Gardens of Yesteryear: A Bee’s Best Friend, Modern Gardens Fall Short
Oxford University graduate and renowned conservationist Dave Goulson, author of “A Buzz in the Meadow,” highlights how contemporary gardening trends are detrimental to bumblebees and other vital pollinators.
Modern landscaping practices, characterized by decking, gravel, hardscape, and meticulously manicured lawns, offer little to no support for bees and other wildlife. furthermore, many popular bedding plants, despite their aesthetic appeal, have been bred to lack nectar or pollen. This selective breeding, frequently enough focused on exaggerated colors, shapes, and sizes, can render the flowers inaccessible to bees.
Goulson points to the wild pansy as an example, a favourite of bumblebees, while its cultivated counterparts are largely ignored. Many hybrid varieties are sterile, producing no pollen, and double-flowered plants, with their excess petals, physically prevent bees from reaching the nectar.The vibrant, “instant” displays so favored by gardeners have, in many cases, lost their original purpose of attracting pollinators.
However, a shift towards more wildlife-friendly gardens is achievable. Goulson emphasizes that “There are many flowers which are easy to grow and that are also great for bees.” He advocates for conventional perennials and herbs such as lupines,hollyhocks,scabiosa,lavender,chives,sage,and thyme. The author personally attests to the appeal of oregano and Russian sage for bees. Goulson reassures that “A wildlife-friendly garden does not have to be a chaotic mass of nettles and brambles.”
Even in urban settings, a single container, window box, or small bed featuring a lavender plant or two can attract bumblebees. Goulson recommends plants like comfrey,viper’s bugloss,foxgloves,and columbines to provide sustenance for bees,stressing the importance of supporting a diverse range of wildlife.
Goulson eloquently outlines the interconnectedness of ecosystems: “We need worms to create soil; flies and beetles and fungi to break down dung; ladybirds and hoverflies to eat greenfly [aphids]; bees and butterflies to pollinate plants; plants to provide food, oxygen, fuel and medicines and hold the soil together; and bacteria to help plants fix nitrogen and to help cows digest grass.” He underscores the intricate web of life on Earth, a complexity we are only beginning to comprehend. The act of saving a bumblebee, therefore, may hold significance far beyond what is promptly apparent.
The book is described as an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
JoAnne Skelly is an Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Emerita, at the University of Nevada cooperative Extension. She can be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.
