Bees love oregano and marjoram (Oreganums), this group of fragrant herbs are irresistible for bees. At a visit to a beautiful historic garden recently, it was interesting to observe which flowers the bees and butterflies were mostly foraging upon.
Is oregano a good pollinator?
Oregano attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
Pollinators of all kinds, including bumblebees, enjoy feeding on the nectar-rich flowers.
What herbs do bees like best?
These 10 common herbs are among some of the best plants in providing bees with valuable nectar and pollen throughout the year.
What do bees like to eat?
- Wild marjoram plant. This aromatic herb produces pinkish-white drifts of nectar-rich flowers.
- Mint.
- Fennel.
- Borage.
- Chives.
- Rosemary.
- Sage.
- Hyssop.
What is the best thing to plant for bees?
Which Flowers Are Best for Bees?
- Annuals have the advantage of blossoming all season long. Bees flock to alyssum, cleome, zinnias, sunflowers, salvia, calendula, and verbena.
- Your culinary herbs such as sage, thyme, borage, lavender, chives, dill, basil, oregano, rosemary, and mint can do double duty.
Which Thyme is best for bees?
You can’t go wrong with ‘Common Thyme’ – Thymus vulgaris. Plant it in your garden border or rockery (or in pots) to provide pollen and nectar for a variety of bee species.
Does oregano attract bees?
Oregano (Origanum)
Many herbs are attractive to bees if you allow them to flower. Oregano is a favorite with honeybees. They will cover the plant and make it impossible to harvest from it, but they’ll move on soon enough when the flowers fade.
Do bumble bees like herbs?
“It is mostly the abundant nectar that brings the bees in,” he said. “Some of the more attractive herbs to bees are thyme, comfrey, borage, oregano, bee’s friend, lemon balm, rosemary, hyssop, sage, lavender and chives.”
What smells do bees hate?
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.
What herbs do not attract bees?
10 plants that repel bees and wasps
- Cucumber. This popular vegetable not only makes a great addition to summer salads, but also keeps bees and wasps away.
- Basil. Basil is another great choice for your garden that doubles as a kitchen resource and a pest repellent.
- Geraniums.
- Wormwood.
- Marigolds.
- Pitcher Plants.
What are bumble bees favorite flower?
urticifolia, a flowering plant in the mint family, was the plant most strongly selected by three of five bumble bee species surveyed. Other commonly selected flowers included thickstem asters and Ryderberg’s penstemon, a flower in the snapdragon family.
Do mint plants keep bees away?
One of the most popular scents that humans love all around the globe, mint, is preferred in foods and cuisines all over the world. However, stinging pests such as bees and wasps do not like it as much, and usually steer clear of it. The overpowering smell of the mint flower really deters these pests.
Does rosemary attract bees?
A Bee Favorite!
Rosemary attracts a variety of bees including mason, bumble, mining, and honey bees. It is great for other pollinators, as well, like nectar-feeding flies and butterflies.
Do bees like cinnamon?
A very popular method of getting rid of bees is through the use of cinnamon. The smell of cinnamon is a deterrent, just like citrus smells are. Therefore, placing cinnamon sticks in a jar or other container close to your hive is very effective.
Do bumble bees like peppermint?
Like many insects, bumble bees don’t like peppermint. One of the best natural remedies for how to get rid of bumble bees uses natural ingredients like peppermint oil to help repel and deter bees safely.
Do bees like basil plants?
Bees love basil, too, and like to collect both pollen and nectar from its blooms. Did we mention that? Let your basil flower and you’ll keep your neighborhood bees happy. Bees love herbs, but you have to make sure there are flowers available for pollen and nectar.
What does oregano deter?
Oregano oil is considered as an excellent antiseptic and insect repellent. It has some active ingredients such as carvacrol, thymol and α-terpinene reported being highly effective in repelling mosquitoes (32, 33).
Does oregano attract wasps?
Fairly regularly the wasps are observed to ‘pee’, and from their behaviour, they love drinking oregano nectar.
Do bumblebees sleep on lavender?
Several species of bumble bees in our bee garden seem to prefer the English lavender. They forage, they mate, and they sleep. The females sleep in their underground nests at night, while the males sleep on the lavender stems. They are a joy to have around–underground and above ground!
Does thyme repel bees?
Often used in cooking, thyme is also known for its ability to repel insects. Not only will this herb help to keep carpenter bees away, it will repel wasps too. Thyme can be planted straight in the ground or in a container.
Does lavender attract bee?
While both bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are attracted to lavender (Lavandula spp.), the plant is more popular among bumblebees.
Do butterflies like oregano flowers?
Two other purple oreganos, Origanum laevigatum ‘Hopley’s’ and ‘Herrenhausen,’ are especially attractive to skippers and whites. A butterfly-pleasing oregano for hedges is Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum,’ with its golden leaves and pink flowers.