Trees for bees

Many of us are aware that our buzzy friends are on the decline.

Here is a list of some of the very best trees and plants for bees. It is not exhaustive and any additional flowering trees or shrubs that you'd like to introduce to the garden will undoubtedly be of some help to the bee population or other wildlife. The varieties listed are of extra help to bees for differing reasons such as time of flowering, type or size of flower.

Berberis
Try 'Rose Glow', it produces orange flowers in May-July against red/purple foliage

Cotoneater
'cornubia' produces masses of white flowers in June-July which are wonderfully popular with bees

Cytisus
For evergreen cover think about Battandieri, it has upright racemes of yellow pineapple scented flowers that are much loved by bees, butterflies and other insects

Mahonia
'Hivernant' bright yellow, fragrant flowers from November to March

Malus - single flowering varieties

Prunus - single flowering varieties

Salix - catkins provide an early source of pollen and nectar

Others to consider are, ceanothus, eucryphia, lavandula and tilia

For more information about looking out for bees why not join BumblebeeTrust , helpthebees or helpsavebees on twitter