Neighborhood Habitat for Bees

The American honey bee provides the keystone of the food chain.  Not only do they pollinate plants which humans eat, they pollinate plants eaten by the animals who supply humans with meat and milk.  According to research by the University of Maryland, there are 40% fewer bees in 2019 than there were in 2018.  How does this relate to Greenleaves?

I recently learned that there are communities where people work together to give honey bees an extended habitat.  Instead of individuals planting flowers in their yards without connection to what grows in their neighbor's yard, the whole community intentionally plants herbs and flowers that will appeal to and help bees survive.  An entire neighborhood can feed a larger population of vitally essential bees.

Planting just a few herbs like lavender, and flowers like butterfly bush, in each yard at Greenleaves will provide nectar not only for honey bees, but other pollinators like humming birds and butterflies.  (Spraying the plants with chemicals negates the point of planting them.)

My sister Nancy and I have already planted lavender, lemon balm and basil, and hydrangea.  Other herbs you might choose include bee balm, borage or thyme.  Some flowers attractive to bees include hibiscus, coneflower, or Black-eyed Susan.

Not only will you brighten your own yard with blooms, sweeten the air with scent and the hum of honey bees, you can also attract the aerial blossoms of humming birds or butterflies.  If each of us plants half a dozen or more herbs and flowers that feed pollinators, we will make Greenleaves an even lovelier place--and our community will contribute to life on our planet.