Plants for Minnesota Bees - NEW LIST - Bee Lab

<strong>Bee</strong><br />

Squad<br />

®<br />

J . G a r dn e<br />

®<br />

<strong>Bee</strong> <strong>Lab</strong><br />

PLANTS FOR<br />

MINNESOTA BEES<br />

<strong><strong>Bee</strong>s</strong> rely on flowers to supply them with the food they need to<br />

survive. Some flowers (e.g. tomatoes) provide only pollen, the<br />

main source of protein <strong>for</strong> bees. Other flowers (e.g. clovers)<br />

provide both nectar and pollen, thus providing both protein and<br />

carbohydrates.<br />

There are hundreds of different bee species in <strong>Minnesota</strong>.<br />

Different types of bees prefer different flowers. Some of these<br />

preferences are due to the physical size or shape of the bees<br />

and the flowers. Some flowers have long tubes with nectar at<br />

the bottom. Long-tongued bees are the only bees able to reach<br />

the nectar. Other preferences are based on nutritional needs.<br />

Some bees are only able to raise their young with pollen from<br />

particular plants. These bees are called “specialists”. Other bees<br />

are “generalists” and will collect pollen from a wide range of<br />

plants.<br />

There are also seasonal differences in the activity of different<br />

bee species. Many bee species <strong>for</strong>age as adults <strong>for</strong> only a<br />

few weeks out of the year, with different species emerging<br />

throughout the spring and summer, into early fall. The rest of the<br />

year, the young are developing in nests that are underground or<br />

in cavities. Each bee was provided with a pollen ball, a mixture<br />

of pollen and nectar, left there by their mother. They will emerge<br />

the following season. Many other bee species, including honey<br />

bees and bumble bees, are present through the entire spring,<br />

summer and early fall.<br />

Agapostemon metallica on Symphyotrichum sp.<br />

Photo by Karl Foord<br />

Apis mellifera on Dalea purpurea<br />

Photo by Heather Holm<br />

Providing a diverse array of plants will help<br />

ensure that you support a diverse array of<br />

bee species. Do your best to provide blooming<br />

flowers from April to September.<br />

www.beelab.umn.edu<br />

Bombus auricomus on Monarda fistulosa<br />

Photo by Karl Foord

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This list is not inclusive of all plants that bees will visit in <strong>Minnesota</strong>. These are flowers that are particularly<br />

attractive to bees and can be easily integrated into most landscapes.<br />

= Tree = Herbaceous plant = Shrub = Full sun = Part-shade = Shade<br />

Early=March to May Mid=June to July Late=August to September<br />

Scientific name Common name Habit Sun Native<br />

Bloom<br />

time<br />

Honey<br />

bees<br />

Crataegus crus-galli Hawthorn X Early X X<br />

Geranium maculatum Wild geranium X Early X<br />

Penstemon grandiflorus Large beardtounge X Early X<br />

Salix discolor Pussy willow X Early X X<br />

Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf coreopsis X Early to Mid X X<br />

Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia waterleaf X Early to Mid X X<br />

Lupinus perennis Wild lupine X Early to Mid X<br />

Aruncus dioecus Goatsbeard X Mid X X<br />

Echinacea angustifolia Purple coneflower X Mid X X<br />

Lobelia siphilitica Blue lobelia X Mid X<br />

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Slender mountain mint X Mid X X<br />

Agastache foeniculum Anise hyssop X Mid to Late X X<br />

Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed X Mid to Late X X<br />

Borago officinalis Borage Mid to Late X X<br />

Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge pea X Mid to Late X X<br />

Cirsium discolor Bicolor thistle X Mid to Late X X<br />

Dalea purpurea Purple prairie clover X Mid to Late X X<br />

Eupatorium maculatum Joe-pye weed X Mid to Late X X<br />

Eupatorium perfoliatum Common boneset X Mid to Late X X<br />

Helianthus spp. Sunflowers X Mid to Late X X<br />

Hylotelephium telephium Autumn joy sedum Mid to Late X X<br />

Impatiens capensis Jewelweed X Mid to Late X X<br />

Liatris aspera Rough blazingstar X Mid to Late X X<br />

Monarda fistulosa <strong>Bee</strong>balm X Mid to Late X X<br />

Nepeta x faassenii Catmint Mid to Late X X<br />

Origanum vulgare Oregano Mid to Late X X<br />

Ratibida pinnata Yellow coneflower X Mid to Late X<br />

Silphium perfoliatum Cup plant X Mid to Late X X<br />

Trifolium hybridum Alsike clover Mid to Late X X<br />

Vernonia fasiculata Ironweed X Mid to Late X X<br />

Veronicastrum virginicum Culver’s root X Mid to Late X<br />

Solidago rigida Stiff goldenrod X Late X X<br />

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Calico aster X Late X X<br />

Content and design by Elaine Evans<br />

Other<br />

bees