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13 July 2009
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Bee collecting pollen

Plants for bumblebees

Dr Dave Goulson

Many wildflowers have become more scarce in farmland through loss of hedgerows, hay meadows, chalk grassland, and because of pesticide use. As a result, gardens have become a stronghold for some bumblebee species.

What to do

  • Wherever you live in the UK, you should be able to attract at least six bumblebee species to your garden
  • Plant some native species with single flowers to attract bees, like honeysuckle, foxgloves and comfrey.
  • If you don't want to plant wildflowers choose cultivated varieties of native species
  • Make a bumble bee box

  • Read More...

Time needed


1 hour

What you need

  • Native plants

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