The UK bee population, and in fact the population of bees around the world,
appear to be in decline. The majority of gardeners are aware of this, some of
the factors that have affected this include loss of their natural environment,
herbicides and pesticides destroying their natural foods, and the bees themselves.
Thankfully, many gardens are becoming a place where bees can find a degree of
refuge, particularly bumblebees, many are able to find a place to nest and the right
kind of nourishment.
However, the dissappearing chalky grasslands, meadows that they are reliant upon,
are not replaced by our gardens.
Part of the issue for bees is that their preferred plants are often what we would call weeds.
"Pest" plants like dead nettle, clover, thistles, lavender and comfrey.
Some of the best sources for nectar and pollen for bees are wild flowers, however some
ornamentals are equally beneficial.
In the winter of 2008, one out of three hives in the UK was lost, and beekeepers are not sure why.
Lack of wildflowers, and the varroa mite which arrived in the UK in 1992 have been causes of
the decline, but it is hoped that the native black honeybee will be a hardy enough species
to halt the population decrease.
Some plants that bees favour are: Clover, Borage, Chives, Catmint, rosemary, lavender,
poppy, birds-foot trefoil, foxglove and thistles and cornflour.
You might try some annual plants rich in pollen in your N6 or N8 North London garden.
Photo credit: http://freestockphotos.com/
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