One out of every three bites of food we eat is made possible by a bee and 80 percent of all flowering plants rely on bees for survival. Bees pollinate more plants than any other creatures on earth as they collect nectar and pollen to nourish themselves and their young. Their nests aerate the soil and their dung, like that of earthworms, enriches it. Of the nearly 4,000 species of bees, few are "social," like honeybees. The vast majority of native bees, such as, digger bees, mason bees, and sweat bees are solitary.

Bees are needed to pollinate clover (animal forage), cotton and sunflowers (fiber and oils). Most of the vegetable crops are really fruits (tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, corn, squash, cucumbers, etc.). Ornamental plants and weeds need pollination as the bee continues working on nectar collection. Thus, pollination is critical to plant and bee but also to our own survival.

Cynthia Manuel of the Northern Colorado Bee Association says, "It is primarily bees, due to their great numbers and availability rather than butterflies, who pollinate and thus make seed for us to grow our flowers and vegetables, not to mention how indispensable they are to fruit growing or alfalfa production."

Honey is derived from the nectar of numerous plant species. Different flowers produce different quantities, qualities, colors, consistencies and flavors of nectar. Bees collect nectar from flowers and take it back to their hives, where they convert it into honey by drying it to reduce moisture content, add an enzyme from their saliva that converts the sucrose in nectar into glucose and fructose. The bee seals the honeycomb cells containing the honey with wax for storage.

Gardeners can promote and contribute to bee development by planning plant diversity and succession blooming. Secretion of nectar varies throughout the year due to changes in temperature and rainfall.

Spring blooms can affect the bee for the whole year. The hive is weak after the winter and needs to build up strength. The success of the early spring brood rearing also determines how well the hives will be able to utilize nectar during the main honey flow. Trees such as willows, maples, crabapple, hawthorn, linden and fruit trees are often the principle source of spring food.

Flowers that are blue, violet, pink or yellow are most attractive to bees. The petals of these flowers need to form a landing platform and have a sweet scent. Many hybrid plants have the nectar and pollen selected out, but they have big, ruffled flowers with hundreds of petals. Plants such as privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and English ivy (Hedera helix) lure honeybees but produce strong, unpleasant-tasting honey.

Summer blooms are the main nectar sources when hives are the strongest. Some of the best honey plants for the Front Range recommended by the Northern Colorado Bee Association include: Agastache - any, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Hollyhock (Alcea rosea), foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), globe thistle (Echinops), gayfeather (Liatris spicata), bee balm (Monarda ssp) self-heal (Prunella grandiflora), goldenrod (Solidago atecumbens), stonecrop sedum (Sedella ssp), and speedwell (Veronica ssp.)

Wildflower favorites include alfalfa (Medicago), clover (Trifolium), milkweed (Asclepias), thistle (Cirsium), mustard (Brassica) and yucca. Many culinary and medicinal herbs are favorites of bees. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is a special favorite of bees and has one of the longest bloom periods in the mint family. Other herbs favored by bees include borage, chive (Allium), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), marjoram (Origanum), oregano (Origanum vulgar spp.), sage (Salvia spp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme and mint (Mentha).

Thyme herb varieties of common, French, wooly, silver, and lemon are low growing and hardy with distinctive scents. Chocolate, spearmint, apple mint, catmint, peppermint, and orange mint are a few types of mints. When they produce a flower, bees are there. Most mints bloom late in the summer. Each herb source of nectar has its own flavor.

Sufficient autumn blooming plants are necessary for the bees to go into the winter, reducing the chance of winterkill. Gardeners favor many of the more than 100 varieties of aster. Perennial asters range in color from white and pink to light and dark purple and bloom from early spring to late fall.

Other recommended late summer flowering plants are favorites like beardtongue (Penstemon campanulatus), Pikes Peak purple (Penstemon x mexicali), all species of penstemon, Russian sage (Perovskia), stonecrop (Sedum, spp.), border jewel (Polygonum, spp.), silver lace vine (Polygonum aubertii), and rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus nauseousus).

By planting the right plants, the friendly buzz of bees can bring a garden alive. Bees also need habitat that includes dead trees or the odd dead branch. Leafcutter bees and mason bees use holes left by wood boring beetles as nests. Ditch banks or a few small areas of open ground are a source for native bees to nest. Bees require a shallow or muddy source of water. CAUTION: Bees are super sensitive to herbicides and insecticides.

Additional information may be obtained from the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association

You can also find information from Colorado State University Cooperative Extension on Fact sheet #5.525 Nuisance wasps and bees and #5.576 Leafcutter bees.

Q: I have seen some beautiful wildflower beds. When is the best time to plant wildflower seeds?

A: The best time to sow wildflower seeds is in the fall because the winter cold and snow will promote good seed germination next spring. If winter snows do not provide sufficient moisture, you may need to water in the spring to start germination. Be sure to choose a mix suitable for the site where you are going to plant such as southern or northern exposures.

Q: My bluegrass lawn has several large spots that appear to be dead. What could be causing it?

A: A very common problem in bluegrass lawns in Colorado is a fungal disease called Ascochyta leaf blight. It can occur anytime during the growing season, but is more prevalent during extended wet periods. Poor soil conditions and improper care of the turf such as frequent watering and dull mower blades often contribute to the spread of this disease. Practicing good cultural controls such as core aerating annually, using sharp mower blades, mowing the grass 2 1/2 to 3 inches high, infrequent deep watering and minimizing the application of nitrogen fertilizer will help the lawn overcome this disease on its own. However, severe cases may require the use of fungicides. Check with your Colorado State University Cooperative Extension county office for specific recommendations.

Q: I would like to replace some of my bluegrass with xeric ground cover plants. How should I proceed?

A: Most xeric ground covers do best in full sun but some do well in partial shade. However, regardless of where they are located, they need to be in good soil conditions for best results. Amend the soil before planting and make sure it has good drainage and aeration and weeds have been eliminated.

Fruit trees and other grafted trees and shrubs, especially roses, may send up suckers. These are weak shoots that appear at the base of the trunk. Prune the suckers as close to the trunk or root as possible so they don't overtake or dominate the original plant.

Now is the time to divide iris and daylilies and other perennials that have finished blooming. Dig up the whole clump. Break apart the roots into several divisions - cutting away any old or dead roots or tubers. Weed and amend the soil and replant the divisions. Give away your extra plants or add them to the compost pile.

Harvest herbs and make a soothing herb tea. Mix two or more herbs in equal parts. Try peppermint and lemon balm or chamomile, strawberry leaves and cinnamon basil. To brew the tea, add 3 tsp. of fresh herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

Turn your compost pile often and keep it moist; not soggy, but like a wrung out sponge. Add flowers that have stopped blooming and early vegetables from the garden. Grass clippings can also be used in the compost pile if you haven't used any herbicides on your lawn.

Plant short season crops for a fall harvest. Radishes, spinach, beets and lettuce mixes can still produce a crop before winter sets in. Keep the seed moist until they germinate. Use a mulch of straw or hay or pine needles around the seedlings to keep the soil moist.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  August 23, 2004