Blue for Bees

There was a time when many gardeners seemed to lust after a “blue garden”.  Why the appeal?  Perhaps because the number of “true blue” flowers not verging on purple is rather limited – and rarity always enhances the desirability of a thing.  Or maybe because a blue garden has that je ne sais quoi that comes across as mystical and mysterious, Whatever the reason, rarely do you find a garden that boasts gorgeous blue blossoms that also appeal to pollinators.  Which is a shame, really, because there is a reasonable roster of bee-friendly blue flowers that will have your garden buzzing from spring to fall.  And that’s without defaulting to the usual purple suspects like catmint and lavender.

Here are 16 blue-tiful plants to create a little buzz in your garden from spring through autumn.  And remember: if you want honey bees, you’ll need to plant lots of these.  Honey bees are flower-faithful for several days.  Like winged efficiency experts, they seek out abundant, one-stop foraging opportunities.  Bumble bees are promiscuous foragers, flitting from one nectar- or pollen-rich flower to another.  Other native bees are flower specialists like honey bees.  The main thing: don’t skimp – be generous.  You’re planting a buffet.

Blue Bee Flowers

 Here is the key:

  1. Scilla siberica – Siberian squill – spring bulb (fabulous blue pollen!)
  2. Muscari armeniacum – Grape hyacinth – spring bulb
  3. Pulmonaria longifolia – Lungwort – perennial
  4. Myosotis sylvatica – Forget-me-not – biennial
  5. Lupinus perennis – Wild blue lupine – perennial
  6. Anchusa azurea ‘Dropmore’ – Italian bugloss – perennial
  7. Echium vulgare – Blue bugloss – biennial
  8. Veronica spicata ‘Darwin’s Blue’ – Spike speedwell – perennial
  9. Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’ – Globe thistle – perennial
  10. Eryngium planum – Sea holly – perennial
  11. Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ – anise sage – annual (bees nectar-rob it)
  12. Nigella damascena – Love-in-a-mist – annual  
  13. Borago officinalis – Borage – annual
  14. Centaurea cyanus – Cornflower – annual
  15. Perovskia atriplicifolia – Russian sage – perennial
  16. Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Summer Sorbet’ – blue mist bush – shrub (all caryopteris selections are fabulous bee plants)

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