Blooming for Bees: A Guide to Bee-Friendly Flower Bulb Varieties in New Zealand

With our diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity, New Zealand is home to various pollinators, with bees playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of its natural environment.

We've got a chance to help out our buzzy buddies – those essential pollinators that keep our gardens thriving. Let's do our part as the green thumbs and caretakers of the land!

One way to support bees is by selecting bee-friendly flower bulb varieties for our gardens. In this guide, we'll explore fantastic bee-friendly bulb options to bring beauty to your outdoor space while providing a haven for our buzzing friends.

1. Scilla: Scillas, commonly known as ‘Blue Bells’ or ‘Wood Hyacinth’, are well known for naturalising in almost any condition. Bluebells are visually striking and attract bees with their sweet fragrance and vibrant colours. Planting bluebells in your garden enhances its aesthetic appeal and supports bee populations during their foraging season. Bluebells are known for naturalising in almost any condition - we have a delightful range of Bluebell Blubs that bees are sure to love.

2. Daffodils: Daffodils are synonymous with spring with their sunny yellow petals. Bees are drawn to their bright colours and sweet fragrance, making them an excellent choice for a bee-friendly garden. Planting a mix of early, mid, and late-blooming daffodil varieties ensures a continuous supply of nectar for bees throughout spring. Kayne's top daffodil pick for the 2024 bulb season is the absolutely stunning Gold Disc Daffodil.

3. Tulips: Tulips are iconic spring flowers and are attractive to bees. Choose a variety of tulips in different colours and shapes to create a visually stunning garden while providing a diverse range of nectar sources for bees. An easy way to have a wide range of colours is to choose from our Tulip mixes - Try our Tulip Rainbow Mix or perhaps our Peony Tulip Mix for a burst of colour.

4. Freesias: Freesias bring fragrance and colour to your garden, making them a favourite among gardeners and bees. These beauties bloom in late winter and early spring, offering an irresistible scent to our buzzing friends. Freesia Super Dooper Mixed is a popular choice for gardeners, providing a stunning selection of single and double-flowering varieties in a range of colours.

5. Hyacinths: Hyacinths, with their vibrant and fragrant blooms, are a surefire way to attract bees to your garden. These flowers, available in various hues, create a stunning visual display while serving as a rich source of nectar for our pollinator pals. Planting different Hyacinth varieties ensures a continuous supply of nectar, keeping your garden buzzing with life. We've got a few brand-new candy-coloured varieties this season 😍White Rosy, Pink Rosy, and Twin Pearl. They look good enough to eat!

6. Crocus: Crocuses are early bloomers that bring a burst of colour to your garden in late winter or early spring. These petite flowers are visually appealing and a vital source of nectar for bees emerging from winter dormancy. Choose a mix of Crocus varieties to ensure a prolonged blooming period, offering a steady supply of nectar for hungry bees. Try out the lovely golden variety Sunkist, the stunning Bi-coloured variety Pickwick or make it easy on yourself and buy a Mixed Crocus.

Making your garden bee-friendly is good for your outdoor vibes and a win-win for those crucial pollinators, too! Pick flower bulbs that bees love, and you're basically throwing a sweet party for these lovable insects!