Central Florida’s subtropical climate creates the ideal growing conditions for flowering plants that satisfy a wide variety of pollinators, especially honeybees!
Honeybees are vital to Orlando’s ecology. However, they’re under constant threat from dangers such as Varroa destructor mites, colony collapse disorder, pesticides, and mysterious hazards that experts have yet to identify. Until the scientists at the Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab in Gainesville, Florida, can figure out how to protect bees and their hives, homeowners must help these important pollinators stay off the endangered species list by growing flora that attracts honeybees.
Grow These Flowers to Draw Honeybees to Your Property
The following flowers are irresistible to honeybees! They’ll also beautify your Central Florida landscape with array of captivating colors.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise hyssop is an edible perennial that belongs to the mint family. It grows two to four feet high and spreads one and a half to three feet wide. The leaves have a sweet smell and taste reminiscent of anise, licorice, and mint. Each lavender blossom is filled with rich nectar honeybees love!
It self-sows and has a vigorous root system, so you’ll only have to plant it once in well-draining soil. If Orlando experiences a colder than normal winter, there’s no need to worry about frost killing it as anise grows wild in the northern regions of North America. It’s also deer and rabbit resistant!
Cannas (Canna spp.)
If you want to give your landscape a tropical look that’ll make honeybees think they’re in Hawaii, look no further than beautiful cannas! These heat-loving perennials are prolific bloomers that’ll attract a variety of pollinators. Just plant cannas in full sun and give them plenty of water, then watch their vibrant blooms attract honeybees from near and far!
Remember to perform a maintenance check on your irrigation system every so often to ensure it’s working properly. If you’re not sure your system is running like it should, call us or complete our request service form and we’ll come take a look.
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnate)
Native to Florida, passion flower is a perennial vine that’s extremely easy to grow. Also known as maypop, it produces gorgeous blooms from summer to early fall. Passion flower is beloved by honeybees and perfect for every Central Florida garden as it resists pests, tolerates drought conditions, and thrives in both full sun and part shade.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Planting purple coneflowers in your Orlando garden is a surefire way of attracting honeybees. If you aren’t partial to purple, you can find coneflowers in a variety of bright colors at your local plant nursery.
Add a Bit of Sweetness to Your Garden with Flowers Honeybees Love!
Every Central Florida homeowner should do their part to help honeybees thrive. However, adding flowering plants that attract them is just one part of the equation. It’s important to avoid using pesticides that contain nicotinoids because they can kill honeybees. Oftentimes, they live long enough to carry this toxin back to their hive, which then devastates the entire colony.
If you’re fascinating by honeybees and want to attract them to your garden year round, check out the pollinator plant list from the University of Florida. It includes other bee favorites such as coral honeysuckle, black-eyed Susan, and oleander.
Remember to keep your Central Florida garden and landscape properly watered. If you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, we’re here to help!