1. The common or garden Dandelion!
Taraxacum officinale occurs in most areas in South Africa. Bees thrive on the copious nectar and pollen from this abundant edible plant. Dandelion adds nitrogen & minerals to the soil

3. Bees collecting pollen from Aloe Ferox flowers. These plants flower prolifically in late Summer and are an abundant source of pollen & nectar.

Photo by Elle Muir

5. A bee busy collecting from a European sunflower. A fantastic source of materials for building healthy hives.

6. Flowering trees are often buzzing with hundreds of bees in spring.

7. Although not native to SA, Flowering Gums offer food even in dry years.

8. Even common flowering garden plants like Snapdragons, Foxgloves and African Daisies provide popular collection sites for bees.

9. Proliferic flowering plants such Chamomiles, Daisies, Flax, Mustard offer good sources of both nectar and pollen.

10. long lasting Zinnias, Marigolds, Golden showers offer food sources for an extended period.

11. Everyone's favourite Sweet Peas are a welcome flower for bees.

12. Prolific flowering vines like Whisteria and Golden shower create very welcome food sources for bees. These vines contribute to honey production.

13. Echinacea, is one of the most popular herbs worldwide, and bees love them. Today, it’s best known as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for the common cold or flu. However, it’s also used to treat pain, inflammation, migraines and other health issues.

14. Although not native to SA, Flowering Gums offer food even in dry years, and enhance production in other years.

15. Hibiscus have become a common plant in the Eastern Coastal regions. They produce abundant pollen and enhance production for feeding young bees!

16.Bougainvillea is an evergreen shrub with little trumpet-shaped flowers which grow in clusters of three and come with three pretty bright papery bracts, most often magenta or purple.