Are you looking to attract Australian Native Bees to your garden? Planting flowers is one of the best ways to do this. Native Bees such as stingless bees require three main resources - Nectar, Pollen, and Resin. If possible, try to make sure that you have at least two plants flowering at all times of the year. This ensures that there are ample resources even during periods (such as winter) where there is usually not as many.
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The Best Plants to Plant for Australian Native Bees:
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- Tuckeroo
This attractive plant has a large native range, is hugely popular with all kinds of insect activity, a non-invasive plant, and it is even used by many councils as street trees!
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- Wattle
Wattles flower during winter, when not much else is available, so they provide a valuable source of pollen in times of scarce resources.
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- Roses
Roses look great, smell divine, and even attract many different types of native bees! Stingless bees forage on the flowers, and leaf cutter bees use the leaves to line their nests
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- Gum Trees
These flowers are very attractive to bees such as stingless bees and teddy bear bees
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- Lavender
Solitary bees, such as blue banded bees are known to adore lavender.
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- Salvias
Another type of plant that is super popular with solitary bees!
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- Haeka
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- Palms
Stingless bees absolutely love palm flowers
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- Herbs
Native bees will happily forage on the flowers of many herbs including basil, thyme, rosemary and coriander.
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- āFlax Lillies
These native plants are very popular in urban landscaping and have the added benefit of attracting native bees.
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- Grass Trees
Many people say that these are a favourite for stingless bees
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- Veggies
Let some of your veggies (such as cabbages, lettuces, broccolis, radish, etc) go to flower and the bees will often flock to them!
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- Camellias & Azaleas
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- Nutmeg Bush
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- Dahlias
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- Nasturtiums
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- Ivory Curl
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- Tea Tree
Tea tree flowers are worked by stingless bees and solitary bees at varying times of the year.
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- Grevillea
A popular pollen source for stingless bees :)
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- Lillipillies
Another common native landscaping plant, loved by stingless bees.
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- Bottlebrushes
Bottlebrushes are a popular and attractive native plant for many native bee species.
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- Paper Daisies
A great nectar and pollen source.
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- Tulipwood
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Thanks for reading, I hope this list helps you with finding some plants to attract native bees! Some of these are suggestions commented on a facebook post on our facebook page.
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For a more extensive list of the best plants, and information on how to build solitary bee hotels, check out Valley Bees' information-packed booklet.
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