Page 22 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 2_2024

Today's Child
NATURE

Scabiosa africana Scabiosa culumbaria

Bees are attracted to purple flowers Scadoxus puniceus Arum lily

BLOOMS FOR BEES
If you’re looking to start a hive, BELOW ARE SOME PLANTING -Kei Delosperma (succulent
contribute to one, support South SUGGESTIONS: groundcover)
Africa’s food chain or add to your -Acacia species, particularly Sweet -Delosperma versicolor (succulent
garden’s wildlife, planting blooms -Thorn (tree) groundcover)
for bees is an essential service and -Buchu -Hairy Dew Flower (succulent)
part of the beehive process. After -Aloe species, especially Bitter Aloe -Wild Rosemary (shrub)
all, one in every three mouthfuls of (large succulent) -Blue Honeybell Bush (shrub)
food is due to bee crop pollination.
-Pink Mallow -Trailing Gazania (groundcover)
Research suggests that bees prefer -White Pear (tree) -Tree Fuschia
blue, purple and yellow flowers. -False Olive (tree / large shrub) -Blue Justicia (shrub)
However, there are exceptions such -Sagewood (tree / large shrub) -Feather Touch-Me-Not (shrub)
as orange Aloe flowers and the white -Broad-leaved Bulbine (succulent -Blue Water Lily (water plant)
flowers of the White Pear. Bees also perennial) -September Bells (tree)
tend to favour flowers that stand out -Stalked Bulbine (succulent perennial) -Cape Scabious (perennial
from their surroundings, are planted -River Bushwillow (tree) groundcover)
in blocks of colour, or are available -Forest Bushwillow (tree) -Wild Scabious (perennial groundcover)
in a large group. This means that -Campfire Crassula (succulent -Succulent Bush Senecio (succulent
they can harvest more pollen and perennial) shrub)
nectar without using up too much -Ginger Bush / Misty Plume Bush
energy searching for flowers. It’s -Crassula Morgan’s Beauty (succulent
important that the hard-working perennial) (shrub)
honey bees reserve enough energy -Fairy Crassula (succulent perennial) Arum Lily (bulb)
to get back to the hive. Always have -Red Alder (tree) Buffalo Thorn (tree)
a freshwater source nearby and
plant the following, according to
your region and growing season.
(Ask your local garden centre for to have a bee hotel, which you can them unlikely to be aggressive or sting.
advice on which plants to grow where purchase from your GCA Garden Centre These bees like their own home amongst
and when). or build yourself. These structures home neighbours and are still extremely
the solitary bee – one of 1300 species important and efficient pollinators in
If you would like to home bees in your found in South Africa. They do not our agricultural, natural and urban
backyard, you are legally permitted produce honey or have a queen, making landscapes.

22 DPL issue 2 2024