Severe Winter Hits Honey Bee Population Hard: Plants to Help Honey Bees

Last month a guest on NPR discussed the severe drop in the Honey Bee population over this winter due to the severe weather.  Record low temperatures and high snowfall in the midwest along with reduced food sources resulted in bees starving and freezing. 

This year's decline, combined with a yearly decrease in the honey bee population of approximately 30%  for the past decade could have a devastating economic affect on the Midwest.  There are multiple contributers to the bee problems Michigan is facing, among which are: seasonal food shortages, Colony Collapse Disorder, changes in weather patterns, and improper use of insecticides.

Because Michigan is among the top five states for commercial beekeeping operations and the state relies on bees to pollinate 50% of its crops, this should concern everyone.  Bee pollinated crops account for over over $1 billion in sales in Michigan alone, in addition to the $7.4 million in honey production in 2009 (http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/using_honey_bees_for_fruit_pollination).  This issue is of both financial and ecological concern to everyone living in Michigan, the Midwest, and anyone relying on crops produced here.

Among the crops pollinated by honey bees in the Grand Rapids, MI area are blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin, asparagus, alfalfa, apples, onions.... MSU publication Using honey bees for fruit pollination identifies seventeen crops pollinated by these insects.

In order to bolster the honey bee population, landscape designs should include plants that help tide bees over during the crop "off season".  The following is a list of trees, shrubs, and perennials that can be purchased in Grand Rapids, MI, and grown in your home landscape to encourage establishment and survival of honey bee colonies in your area.  Included are approximate dates during which honey bees forage these plants (information derived from numerous sources including: http://www.ginlc.org/education/bee_friendly_plants.htm and http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/honey-plants.html and http://saginawbees.org/honeyplants.html and http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder).
 

Trees Attractive to Honey Bees

Acer rubrum 'Autumn Blaze' (Red Maple): March-April

Salix melanostachys (Pussywillow): March - April

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Redbud): April

Prunus 'Snofozam' (Snow Fountain Cherry): April

Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' (Sumac): April-May

Malus 'Prairifire' (Apple): Late April - Late May

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree): May-June

Tilia americana (Linden/Basswood): June

Garden Perennials Attractive to Honey Bees

Crocus: March-April

Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox): April-May

Alyssum saxatile ‘Compactum’ (Perennial Alyssum): April-May

Aubrieta x cultorum ‘White Wall Gem’(Rock Cress): Late April-May

Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket': late April to Late May

Nepta x faassenii ‘Walker's Low’ (Cat Mint): April-September

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap' (Shasta Daisy):

Allium 'Globemaster': May through June

Lychnis viscaria ‘Firebird’ (Catchfly): May-June

Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm): May-June

Trifolium (Clover): Late May-Late June

Thymus serpyllum ‘Magic Carpet’ (Mother of Thyme): May-August

Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’ (Sage): May-August

Lavandula angustifolia (Lavander): June-August

Lupinus 'Gallery' (Dwarf Lupine): June-August

Malva sylvestris ‘Zebrina’ (Malva): June-August

Gaillardia aristata ‘Burgundy’ (Gaillardia): June-September

Echinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite' (Purple Coneflower): June-October

Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet' (Bee Balm): July-August

Allium senexcens subsp montanum Mountain Garlic: July-August

Achillea millefolium 'Moonshine' (Yarrow): July-September

Agastache foeniculum (Anise – Hyssop): Early July-Mid September

Eupatorium pupureum ‘Joe Pye Weed’: July-September

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Goldsturm’ (Black Eye Susan): July-October

Pervoskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire' (Russian Sage): August-September

Echinops ritro (Blue Globe Thistle): July-August

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Stone Crop): August-October

Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' (Robust Windflower): Sept-Oct

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' (Aromatic Aster): Early September-October

 

 

Annuals Attractive to Honey Bees

Snap Dragon
Nasturtium

 

Natives Attractive to Honey Bees

Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders): April-July

Physocarpus opulifolius (Common Ninebark): May-July

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root): May-August

Monarda punctata (Horsemint/Spotted Beebalm): June-July

Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower): June-August

Allium cernuum (Nodding Wild Onion): June-August
Spiraea alba (Meadowsweet): June-August
Vernonia missurica (Missouri ironweed): July-August
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed): July-August

Scrophularia marilandica (Late Figwort): July-September

Cacalia atriplicifolia (Pale Indian plantain): July-August

Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant): July-September

Agastache nepetoides (Yellow Giant Hyssop): July-September
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset): July-September
Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Lobelia): July-September
Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved Sunflower): July-September
Aster novae-angliae (New England aster): August-September
Solidago riddellii (Riddell's goldenrod): September-October
Aster laevis (Smooth Aster): September-October

Sambucus canadensis (American elder): June-July

Prunus spp. (Wild Cherry): March

Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokecherry): May

Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood): May-June

Pictures of these plants will be added as they are taken. All pictures are originals by Brent Langley.

If you are interested in adding some of these plants to your landscape or garden, and would like some help with design and/or procurement,  feel free to call Brent Langley at (616) 328-3258.