Out of all the bee-friendly plants, an unassuming “weed” is a magnet for pollinators. I recently discovered which plant has all the bees in my garden swarming with excitement. It might just become your new go-to for attracting these buzzing friends!
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The other day, I noticed something remarkable: Bees are OBSESSED with the blossoms of a particular plant!
Balcony Therapy
I have spent quite some time on our balcony over the last few days. It's been my happy place. Summer, sun, pleasant temperatures in the shade ... oh, and the delight of reading thick novels on a sun lounger. Add in some green plants swaying in the breeze, and it’s basically therapy. Green has such a calming effect, don't you think?
And then, there is the humming and buzzing. Our balcony is a buzzing hotspot. Literally. From dawn to dusk, it’s a full-blown insect meeting point here. Bumblebees, honeybees, wasps—fuzzy, hairy, stripey, yellow, and otherwise—they’re all in attendance.
Interestingly enough, they don't line up for our lavender, nasturtium, or cornflowers, which would be the usual bee-friendly suspects. Quite frankly, they turn their cute bumble bee bums on them.
All they want is ...
CATNIP!
For real?!?? Catnip?
Yes. Catnip. For real?!? I couldn’t believe it either.
Out of all the Bee-Friendly Plants ...
... catnip is the winner.
Fun fact: The catnip wasn’t even meant for the bees. It was a gift for our two fur babies, Merlin and Mim, who - despite the "cat" in the name - turned their noses up at it years ago. (Cats!) But, to our surprise, what’s a total flop with said cats, is an irresistible five-star buffet for bees. All the better that other little creatures are benefiting from it. The bees obviously can't resist the delicate, purple, sugar-loaf-shaped blossoms.
By now, they can feast on plenty of catnip. The catnip is thriving! We started with one plant, and now we have two full-grown ones and a flock of baby shoots popping up in every other pot. Really, we didn't have anything to do with it. The catnip seems to enjoy life - and multiplies merrily.
A miracle plant indeed! Gardeners should love them, but I heard some call catnip a weed and fight tooth and nail to get rid of it. Not me. Our balcony is a catnip free-for-all, and honestly, I love that it makes the bees so happy. They deserve this treat.
Catnip for You
Did you know that catnip is such a bee magnet? Maybe you’ve seen it in action already. If not, why not grab a plant, pop it in a sunny spot on your terrace, balcony, or garden, and watch the bees swarm to it like it's the hottest foodie spot around?
Even better, if you’re feeling ambitious (or just curious), plant some seeds yourself! Catnip is super beginner-friendly and practically grows itself. You can find seeds at most garden supply stores—or just order some online.
What other favorite bee-friendly plants do you have? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
With planty of bumblebees and buzzing delights,
Ramona
Psst ... you'll like these 2 Genius Hacks to Save Water and the 40+ Simple Plastic Procuct Alternatives.
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(Image at the beginning of the post by Lukasz Rawa via Unsplash)
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