How do I attract bees to my garden NZ?

How do I attract bees to my garden NZ?

Top 5 Tips for a Bee Friendly Backyard

1. Plant the right flowers.
2. Use Trees and Shrubs to Help Provide Pollen and Nectar Throughout the Season.
3. Have Shallow Water Available for the Bees.
4. No Pesticides!
5. Provide Nesting Sites for Bees in Your Garden.

What NZ native plants attract bees?

5 Native Bee-Friendly Plants | NZ flora that Bees Love.

• NZ Flax. NZ flax, also called Harakeke, grows a mass of brightly coloured flowers from September through to January and is a smorgasbord of pollen for bees.
• Pohutukawa.
• Rātā
• Native Hebe.
• Mānuka.

What type of bees live in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, honey bees and bumble bees are all introduced (though still important) species. There are three genera of native bees, all of whom are solitary. Solitary bees are often smaller than honey bees, but if you see one in your garden, it means they might be nesting nearby.

What flowers do bees like NZ?

Flowers you can plant to feed the bees and other beneficial insects. Certain families are popular, being a rich source of nutrients. Bees especially love the flowers of brassica, stone and pip fruits and plants from the Asteraceae family such as asters, sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos and dandelions.

What does a bee friendly garden need?

Select plants that flower right through the year. Many native bees need nectar and pollen throughout the year. So choose plants with a long flowering period, or choose a selection of plants that will flower in sequence in each season of the year.

How do you make a bee friendly garden?

How to Plant a Bee-Friendly Garden

1. Choose bee-friendly flowers and trees.
2. Plant flowers that are in bloom at different times of the year.
3. Avoid using pesticides.
4. Avoid plants with lots of petals.
5. Don’t get rid of all the weeds.
6. Make bee hotels.
7. Provide a good source of water for the bees.

How do I attract bees to my garden?

One of the simplest ways to attract bees to visit your garden is by growing flowers rich in pollen and nectar.

1. Grow plants with nectar and pollen.
2. Grow ‘woolly’ plants.
3. Create bee hotels.
4. Make bee nests.
5. Relax on weeding.

How do I make my garden more bee friendly?

Are honey bees native to NZ?

Imported in 1839, honey bees were introduced to pollinate exotic crops and produce honey. New Zealand’s 28 native bee species do pollinate flowers, but do not produce honey. There are at least 224 indigenous plant species honey bees collect nectar or pollen from.

Are bumble bees in New Zealand?

In New Zealand we have four species of bumblebees. According to the NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Bumblebees carry up to 90% of their body weight in food and the level of activity required to fly is so great they are only ever 40 minutes away from starvation.

How do you attract butterflies?

Plant type and color is important – Adult butterflies are attracted to red, yellow, orange, pink and purple blossoms that are flat-topped or clustered and have short flower tubes. Plant good nectar sources in the sun – Your key butterfly nectar source plants should receive full sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

How do you make a bee and butterfly friendly garden?

How To Attract Butterflies And Bees To My Garden?

1. Provide flowers with easily accessible pollen and nectar.
2. Leave out a little pot of water for drinking and bathing.
3. Avoid using pesticides.
4. Arrange plants in groups.
5. Use succession planting for a long flowering period.
6. Think about providing larvae food plants for butterflies.