Page 28 - FWG Issue 3 April 2024

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Tetradenia riparia Scabiosa columbaria

Bees are attracted to purple flowers Scadoxus puniceus Arum Lily

their surroundings, are planted in blocks of
colour, or are available in a large group. This Below are some planting suggestions:
means that they can harvest more pollen and Acacia species, particularly Sweet Kei Delosperma (succulent groundcover)
nectar without using up too much energy Thorn (tree) Delosperma versicolor (succulent
searching for flowers. Buchu groundcover)
Aloe species, especially Bitter Aloe Hairy Dew Flower (succulent)
It’s important that the hardworking honey (large succulent) Wild Rosemary (shrub)
bees reserve enough energy to get back to the Pink Mallow Blue Honeybell Bush (shrub)
hive. Always have a freshwater source nearby White Pear (tree) Trailing Gazania (groundcover)
and plant bee-friendly plants, according to False Olive (tree/ large shrub) Tree Fuschia
your region and growing season. (Ask your Sagewood (tree/ large shrub) Blue Justicia (shrub)
local garden centre for advice on which plants Broad-leaved Bulbine (succulent Feather Touch-Me-Not (shrub)
to grow where and when). perennial) Blue Water Lily (water plant)
Stalked Bulbine (succulent perennial) September Bells (tree)
If you would like to home bees in your River Bushwillow (tree) Cape Scabious (perennial groundcover)
backyard, you are legally permitted to have a Forest Bushwillow (tree) Wild Scabious (perennial groundcover)
bee hotel, which you can purchase from your Campfire Crassula (succulent perennial) Succulent Bush Senecio (succulent
local garden centre or build yourself. These Crassula Morgan’s Beauty (succulent shrub)
structures home the solitary bee – one of perennial) Ginger Bush / Misty Plume Bush (shrub)
1,300 species found in South Africa. They do Fairy Crassula (succulent perennial) Arum Lily (bulb)
not produce honey or have a queen, making Red Alder (tree) Buffalo Thorn (tree)
them unlikely to be aggressive or sting.
These bees like their own home amongst
neighbours and are still extremely important
and efficient pollinators in our agricultural,
natural and urban landscapes.

*Text and photos supplied by Life is a Garden

Fourways Gardens • 26 • April 2024