Hillside Greenhouse

In the process of making honey, bees pollinate a large number of crops. Crop scientists estimate that as much as 50 percent of our food supply is dependent on bees for pollination. Without bees, we would all be a good deal more hungry. Many farmers need bees for the production of crops and pay beekeepers to maintain bee colonies on their farm. But even though the general public relies on bees for more than just honey, honey is the first thing we think of when bees are mentioned.

Well, honey may be the second thing that comes to mind -- right after bee stings. There is no question, if you keep bees, you are going to occassionally get stung. The good news is that bee keepers get stung by bees, but the general public rarely does. Bees only sting to defend themselves and their hive. If you live more than about fifty feet from a hive, you have very little reason to worry about stings. Most stings are not caused by honeybees, but by wasps and hornets.

To produce honey, bees need necter. Not all plants are good necter producers. Interestingly, many of the plants that we grow in our gardens are not especially good bee plants. Plants with double flowers or plants that have been bred for special characteristics often have necter producing qualities bred out of them and are not very attractive to bees.

When you see bees collecting nectar from your flowers, you can be fairly certain that you are quite safe from stings. Bees will only sting to protect themselves or their hive. If you stay even a hundred feet from the hive, they are not likely to bother you at all. Bees will almost never sting while gathering nectar from flowers. They are too busy working to provide for the family to worry about stinging anyone. Since a bee dies after it stings, a smart colony only stings when it is absolutely necessary.

The following plants grow in our area and produce good honey crops.

Good Bee Plants

Mint family -- good necter plants but the necter is often fairly dilute

Borage -- coarse foliage can damage bee's wings

Basil -- another one that bees love.

Lavender -- moderate producer of necter.

Raspberries -- produce great honey.

White clover -- most people think of it as a lawn weed, but it is a great honey plant.

Fruit trees -- early season producer. Rarely produces harvestable honey.

Curcurbits -- cukes, squashes, melons, pumpkins -- these require pollination.

Mustard family -- includes broccoli, arugula, etc. -- need to allow them to flower!

Creeping Charlie -- another lawn weed that the bees can use for making great honey.

Anise-hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). Sometimes called the "Wonder Honey Plant" because bees really feast on it. Blooms for most of the summer. Perennial.

Bergamot (Monarda didyma and fistulosa) Also known as Bee Balm. Both species are well known bee plants. Perennial.

Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) Also known as Blueweed. Honey is white to golden in color; delicate flavor. Perennial.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria and other species) Very rich in nectar, and blooms over a long period starting in mid-summer. Well suited for naturalizing in waste places. Perennial.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Excellent nectar in June to mid-July. Produces a white to amber honey. Bees have difficulty reaching the necter. Perennial.

Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) Good nectar producer in August and September. Honey is light amber color and strong flavor. Perennial.

Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) A favorite of honey bees. Blooms mid-summer. High quality honey with fine flavor and aroma. Perennial.

Melilot (Melilotus officinalis) Also known as Sweet Clover. One of best nectar producers. Produces a white, mild, slightly spicy honey. Annual.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) Widely acclaimed bee plant, blooming most of the summer. Very easy to naturalize. Honey is amber with a strong mint flavor. Remains liquid for months. Perennial.

Sumac (Rhus glabra) During good years this plant can produce a very large crop of light colored, pleasant honey. Shrub or small tree. Late June or early July.

Thyme (Thymus spp.) The wild thyme (T. serpyllum) is especially notable as a honey plant, but all thymes are good bee plants. Honey is dark to amber with a strong yet delicate herbal flavor. Perennial.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) Good nectar producer from mid-July to mid-August. Grows in wet lowland areas. Honey is dark in color and pleasant flavor. Perennial.

Sedum (Sedum species) Great nectar plant for late summer and fall when little else is blooming.