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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - February 18, 2011
From: Athens, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Plants for bees in GA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
Hi, I'm in Georgia and I am starting beekeeping this spring and I am also hoping to plant a mostly evergreen hedge around my yard to add privacy from neighbors. There are already some well established pine and other trees so the hedge is part to semi shade, to full shade in some places. I would like to plant mostly evergreens, but some deciduous, shrub type plants that are native and will naturalize well, but that will also provide a good source for honeybees all throughout the year. Thank you!ANSWER:
Landscaping for wildlife and polllinators is a great way to "give back" some of the habitat/ecosystem that we have taken with our built environment so we applaud your efforts.
We encourage you to contact your local agricultural extension service and check out this link to the University of Georgia Honey Bee Program. They will be able to give you more locally helpful information about plants and can probably put you in contact with a local organization like our local SMABeeWranglers.
You will find that bees are not particular about where they gather nectar and so you will find many non-native plants on lists you may find by doing an internet search.
Unfortunately, our database cannot sort plants according to their wildlife benefit, but that characteristic is noted on the detailed plant information page. So if you visit the database and do a Combination Search for Georgia, selecting the plant type (shrub) and your conditions (shade and part shade) it will generate lists of plants with links to the detailed page. You can also create separate lists for bloom time (as you know, your bees will be looking for food throughout the growing season).
Here are some plants that are native to Georgia and may be of interest:
Blooms early spring
Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)
Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf witchalder)
(all the hollies are good nectar sources for bees)
Blooms spring/summer
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo bush)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush)
Vaccinium corymbosum (Highbush blueberry)
Blooms mid summer
Aralia spinosa (Devil's walkingstick)
Baccharis halimifolia (Groundseltree)
Clethra alnifolia (Coastal sweet pepperbush)
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Shade-loving plants for birds in New Jersey
March 25, 2013 - What native plants should I add to my property, Zone 6, to feed birds naturally? I have a heavily treed lot, so I'd like names of shade loving perennials. Seed or fruit bearing options would be gre...
view the full question and answer
Color year round, welcome to Austin Texas.
December 04, 2011 - I am new to Austin and want to plant colorful flowers for fall and winter that get a "wow" reaction. I have not seen much at the local nurseries. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!
view the full question and answer
Wildlife Attracting Plants for a Shady Patio
July 03, 2014 - We have a concrete patio that receives 2-3 hours of sunlight a day, so the only plants we will be able to grow will be in container. We are looking for plants that do well in shade, and containers and...
view the full question and answer
Shrubs and small trees for a slope in NY
May 21, 2012 - We are looking for a living wall made of shrubs / small trees - no more than 25' for the top of a steep creek bed. We are looking for the best erosion preventing types.
view the full question and answer
Plants for field mice in habitat restoration in Dallas County, Texas
March 14, 2011 - For grassland and bottomland habitat restoration projects in North Central Texas (Dallas), what native plants would be beneficial as food sources for field mice.
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |