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Designing a season-long bloom schedule for bees involves selecting a range of plants that provide continuous flowers and nectar from early spring through late fall. This approach ensures bees always have access to food across the active months.[1][2][3]
Designing a Season-Long Bloom Schedule for Bees
- Choose 3 to 5 flowering species for each season (spring, summer, fall) to guarantee overlap between bloom periods.[4][1]
- Select both perennial and annual plants, including native wildflowers, herbs, and flowering shrubs for greater diversity.[5][6]
- Use bloom charts or calendars tailored to your region to guide plant selection and timing.[7][8]
Example: Seasonal Bloom Plant Choices
| Season | Early Blooms | Mid/Late-Season Blooms | Late Blooms |
| Spring | Crocus, snowdrops, hyacinth, primrose, borage | Cornflower, lupine, phlox, catmint | Bee balm, penstemon, allium |
| Summer | Lavender, black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, sunflowers | Horsemint, Joe Pye weed, mint, oregano | Blanketflower, cosmos, clover |
| Fall | Sedum (Autumn Joy), asters, goldenrod, New England aster, sunflowers | Stonecrop, autumn sage |
- Early spring bulbs like crocus and snowdrops feed bees coming out of winter.[2][9]
- Summer perennials, including coneflowers and Joe Pye weed, offer sustained nectar.[10][5]
- Fall plants such as sedum and asters feed bees as they prepare for winter dormancy.[11][12]
Tips for Garden Planning
- Group the same plant species together in patches for easier foraging and better visual impact.[3][1]
- Add trees and shrubs with distinct bloom times to increase bloom variety.[9]
- Observe local wildflower timing and adapt your choices to mirror naturally staggered blooms.[13][3]
Applying these strategies, a garden can provide a reliable bee buffet throughout the growing season, supporting both honey bees and wild bees effectively.[1][2][3]
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- https://cornerpollinatorgarden.net/bloom-time/
- https://www.perfectbee.com/a-new-beekeepers-journal/gardening-for-beekeepers-flowers-honeybees-love
- https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden
- https://wildpollinators-pollinisateurssauvages.ca/2024/06/06/beginner-pollinator-garden-the-3-x-3-x-3-system/
- https://bbbarns.com/garden-blog/pollinator-garden-plan/
- https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9363-native-plant-picks-bees
- https://whitneyanderick.com/year-round-blooming-flowers-chart/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/1gra1ll/website_for_making_a_bloom_calendar/
- https://www.beverlybees.com/planting-bee-garden/
- https://gardenbetty.com/foolproof-five-the-best-plants-to-grow-for-bees/
- https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/top-ten-lists/10-perennials-pollinators
- https://littlebeeofct.com/blogs/blog/pollinator-friendly-garden-spring-to-fall-edit
- https://thebeesupply.com/blogs/beekeepers-blog/a-year-full-of-blooms
- https://www.gardeners.com/blogs/garden-planning-design-articles/pollinator-garden-design-for-bees-9144
- https://blog.awildgarden.com/2020/11/22/the-long-blooming-garden-a-planning-tool-for-pollinator-gardens/
- https://extension.psu.edu/honey-bee-management-throughout-the-seasons/
- https://www.bloomingsecrets.com/blog/here-are-the-best-flowers-for-bees-in-the-garden
- https://www.plantnovanatives.org/bloom-time-table
- https://www.monrovia.com/be-inspired/10-early-blooming-cold-hardy-beauties-pollinators-love.html
- https://heavenlyhoneycompany.com/10-bee-friendly-flowers-for-your-garden/
