World Bee Day 2023
Saturday 20th May 2023
This year World Bee day will be celebrated on Saturday 20th May. It was started in 2011 by a group of beekeepers in Slovenia and is now endorsed by the UN - Slovenia is a nation of beekeepers and the decline in bee populations globally made the push for international recognition an important one. Slovenia was one of the first countries globally to prohibit the use of certain pesticides that are harmful to bees.
We are fortunate in Western Australia, our native bee populations are relatively strong in number and our introduced European Honey Bees are plentiful. This is due to strict quarantine rules that restrict the movement and import of live animals that may be carrying harmful viruses and diseases.
We are also fortunate that we get two really good flowering seasons, these are late winter into spring and late summer into winter. During these periods you can do a lot in the garden to encourage pollinators to visit. We have selected a group of plants that you can find in a garden centre or hardware store near you this May to encourage pollinators into your patch this autumn. If you are a wholesale customer these are available directly from the nursery for your next job or project and from most good Garden Centres and Hardware Stores.
Here is a list of plants and some information on each selection.
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'
An oldie but a goodie, these plants are tough. Compact in nature and seasonally interesting, during cooler months the foliage flushes shades of oranges and reds. In Spring delicate pale white flowers appear that are a magnet for bees and birds. A good plant for a pot in the garden and also tolerant of coastal soils. It can be used to create a small to medium sized hedge and doesn’t require a huge amount of attention once established. Best grown in full sun to part shade in improved soil, mulch well and water twice a week during summer.
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'
Correa 'Granny's Grave' - Native Fuchsia
A small shrub best suited to coastal and free draining soils. This plant will only grow 50cm by 50cm and is a magnet for bees. Flowers appear in early Autumn and last right into Winter, native bees and honey eaters are drawn to the bell-shaped flowers. Disease and pest resistant these are a great addition to the low maintenance garden. Avoid fertilising with anything that has high levels of Phosphorus, using a suitable native fertiliser is always a good idea. Plant in full sun to part shade and apply water once or twice a week over summer to keep plants full and healthy.
Correa 'Granny's Grave' - Native Fuchsia
Limonium perezii 'Blue'
An ornamental, tough, evergreen low growing shrub that produces clusters of tiny blue flowers on tall stems. Extremely hardy once established and very long flowering, these plants need water to get established and will then look great on just once a week watering through summer. Bees are drawn to these flowers, your garden will be buzzing if you add a few of these. As an added bonus flower heads can be cut and dried to use in flower arrangements in the home. Plant in full sun to part shade and mulch to help reduce soil temperature and water retention.
Limonium perezii 'Blue'
Bidens 'Campfire'
A ground hugging carpet that holds masses of brightly coloured yellow/red flowers during Spring and Autumn. Butterflies, bees and birds are drawn to the flowers making them a great addition to gardens and pots. Biden need to be well watered through hot weather or they will suffer heat stress. Feed with a liquid feed in Spring and Autumn to promote increased flowering. These plants do best in full sun to part shade, if you plant them in a pot try morning sun in summer and full sun in winter. There are many other bidens available with different flower colours and growth habits, keep an eye out for others in the range.
Bidens 'Campfire'
Erigeron 'Spindrift'
This is a great plant for coastal gardeners who are looking for a softer, cottage look to their garden or design. Although these plants look soft they are in fact very hardy, they will tolerate full sun and minimal watering through summer. Flowering tends to be year round but during Spring and Autumn you will get a flush of flowers which make this plant look like a floral ball. Bees are drawn to these flowers and a lot of other beneficial insects like hover flies and native bees will visit these flowers. Best grown as a mounding ground cover, trim as required and feed twice a year with a slow release fertiliser.
Erigeron 'Spindrift'
Scaevola 'Bondi Blue' - Fan Flower
A compact coastal groundcover with large fleshy leaves and showy blue fan flowers. This is a great plant for verges, areas that require low planting and for pots and hanging baskets. Bees are drawn to the flowers over Winter and Spring along with small native birds and reptiles. A tough plant, drought tolerant once established but looks best with some summer watering. Plant in full sun for best results and feed once a year in Autumn with a slow release fertiliser.
Scaevola 'Bondi Blue'
Gardenia 'True Love'
A beautiful evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. During the warmer months of Autumn stunning double white flowers are held against the glossy leaves. You might not see the flowers at first but you will definitely smell them, the fragrance is heavenly, bees are drawn to the bright white flowers. If you live on clay or gravel these do well in a morning sun position in the garden, if you are on sandy soils these are best planted in full shade or a pot. Frost tolerant and relatively heat tolerant, some protection from summer afternoon sun is recommended. Keep water to the root zone over the hot days of summer and you will be rewarded with the blooms and scents of these incredible plants.
Gardenia 'True Love'
Correa 'Bicheno Bell'
Often referred to as a native fuchsia this plant has stunning pale pink bell-shaped flowers. These are held from late summer right through to winter with spot flowering at other times of the year. Leaves look fury to the eye and are hairy to the touch making this plant interesting not only for its flowers but it’s foliage and sensory appeal. A good plant for pots, coastal gardens and for waterwise gardening that will need very little care or attention once established. Best planted in full sun to part shade in improved soil, mulching is recommended.
Correa 'Bicheno Bell'
Sida fallax 'Butterkin'
A beautiful evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. During the warmer months of Autumn stunning double white flowers are held against the glossy leaves. You might not see the flowers at first but you will definitely smell them, the fragrance is heavenly, bees are drawn to the bright white flowers. If you live on clay or gravel these do well in a morning sun position in the garden, if you are on sandy soils these are best planted in full shade or a pot. Frost tolerant and relatively heat tolerant, some protection from summer afternoon sun is recommended. Keep water to the root zone over the hot days of summer and you will be rewarded with the blooms and scents of these incredible plants.
Sida fallax 'Butterkin'
Brachyscome 'Pacific Reef'
A beautiful evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. During the warmer months of Autumn stunning double white flowers are held against the glossy leaves. You might not see the flowers at first but you will definitely smell them, the fragrance is heavenly, bees are drawn to the bright white flowers. If you live on clay or gravel these do well in a morning sun position in the garden, if you are on sandy soils these are best planted in full shade or a pot. Frost tolerant and relatively heat tolerant, some protection from summer afternoon sun is recommended. Keep water to the root zone over the hot days of summer and you will be rewarded with the blooms and scents of these incredible plants.
Brachyscome 'Pacific Reef'
If you would like any further information on any of the plants listed above please visit our website www.domusnursery.com.au or if you would like to purchase any of these please visit or contact your local Garden Centre or Hardware store. The above plants will be available Autumn/Winter 2023 pending supply and weather conditions.
