4 Plants you can grow to help save the bees.

Since 2007 the number of beehives that have been lost, often to CCD, amount to nearly twice the normal rate of loss. By growing certain kind of flowering plants in our homes and gardens we can help bees get the nourishment they need.

LAVENDER

Lavandula, an endemic plant of the Mediterranean.
It is a perennial shrub of the in the mint family, Lamiaceae, it tends to grow in sunny and rocky areas and can exceed a meter in height.
For thousands of years, this plant has been used to elaborate essential oils and infusions as well as cosmetic products.

Care

It needs to receive direct sunlight much of the day and requires a sandy substrate with good drainage, it can endure periods of drought. That is why it is recommended to water it only once a week.
It is convenient to fertilize once a year with slow release fertilizers and prune after flowering to improve the development of the plant.

SAGE

Salvia officinalis (sage, also called garden sage, common sage, or culinary sage) is a perennial plant. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and is popularly known for its gastronomic, ornamental and medicinal use. It is attributed to antiseptic and antibiotic properties.

Care

This plant requires a warm environment, good lighting and neutral and sandy soil that help to promote good drainage and air circulation.
Irrigation should be moderate avoiding flooding

CALENDULA

Calendula officinalis a perennial herbaceous plant in the daisy family Asteraceae, widely used for its therapeutic qualities as a medicinal herb as well as its uses as a coloring agent in textiles food and cosmetics.

Care

Its cultivation requires temperate climates, sandy substrate, with good drainage and exposure to sunlight, the irrigation should be from regular to moderate during the summer and less so during winter.

ROSEMARY

Rosmarinus Officinalis is an aromatic woody, perennial herb, member of the mint family Lamiaceae. Endemic to the Mediterranean region, its main use is gastronomic, but it is also used to create essential oils and infusions or as pest control.

Care

It is a low maintenance plant, since it does not require abundant amounts of water and grows in different kinds of soil, although it prefers sandy and well-drained soils, it needs direct sunlight and fertilizer of slow release once a year.

Growing this plants in your garden will benefit bees by providing a good source of pollen while providing benefits for your garden and human use. Even if you live in an apartment in the city, it is a good idea to grow this plants near windows and patios, to help out urban beekeepers that might live in your neighborhood.