The BC SPCA is encouraging gardeners to plant bee-friendly plants and flowers in their backyards and flower boxes this month. This will not only make their gardens flourish, but also help combat a growing global concern – diminishing bee colonies.
Bees are responsible for pollinating 30 per cent of the world’s crops and 90 per cent of our wild flowers, bringing everything from broccoli to blueberries to almonds to our tables.
“In addition to fruits and vegetables, bees also love various herbs like basil, oregano and thyme, all perfect for the burgeoning home chef and even for those with limited green space,” says BC SPCA general manager of community relations, Lorie Chortyk.
Flowers that draw bees include honeysuckle, sunflowers and black-eyed susans. Even the less industrious gardener can help make a difference by leaving dandelions, milkweed and goldenrod for bees to feed.
Bees have excellent colour vision. So planting a vivid array of native and heirloom plants and flowers is the perfect way to brighten your outdoor space and attract these busy pollinators.
Planting bee-friendly plants and flowers is just one of the BC SPCA’s suggested acts of kindness featured in the year-long Million Acts of Kindness campaign. It invites all animal lovers to join together to carry out a million acts of kindness for companion, farm and wild animals in 2015. See millionacts.ca for more information.
