Bees play a huge part in our ecosystem by transferring pollen from one flower to another, resulting in pollination. This allows plants to produce the crops and therefore, our food. We need to appreciate our bees!

Reasons to Bee Worried

Alarming statistics from the Scottish government show that since 1980 the number of pollinating insects in Scotland has declined by an estimated 51%, leading to fears of a negative impact on agriculture, food security, the economy, and human health. These insects include honeybees, bumble bees, the solitary bee, butterflies, and hover flies.

In fact, 25% of our native bees are now listed as endangered species according to the Scottish Bee Keepers Association. This is due to many reasons including disease, parasites, pesticides, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and a lack of nutrition.

Reports also show that we have lost 97% of our flower-rich meadows across the UK since the 1930s, which is a worrying statistic not only aesthetically, but for the result that this lack of pollen and nectar has on our wildlife.

All is Not Lost

Help is at hand, however, in the form of ‘The Pollinator Strategy for Scotland 2017-2027’, which sets out how Scotland can continue to be a place where pollinators thrive along with recognising actions that are needed to help support and enhance our native pollinator populations. “Fundamentally, pollinators require extensive, well-connected areas in which to forage, nest and overwinter, so measures to safeguard their food and habitats must be carried out at a landscape scale.”

Meanwhile, Nature Scotland has praised the work of local authorities as they continue to introduce pollinator-friendly ways to manage their parks and green spaces as well as creating wildflower meadows, bee banks, and bug houses. Pollinator friendly trees and shrubs are also being planted and roadside verges transformed.

Bee Friendly

Fortunately, there are lots of ways in which we can help in our gardens and allotments. 

It is important to provide a good sequential supply of nectar-rich flowers from early spring to late autumn. Even small gardens can become havens for bees and this starts with choosing bee-friendly plants such as thistles, scabious (Scabiosa), cornflowers (Centaurea), red campion (Silene dioica), and roses – flowers that are easily accessible to bees.

Be sure to include early spring flowers such as crocus, hellebores, heathers, dandelions,Taraxacum officinale, and bluebells.

Plant a wide range of flowering plants including natives such as willow (Salix) and hawthorn (Crataegus), which honeybees particularly like. Apples, cherries, and currants can bring pleasure to both pollinator and grower. Bumblebees have long tongues and can access funnel-shaped flowers like foxgloves, Digitalis, more easily than honeybees.

If you do not have a lot of growing space, bees are also attracted to herbs such as chives, lavender, thyme, rosemary, and sage, which are easy to grow in pots at the back door or on a balcony.

Ivy, Hedera, in late autumn provides not only food in its flowers but is an important shelter habitat, which is another important consideration, as you need to provide places for insects to rest.

If we commit to doing what we can, gardens and allotments across Scotland can be an abundant source of diverse food and habitat for all kinds of bee, without any loss of pleasure to the gardener. In fact, it is guaranteed to give you a buzz!