Bees have four wings, look closely for the two smaller wings hooked under the main wingsIn mid to late summer the blue balls of echinops flowers are a diner for bees and other pollinators Image: Jean VernonIt’s called bee balm for a reason. Monarda didyma is a magnet for bees Image: Jean VernonFabulous bee plant, herb and beautiful garden perennial Image: Jean VernonEchinacea is a great bee plant Image: Jean VernonThe feathery abdomen of the leaf-cutter bee collects pollen Image: Jean VernonThe red tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius is rather fond of chive flowers Image: Jean VernonDozens of flowers in one place make this a vital take-away for bumblebees Image: Jean VernonThis beautiful white tailed bumblebee is a queen, feeding on perennial boragePurple top (verbena bonariensis) blooms all summer and offers clusters of small, nectar rich flowersHerbs are a wonderful plant choice for bees. This thyme is perfect for short tongued bumblebees like the buff tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) Image: Jean VernonSpring flowering bulbs like this grape hyacinth (muscari) provides vital early nectar for this white tailed bumblebee Image: Jean VernonThe winter flowers of oriental borage (Trachystemon orientalis) are a rich nectar source for early emerging queen bees such as this White Tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg) Image: Martin MulchinockIn early spring the soft mauve flowers of Perennial Borage are simply buzzing with bees collecting nectar. Image: Martin MulchinockPollen isn’t always yellow. Look close at the pollen baskets on this honeybee collecting from a verbascum Image: Jean VernonShort tongued like the buff tailed bumblebee bees (Bombus terrestris) are known to steal nectar by chewing holes in the flowers above the nectaries Image: Jean VernonAs the female leaf cutter bee climbs into the sweetpea flower, the sticky stigma swipes over her back and picks up loose pollen Image: Jean VernonBees are known to self-medicate by feeding on medicinal herbs Image: Martin MulchinockDon’t get too close to bees. A leg in the air is not a hello Image: Jean VernonAn early bumblebee Bombus pratorum) male feeds next to a male Forest Cuckoo bee Bombus sylvestris) Image: Jean VernonIn late winter and early spring look out for the buff tailed bumblebee in your garden. This queen is feeding on oriental/perennial borage Image: Jean VernonThe hawthorn mining bee (Andrena chrysosceles) feeding on appleblossom Image: Jean VernonDandelions are essential spring forage for pollinators Image: Jean VernonLook out for Queen bumblebees clambering over undergrowth and zig zag flying above the ground. They are searching for a nesting place Image: Jean VernonFrom April to September you might be lucky to find a cluster of honeybees in your garden Image: Jean VernonLook out for the wool-carder bee on lamb’s ears in July Image: Jean VernonFor late summer forage grow echinacea Image: Jean VernonThe stripey Ivy bee feeds almost exclusively on ivy Image: Liam OldsThe central cone of the echinacea bloom is rich in honey scented nectar Image: Jean VernonLate flowering asters provide forage for bees Image: Jean VernonMale bumblebees often have yellow facial hair Image: Jean VernonThe Shrill Carder Bee has a distinctive pale grey-yellow colouring with a black band of hair between its wings and reddish orange tail, and a charismatic high pitched buzz Image: Claire Fidler/BBCTLet the ivy flower and produce berries, it provides vital food for pollinators and birds Image: Jean VernonMany different species of bees feed from borage flowers. This is a leafcutter bee, a type of solitary bee Image: Jean VernonHoneybees are winter active on sunny winter days and will feed on nectar rich flowers Image: Jean VernonLook out for the buff tailed bumblebee on winter flowers in your garden Image: Jean VernonLook at all these tiny buddleia flowers, all rich in nectar Image: Jean VernonThis bedraggled bee was revived by sugar water presented to it on a leaf. She soaked up the sugar syrup and was soon on her way Image: Jean Vernon
