Saving The Bees

 

A lifetime ago, February 2020 to be exact, Eoin Gibbons and his team of landscapers converted our office garden into an urban bee haven.  Eoin has a B.S.c in Horticulture and he is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to saving the bees. We asked Eoin to share his wisdom about what we can do in our own garden to keep us from cutting our hair or creating a TikTok. 

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Tips for the Novice Gardener:   

Eoin emphasises the importance of recognising that when it comes to gardening - nobody is really starting from scratch. Though you may have thought your grass was overgrowing because you forgot to replace the lawn mower, in fact you were surreptitiously providing your garden the opportunity to flourish. The dandelions and buttercups that have been saved thanks to what might have been considered neglect have instead supplied our endangered bumblebee population with sustenance and nourishment.  

Gardens are not all grass. The real challenge is what plants to choose and where to put them. Eoin recommends opting for open flowers, avoiding their closed or double flower counterparts. Open flowers allow bees easy access to their nectar, as fewer petals will be obstructing their path. If you are not sure what open flowers are (like myself) or just want some inspiration, then check out the wide variety available below.  

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Interestingly, bees are most attracted to purple flowers. Their petals stand out clearer to the bees, making certain flowers more appealing. This being said, Eoin does not advise running out and demanding purple only flowers, variety is important to bees. Shape is another factor that needs to be considered. Bell-shaped flowers are suitable for the bee's long tongue, which they can use to reach into the nectar.

The No-Go Zone

Most plants in Ireland pose no threat to bees but the following will be toxic and should be excluded from your shopping list:

  • Camellia Thea

  • Lime Trees

  • Rhododendrons

Helpful Herbs 

The final steps to become a Garden Whizz is to grow your own herbs. The bees seem to love them as much as we do!

These herbs are easy to source and require little to no maintenance in your garden:  

  • Oregano

  • Thyme

  • Mint   

  • Borage

  • Lavender

  • Hyssop

  • Comfrey

  • Sage

    If you would like to see some examples of Eoin’s work visit: https://constantgardener.ie/

- PD

 
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