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People are increasingly creating gardens with a purpose and not just beauty. Gardening with bees in mind is extreme- ly important because of the recent issue of colony collapse disorder, and the fears of the lack of pollination for our food crops. First of all, if you haven't heard about colony collapse disorder, it first became noticeable in 2006. For no apparent reason bees were abandoning their hives and just disappearing, and the few that were left behind were disease stricken. To this day, there is no exact explanation to what is going on, but it is still happening. Some scientists estimate we have lost about one-third of the population in the country so far. Scientists believe it is a combination of factors causing the problem. Bees play a critical role in our food supply. Almonds, apples, avocados, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cherries, cucumbers, nut trees, onions, peaches, pears, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, and strawberries, to list a few, need bees for proper pollination. Some of these crops rely solely on bees. As you can see, there's a lot at stake here. So how can we help? What kind of plants should we be plant- ing? Start by mixing in some native plants. The bees that are here are here for a rea- son. Your local bee population is in the area because the native plants of the region are probably a major food source for them. Diversity of plants is also important. Plant diversity ensures that you are cater- ing to more then one type of bee. This also provides them with a pollen source throughout the season. You should also try to have plants blooming continuously. Also, try to offer a variety of flower colors and shapes. Bees are particularly attracted to blue, purple and yellow colors. Different bees are suited to different flower shapes, so offer them some variety. What are some specific plants which we could plant to help out the bees? Fruit trees are obvious choices for trees, but willows, eastern redbud, walnuts and lindens are also great choices. Trees also provide nest- ing and resting sites for the bees. The list of shrubs that bees frequent would include any edible fruit shrub, lilacs, mock oranges, sumacs, chokeberries and even pussy willows. The list of perennial and annual plants is quite large, but the prime ones are those with fluted or daisy-shaped flowers. Ask the experts at your local garden center for specifics. Also herb plants are great nectar and food sources, so make sure to mix these through- out your beds. They are not only beautiful when they flower, but also useable in the kitchen. I love plants that multitask. Besides plants, what else can we offer? They also need a water source. Just like but- terflies, they like shallow pools to drink from. Build some bee houses or provide natural nesting areas for them. Bees love old wood and brush piles. Bees play too important of a role in the pollination of our food sources for us to ignore them. It has been estimated that about one-third of all fruits and vegetables we eat are the result of bees. Are you will- ing to give that up? I don't think so. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horticulturalist for Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia.) MAY 2019 HOME 3 MICHAEL TIMM Gardening for those busy pollinators, the bees Maintain native flowers and water sources for our agriculture Michael Timm These perennial baptisa, or blue indigo, are keeping this bee busy. Blue is among the colors that most successfully attract bees. Michael Timm A variety of shapes draw bees to feed, including pink annual dahlia. By nurturing bees, gardeners do their part in pollinating a wide variety of vegetables and other produce.

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