The Secret Lives of Garden Bees
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By Jean Vernon / January 25 2020
Jean Vernon reveals the secret world of garden pollinators
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Yeo Valley – Bumblebee Safaris 2026
Join Jean Vernon for a Bumblebee Safari at Yeo Valley Organic Gardens in 2026
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New Book – Attracting Garden Pollinators
Signed copies of Jean Vernon’s new book, Attracting Garden Pollinators will be available in April 2022
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Award Winning
In November 2020, Jean Vernon was awarded a very prestigious award from The Garden Media Guild for her writing about bees
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Play bee peek-a-boo
Have a closer look around your garden in spring, and look out for little volcanoes of sandy soil in your borders, raised beds and even on the lawn. These are not ant nests (not that ants are the bad guys), but they are the nests of some of our mining bees. Usually Andrena spp. We…
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Honeywort
Honeywort (Cerinthe major) is rich in nectar, easy to grow from seed and ideal for longer tongued pollinators.
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Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale You might be surprised to find dandelion in my best bee plant list, but these bright, vibrant landing pads are virtual nectar bars for all pollinators in spring. Take a look around the garden in March and April and see what is in flower for our early emerging bees. You are bound to…
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Viper’s Bugloss
If you only grow one thing for your garden pollinators choose Viper’s bugloss. It’s easy to grow from seed, it’s hardy and it’s a native of the UK, plus it replenishes its nectaries regularly making it a magnet for garden pollinators.
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Bee’s wings
The wings of a bumblebee are driven by powerful muscles that facilitate buzz pollination and can also be used to raise temperature. Bees have two pairs of wings
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Wool Carder Bee
The Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum) is an iconic summer garden bee. It’s a solitary bee and will sometimes nest in a garden bee house. If you grow the plant commonly known as lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) spend some time watching the bees that visit. The male wool carder bee is very territorial. He knows…
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