The more wildflowers you plant, the more bees you’ll attract, and the better your garden will grow. Planting wildflowers is beneficial in more ways than one! Aim to plant a great diversity of flowers with a range of shapes and textures, not just one or two types. The more diverse your garden is, the better it will support different bee species as well as other beneficial insects and wildlife.

Asters Calliopsis Clover Cosmos Crocuses Dahlias Foxglove Geraniums Hollyhocks Hyacinth Marigolds Poppies Roses Snowdrops Sunflowers Zinnias

Blackberries Cantaloupe Cucumbers Gourds Cherry trees Peppers Pumpkins Squash Strawberries Watermelons

Bee Balm Borage Catnip Coriander/Cilantro Fennel Lavender Mints Rosemary Sage Thyme

Allow for some open, meadow-like spaces in your yard and garden. Leave an area un-mowed and let wild clover grow. If you don’t have clover in your yard, scatter some white clover seed over the area in the fall. Leave a small brush pile and some leaves lying where they fell. Bees will use them to make a home. Leave patches of exposed dirt that turn to mud when it rains. Some bees live underground and will thank you for access to the mud they need.

Take a small wooden box and paint it a bright color, preferably white, yellow, bright blue or purple. Use organic paint so the bees won’t get sick. [3] X Research source Layer the box with nesting tubes, standing them upright. You can buy them from a garden store or make your own by rolling brown craft paper around a pencil, pinching off the end and holding it together with tape, leaving the ends open. [4] X Research source Fill the box to the top with these tubes standing upright, so that the exposed holes are open for the bees to climb in. Turn the box on its side. Be sure you’ve used enough tubes so that they don’t slip out when you move the box. Hang from a tree or a post at eye level in an area sheltered from rain. Dig up an area of the ground nearby to expose dirt and clay the bees can use to build their nest. [5] X Research source

Integrated pest management combines many different methods of pest control to reduce the need to use pesticides. Research integrated pest management methods to find the right system for your yard.

American Basswood Southern Magnolia Sourwood Redbud Crabapple Locust Serviceberry Tulip Trees