Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Monday - April 20, 2015

From: Carthage, MO
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Pollinators, Wildflowers
Title: Bees and Bulbs
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

Are any of the Non-Native bulbs beneficial to bees of any kind? My Dutch hyacinths, and daffodils are so prolific; they are both single, but I can't find any information about them as sources of nectar or pollen only that "bees seem to like" or "I saw lots of bees around XXX." I have been trying to use both your databases, and the MOBOT Plant Finder to sort out good plants for both native and non-native bees; bird, hummer, and butterfly info is easier to find.

ANSWER:

There are a lot of articles online that extol the virtues of planting spring flowering bulbs in order to encourage bees.

Here are some that perhaps will give you some more information about which bulbs are the most beneficial for bees.

The British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA) and JUB Holland have partnered to create a special mixture of flower bulbs to help bees.

Winter pollen for bees: snowdrops, crocus, and squill.

A Honey Bee Menu for Pollen and Nectar.