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How to choose garden plants for someone who's Allergic to Bees.
Posted By: ethernum;
Category: Health;
November 3, 2008
Author ethernum;
While most garden lovers are thrilled to see happy bees buzzing between their flowers, some people find bees terrifying. That could be you, your child, or your grandchild and about 2% of the population that has such a severe allergy to bees that one single sting could be fatal. The good news is bees are not attracted to every plant or flower. With a little planning and caution, you can enjoy the benefits of having your own garden.
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When working in your garden, wear neutral colored full length clothing. Pants and a light weight long-sleeved shirt would be ideal in a khaki color. Never wear perfume, fragrant lotions, flower prints on your clothes, or bright colors. Keep food and drinks inside of your house. Bees like to fly inside of things and yellow jackets are especially attracted to food. Take frequent breaks inside of your house when you want to snack or sip a beverage. One other tip is to work in your garden when the bees are still sleeping. In the evening or in the early morning.
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Start with foliage plants: Most plants flower for reproduction, but some plants flower very little and are grown primarily for foliage. Conifers! You don’t have to plant 75 foot trees or junipers anymore. Conifers come in all kinds of colors from gold, green, blue, and variegated. With all shapes and sizes. A cool “Whipcord” Thuja that grows 3 foot by 3 foot and looks like a mop of dreadlocks can be an amazing focal point. Ferns and mosses spread by spore. Ginger is actually pollinated by slugs! Elephant ears and Caladiums grow giant tubers and beautiful leaves. Then there’s Hosta and Heuchera which do produce flowers, but those flowers can be cut away long before they bloom so you can enjoy the well behaved clumps of colorful foliage.
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Wind pollinated plants: This mostly prehistoric group grew and used the wind for it's pollination before bees even existed. You can find some fancy flowers in this group that bees buzz right on by. This group includes many large trees like Maples, Oakes, Birches, and Elms. You can also select from the hip-and-trendy ornamental grasses. This group has evergreens in every color, from one foot tall to 12 feet tall. Bee Free.
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Flowers that bees just don't like: Yup, there are some flowers that bees avoid and some flowers that bees can't reach for pollinating. The long tubular flowers loved by hummingbirds and butterflies are often ignored by bees because they can’t reach the pollen. Bees also tend to avoid red. They love blue! They really like yellow, orange, white, and purple. It’s the color red that just doesn’t swizzle their stinger. Bees also tend to be attracted to fragrant flowers. The more fragrant the better for the bees. Roses! Yes, you can grow them, but look for the less fragrant varieties and the redder the better. A list of other flower that fit this category: Crysathamum, Dahlia, Geranium, Butterfly Bush, Dianthus (Carnations), Honeysuckle, Canna, Marigolds, red Zinnias, Strawflower, Trumpet Vine, Cardinal Flower, Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet), Fuchsia, and Crocosmia. One other flower is Feverfew. It’s an herb that looks like a little daisy and bees can’t stand the smell of it. This one is often puréed and sprayed around as an organic bee repellent.
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Let's throw in a vegetable garden while we're at it: Wind pollinated corn. Root vegetables that don't need bees like: beets, carrots, and radishes. Then the leafy group: Lettuce, greens, chard, kale, cabbage, and spinach. Just don't let the leafy's bolt or go to flower.
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