Celebrating the Magic of Bees: How to Support Our Essential Pollinators Year-Round
Welcome!
Bees are not just a pleasant sound in summer gardens — they are vital to our very survival. Without them, much of our food supply and plant diversity would vanish. Globally, over 20,000 species of bees play a pivotal role in pollinating plants, with around 270 species in the UK alone. These range from the familiar honeybee to a variety of wild, solitary species — each with their own unique habits and ecological roles.
Today, we’ll explore the fascinating world of bees, spotlight five key UK species, and give practical, easy-to-follow ways you can help them thrive in your garden, balcony, or local green space. We’ll also take a look at their spiritual symbolism, which has inspired humans for thousands of years.
Top 5 UK Bees and How They Help Us
1. Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Characteristics: Medium-sized with orange-brown, fuzzy bodies and black bands.
Role: Famous for producing honey, but more importantly, they are prolific pollinators for fruit trees, vegetables, and wildflowers.
2. Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Characteristics: Large, fuzzy, with vibrant yellow and black stripes, sometimes with an orange band.
Role: Vital pollinators that work in cooler temperatures and lower light, making them essential in spring and autumn when other bees are less active.
3. Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)
Characteristics: Smaller than honeybees, with black bodies covered in dense red or brown hairs.
Role: Exceptional at pollinating fruit crops like apples, cherries, and plums — far more efficient per bee than honeybees.
4. Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria)
Characteristics: Striking grey-black bodies with white hair bands.
Role: Early spring pollinators, vital for fruit trees and early-blooming plants. They nest in small tunnels in the ground.
5. Leafcutter Bee (Megachile centuncularis)
Characteristics: Medium-sized with distinctive behaviour — cutting neat circles of leaves to build nests.
Role: Excellent pollinators for herbs like lavender and wildflowers.
Practical Ways to Help Bees
1. Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
Bees need nectar and pollen from early spring through late autumn. Plant flowers that bloom at different times to provide a steady food source.
Spring bloomers: Crocus, bluebell, hellebore, lungwort, willow.
Summer bloomers: Lavender, foxglove, catmint, borage, sunflower.
Autumn bloomers: Sedum, ivy, asters, echinacea.
When possible, choose native species as they’re better suited to local bee species. Avoid overly bred, double-flower varieties that may produce little or no nectar.
2. Avoid Harmful Pesticides — Use These Alternatives Instead
Chemical pesticides and herbicides can poison bees, disrupt their navigation, and damage their immune systems.
Bee-safe alternatives include:
Neem oil spray for controlling aphids and mites.
Garlic spray to deter pests without harming pollinators.
Companion planting — marigolds deter whitefly, basil deters flies and mosquitoes, chives deter aphids.
Hand-picking pests or using a strong jet of water for aphids instead of chemical sprays.
If you must use any spray, apply it early in the morning or at dusk when bees are less active.
3. Create Habitats
Give bees safe spaces to rest and nest.
Leave a patch of your garden wild with long grass and wildflowers.
Install a bee hotel with small tubes for solitary bees like red mason bees.
Provide patches of bare, undisturbed soil for mining bees.
4. Provide a Safe Water Source
Bees need water for cooling their hives and diluting honey for feeding larvae.
Use a shallow dish filled with clean water and pebbles or marbles for bees to land on without drowning.
Change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
5. Rescue a Tired Bee
If you see a sluggish bee resting on the ground:
Mix two tablespoons of white sugar with one tablespoon of water and place it on a teaspoon near the bee’s head.
Do not use honey, as it can contain pathogens harmful to bees.
The Spiritual Significance of Bees
Bees appear in myths, folklore, and spiritual traditions worldwide. They symbolise:
Community and cooperation — each bee works for the good of the hive.
Productivity and diligence — encouraging us to focus on our goals.
Connection to the divine — in ancient Greece, bees were linked to the soul and priestesses of the goddess Demeter were called “Melissae” (meaning “bees”).
Awareness of unseen truths — bees can see ultraviolet light, representing insight beyond the ordinary.
Bumblebee Jasper: The Crystal Connection
Named for its vivid yellow, orange, and black bands, Bumblebee Jasper carries the symbolic energy of bees — vitality, creativity, and determination. Working with this stone can help you:
Find motivation during low-energy phases.
Encourage positive action and productivity.
Maintain a joyful, curious outlook.
Why Bees Matter All Year
Bees are essential to maintaining biodiversity and ensuring our food supply. Even small changes in our gardens or balconies can make a big difference to their survival. By planting diverse flowers, avoiding harmful chemicals, and providing safe habitats, we actively help pollinator populations recover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bees and Bee Conservation
Q: Why are bees so important to humans and the planet?
A: Bees are essential pollinators, responsible for fertilising around 75% of the world’s flowering plants, including many of our fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Without them, food supplies would shrink dramatically, biodiversity would decline, and ecosystems would destabilise.
Q: Are all pesticides harmful to bees?
A: Many synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides can harm or kill bees directly or indirectly. While not all pest-control methods are harmful, it’s safest to choose organic or natural alternatives such as neem oil, garlic spray, companion planting, or hand-removal of pests.
Q: How can I make my garden bee-friendly if I only have a small space?
A: Even a balcony can support bees! Use containers with nectar-rich flowers, avoid pesticides, and add a bee bath. You could also hang a small bee hotel to support solitary species.
Q: What should I do if I find a tired or motionless bee?
A: Offer a sugar-water solution (two parts white sugar to one part water) on a spoon placed near the bee. Let the bee drink and rest before it flies away. Avoid giving honey, as it can carry diseases harmful to bees.
Q: Do bees really have spiritual meaning?
A: Yes. Across many cultures, bees symbolise community, productivity, perseverance, and divine wisdom. Spiritually, they can inspire us to work harmoniously with others and see the deeper connections in life.
Your Turn
What bee-friendly changes have you made in your space? Have you tried making your own bee bath or planting native wildflowers? Share your ideas in the comments so we can build a shared knowledge base for supporting bees.
Wishing you a bee-autiful day,
Eryn xx