Lesson 1
Seasonal Planting Architecture
Plan your garden layout to ensure continuous blooming and nectar availability from spring through late autumn.
Sequence Your Blooms
Aim for three distinct nectar cycles. Early spring requires crocus or primrose for emerging queens. Summer demands high-impact plants like lavender or salvia. Late autumn relies on sedum or aster to sustain pollinators before winter.
Plant Selection
Prioritise single-flowered varieties; double-flowered types often hide nectar behind dense petals. Group plants in drifts of three or five rather than scattering single plants. This allows bees to forage efficiently without wasting energy.
The Practical Shift
Instead of formal beds, dedicate 20% of your space to native wildflower patches. Treat your herbs as ornamentals by leaving rosemary and borage to bolt and flower fully. If you have limited space, container-grown native species work just as well as in-ground beds. Remember: a messy edge is a functional edge. Keep a small corner untidy to provide essential nesting sites for solitary bee species throughout the year.