Bee-ing friendly - it’s the Wellington Way
The "bee friendly" message is all about caring for our fuzzy flying friends – bees! By planting the right varieties, you’re playing a part in supporting the delicate ecosystems that bees are a part of. It’s also a great way to brighten up your garden and neighbourhood.
Tips and tricks
It’s easy to support bees in your everyday life - here are a few tips that’ll make a big difference.
- Plant large clusters of bee-friendly plants to attract bees and provide nectar.
- Plant flowers for each season to give bees a year-round supply of nectar and pollen.
- Provide pesticide-free water for bees.
- If you spray your garden, make sure you're using a non-toxic product at sunset when bees aren't present. Your local garden centre will be able to help you find a bee friendly option.
Bees love these
Here are some suggestions for bee-friendly plants that you can use in your garden.
Edible plants
- Trees, shrubs and climbers
Including apples, kiwifruit, bay laurel, lavender, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pear, blackberry, rosemary and all stone and pip fruits like peach and plum.
- Herbaceous
Including rosemary, lavender, sage and other salvias, thyme, mint, bee balm, basil, catmint, chives, cucumber, melon, brassicas, pot marigold, sage, squash, pumpkin, sunflower and sweet corn.
Ornamental plants
- Trees, shrubs and climbers
Including Australian gum, bottlebrush, cabbage tree, harakeke and NZ flax, hebe, macrocarpa, lemonwood, NZ jasmine, lacebark, pohutukawa, rata, rewarewa, koromiko, penstemons, veronicas, tulip tree and wisteria.
- Herbaceous
Including balsam, clovers, gorse, false acacia, mimosa, cornflower, hollyhock, michaelmas daisy, phacelia, penstemon, salvia, sweet alyssum, dandelion, dahlias, heleniums, cosmos, echinacea, and zinnia.