!

  • Palms
Stingless bees absolutely love palm flowers :)

  • Herbs
Native bees will happily forage on the flowers of many herbs including basil, thyme, rosemary and coriander.

  • ​Flax Lillies
These native plants are very popular in urban landscaping and have the added benefit of attracting native bees.

  • Grass Trees
I have not seem many of these, but have heard many people say that they are a favourite for stingless bees :)

  • Veggies
Let some of your veggies (such as cabbages, lettuces, broccolis, radish, etc) go to flower and the bees will often flock to them!

  • Camellias & Azaleas

  • Nutmeg Bush

  • Dahlias

  • Nasturtiums

  • Ivory Curl

  • Tea Tree

Tea tree flowers are worked by stingless bees and solitary bees at varying times of the year.

  • Grevillea
A popular pollen source for stingless bees :)

  • Lillipillies
Another common native landscaping plant, loved by stingless bees.

  • Bottlebrushes
Bottlebrushes are a popular and attractive native plant for many native bee species.

  • Paper Daisies
A great nectar and pollen source.

  • Tulipwood
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Lavender
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Basil
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Grass Trees
Thanks for reading, I hope this list helps you with finding some plants to attract native bees! Some of these are suggestions commented on a facebook post on our facebook page. If you have any other ideas, please comment them down below :)

For a more extensive list of the best plants, and information on how to build solitary bee hotels, check out Valley Bees' information-packed booklet.
4 Comments
Fancy Plants Nursery link
16/4/2019 01:39:31 am

Thanks for the information. sounds so great and helpful. Kudos!

Reply
Isaac Mayer link
11/9/2019 04:52:43 pm

No problem! Glad you found it useful

Reply
Jorida
5/10/2019 01:36:15 pm

Hi Isaac we have been in touch a while ago and we are now ready to go for a beehive. Can you pls give me a call to discuss 0422 708 681. We are based in northwood. Thanks jori

Reply
Isaac Mayer link
9/10/2019 06:44:40 pm

Hey Jorida!
Good to hear from you. Could you shoot me an email at nativebushbees@gmail.com, and I'll get back to you as quick as I can 🐝

Isaac

Reply



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    Author

    Hi! I'm Isaac, a 15 year old passionate about all of Australia's native bees, particularly our stingless bees (Bush Bees). My interest in them began when my school bought a native beehive, in early 2016.

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