PLAN
BEE
NOW IS THE TIME.
‘IF THE BEE DISAPPEARED OFF THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE, THEN MAN WOULD HAVE ONLY FOUR YEARS OF LIFE LEFT. NO MORE BEES, NO MORE POLLINATION, NO MORE PLANTS, NO MORE ANIMALS, NO MORE MAN.’ ALBERT EINSTEIN
INTRODUCTION. IN A PERFECT WORLD WE WOULD HAVE PLAN A, BUT THE LACK WILDFLOWERS AND PLANTS FOR BRITAIN’S BEE POPULATION TO POLLINATE MEANS THE TIME HAS COME FOR PLAN BEE. PLAN BEE IS THE PERFECT, BENEFICIAL, EASY SOLUTION THAT ALLOWS EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED, NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OR SIZE OF GARDEN YOU HAVE. SIMPLY BY PLANTING THE RIGHT TYPES OF WILDFLOWERS AND PLANTS AT THE RIGHT TIMES OF YEAR WE CAN HELP SOLVE PLAN BEE. Over the last 50 years declines have been noted in many groups of British insects, including the insects that visit and pollinate plants and flowers. Such as some common butterflies, moths, hover flies and most importantly bees.
Unfortunately, due to a more rapid decrease in the population of bees the time has now come for us to stop talking about it and act. Losing Britain’s bee species is a serious problem, with drastic implications for all of our futures.
BEES ARE ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE SPECIES ON OUR PLANET, THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERESTIMATES IN IMPORTANCE, AND THEY ARE DYING OUT.
IT IS TIME FOR PLAN BEE.
In recent years there has been a lot of scope in the media about the negative effects that the loss of bees could potentially have for us and the domino effect that this will cause.
WHY ARE BEES SO IMPORTANT? MANY PEOPLE THINK OF BEES, SIMPLY AS A HONEY PRODUCING SUMMERTIME NUISANCE. In actual fact it is these small, hard working, little insects make it possible for at least one third of our favourite foods to reach our tables every day. If the population of bees continues to decline at the rate it currently is, and the species suffers a catastrophic population collapse, (which is starting to look more and more likely) worldwide food shortages would quickly follow, as plant and crop species would instantly be effected. MANY HUMAN FOOD CROPS WOULD BE AMONG THE PLANT SPECIES EFFECTED. More than ninety British common crops that we rely on being in our supermarkets and green grocers each day are pollinated by bees. The staple, foods that bees provide us with are nutritional produce that most people eat and expect on a day to day basis.
Some of the most consumed crops that bees pollinate are... APPLES, PLUMS, PEARS, CHERRIES, RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, ASPARAGUS, AVOCADOS, BROCCOLI, CITRUS FRUITS, CELERY, CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES, SOYA BEANS,BROAD BEANS, RUNNER BEANS AND NUTS. Just to name a few.
APPLE TREE (SPRING - AUTUMN)
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH CAN GROW UP TO ANY SIZE
THYME (ANY SEASON)
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH SUITABLE FOR ALL GARDEN TYPES
WITHOUT BEES TO SPREAD SEED, MANY PLANTS (INCLUDING FOOD CROPS) WOULD DIE OFF. Bees are essential for pollinating both crops and other plants, especially those grown in our gardens and in the wild.
Cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive.
WITHOUT BEES THERE WOULD BE NO ONE TO PROVIDE, WHAT IS A VITAL AND TIME CONSUMING SERVICE.
Without bees to spread seeds, many plants (including food crops) would die off. It wouldn’t be long until certain animal species also starting dying out too as a direct result of the loss of pollinating bees.
Many animals eat the plants that bees pollinate just as we do, and fruit trees would not provide fruit without the bees pollination. If bees were to disappear then our only option, to ensure the crops, plants, animals and possibly our own survival, would be to pollinate everything ourselves by hand. It has been estimated that the value of insect pollinated fruits and vegetables grown in the UK is £220 million a year. In addition there is the inestimable value of pollination provided to wild flowers and gardens, making insect pollinators a vital component of our biodiversity.
Gardens are increasingly recognised as important habitats where insects can find sources of nectar and pollen. Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from one flower to another, allowing flowers to become fertilised, and enabling them to produce seeds and fruits. In some plants, such as grasses and conifers, pollen is spread by the wind, but the majority of plants require insects (mainly bees) and sometimes other animals to carry the pollen.
1:10 %
APPLES PEPPERS CUCUM B ALMO ERS NDS PLUM S ONIO PEAR NS ME S C H E LO N S C A RR RA RROT IES S BU PB S TTE ER RN RIES UT SQ UA SH
1/3 OF OUR FAVOURITE FOODS ARE POLLINATED BY BEES.
WHAT DO BEES DO FOR US?
90 % OF THE WORLDS PLANTS ARE POLLINATED BY BEES.
S RIE ER B K S A C ES B L TA T O R U I T P O RU S F S CIT MPKIN IES PU WBERR A S STR BEAN S OYA NUTS TTES COURGE CELERY BLUEBERRIES
BROCCOLI PEPPERS TOMATOES CHILLIES BRO AD B PEA S EANS A SPAR RU N N A G U S AND ER BEAN S HER BS
30 % OF THE WORLDS FOOD CROPS ARE POLLINATED BY BEES.
THERE IS AN INESTIMABLE VALUE OF THE POLLINATION PROVIDED TO WILDFLOWERS AND GARDENS EACH YEAR.
£
£220 MILLION
?
IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THIS IS THE VALUE OF BEE POLLINATED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES GROWN IN THE UK EACH YEAR.
WHY ARE BEES DYING OUT? WHAT IS CAUSING SO MANY SPECIES OF BRITISH BEES TO DIE OUT AND WHY ARE ENTIRE COLONIES FAILING TO THRIVE? There have been many ideas put forward as to why native bees of the UK are dying, but none have been proven to be the underlying cause. Some are known to be contributing factors, but no single cause has been proven. It is often forgotten that this is not a new phenomenon. IN THE 1950’S THERE WERE OVER FIFTY NATIVE SPECIES OF BEE IN THE UK, NOW THERE ARE JUST TWENTY-FIVE. Some types of bees are suffering more than others; honeybees are down around sixty percent since the 1970s. Bumblebees are also under threat; three species have entirely disappeared from Britain in recent years, others are dramatically in decline. Experts and scientists have come up with a number of possible reasons as to why bees are suffering including global warming, pesticides and disease.
1970 HONEYBEES 2012 (%)
1950
IN THE 1950S THERE WERE 50 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF NATIVE BEES IN THE UK.
HONEYBEE NUMBERS ARE DOWN 60% SINCE THE 1970S.
HOW MANY NATIVE SPECIES OF BEE ARE THERE LEFT IN BRITAIN?
3 SPECIES OF BUMBLEBEE HAVE ENTIRELY DISAPPEARED
2012
NOW IN 2012 THERE ARE ONLY 25 NATIVE BEE SPECIES LEFT.
LACK OF WILDFLOWERS
DISEASE
PESTICIDES
GLOBAL WARMING
GM CROPS
CCD
EXPERTS AND SCIENTISTS HAVE COME UP WITH A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE DECLINE OF BEES. LACK OF WILDFLOWERS. A British report in 2006 showed that not only were there fewer types and numbers of bees but the number of wildflowers had declined too. Wildflowers are not reproducing properly because of the lack of sufficient bees to pollinate them. DISEASE. Disease is a problem with bees, as there are certain mites that are known to spread disease among the bee population. Imagine one bee carrying mites back to a hive of thousands and you soon have a major problem. PESTICIDES. Another problem is the widespread use of insecticide and pesticide. Farmers spray crops with products designed to protect from pests, but a number of these is also killing bees. In gardens this is also a problem where homeowners spray their flowers and vegetables.
GLOBAL WARMING. Global warming and climate change also plays a part. Crop plants have been flowering unseasonably early. This can mean that there are no bees around to pollinate them. Later in the spring when the bees emerge, the flowers have already finished so no fruits form. GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS. One theory is the growth in genetically modified crops. Bees, love pollen and the theory is that modified pollens from the modified crops may be detrimental to the creatures and causing death. COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon first noticed in the USA, where entire colonies of bees simply died out due to unexplained circumstances.
PANSY (JUNE - AUGUST)
PERFECT FOR POTS GROWS UP TO 10CM (ON AVERAGE)
HOW CAN WE HELP BEES? BY PLANTING THE WILDFLOWERS BEES LOVE, YOU CAN HELP SAVE ONE OF THE MOST VITAL SPECIES IN BRITAIN. The reasons for the decline of bees are various and complex but part of the problem, and potentially the easiest issue to solve is the reduction in abundance of wildflowers in the UK countryside and gardens. THE EASIEST AND MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR EVERYONE TO HELP IS SIMPLY TO PLANT MORE OF THE WILDFLOWERS THAT BEES NEED TO POLLINATE. PLANTING WILDFLOWERS. Whether we use our gardens for pleasure or as a vegetable plot we can all enjoy the rewards of planting for bees. Whether your garden is a balcony, allotment, window box, hanging basket, pots, or a swathe of green open space we can all provide bees with a banquet of pollen and nectar throughout the year. Not only will bees benefit from the sensual feast plants provide, we will too with crops and a varieties of honey.
IN THE UK, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 97% OF LOWLAND MEADOW HAS BEEN DESTROYED IN THE LAST 75 YEARS (according to The Grasslands Trust). Around 1.3 million hectares of wildflowers and hedgerow have been lost in the industrialisation of British agriculture, and 3 million acres of wildflower meadows have gone since 1945, causing bees to struggle to find enough to eat. That’s an astonishing figure, and we need to do all we can to reverse this decline. Planting wildflowers, to replenish much of the meadow and wildflower habitat that has been lost over the years, is a very positive step we can take to assist bees.
ANTHER
STIGMA STYLE
POLLEN TUBE OVARY
FILAMENT SEPAL
OVULE
PETAL
There are around 1 million hectares of gardens in the UK which form an area way bigger than all the nature reserves and parks put together. WILDFLOWERS VARY IN THEIR ATTRACTIVENESS TO BEES, AS SOME PLANTS ARE VERY USEFUL AND OTHERS ARE NOT. WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GROW MORE OF THE RIGHT KINDS OF PLANTS. Bees favour certain types of flowers that can also enhance a garden, and providing them is relatively simple. These tend to be wildflowers as they offer a ready supply of pollen and nectar from flowers that are easily accessible, compared to the annual bedding plants that have been highly bred. The modified plants and flowers often produce no nectar or have double headed flowers that make access impossible for insects.
WILDFLOWERS ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR BEES TO GATHER THE ESSENTIAL NECTAR AND POLLEN THAN THE MODIFIED BEDDING FLOWERS.
COLUMBINE (MARCH - MAY)
BEST FOR BEDS GROWS UP TO 40CM (ON AVERAGE)
WE ONLY HAVE 3% LEFT OF THE WILDFLOWERS THAT BEES NEED.
LOSS OF WILDFLOWERS IN BRITAIN SINCE 1975.
1.3 MILLION HECTARES OF WILDFLOWER HEDGEROWS HAVE BEEN LOST.
(%)
97 % OF WILDFLOWERS IN HEDGES AND MEADOWS IN THE UK HAS BEEN DESTROYED SINCE 1975.
3 MILLION HECTARES OF WILDFLOWER MEADOWS HAVE BEEN LOST.
PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES
UK GARDENS
1 MILLION HECTARES OF GARDEN AREA IN BRITAIN.
GARDEN HECTARES IN THE UK.
AN AREA BIGGER THAN ALL THE PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES PUT TOGETHER.
YARROW (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER)
BEST FOR BEDS GROWS UP TO 60CM (ON AVERAGE)
BEE FRIENDLY PLANTS. PLANTING BEE FRIENDLY WILDFLOWERS AND PLANTS WILL BENEFIT BOTH YOU AND BEES. Planting wildflowers in your garden is the easiest and simplest way to help bees. They need the rich nectar and pollen that these types of flowers contain (rather then the genetically modified flowers so many of us have in our gardens today). WILDFLOWERS ARE JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE MORE COMMERCIAL MODIFIED FLOWERS, AND BY PLANTING THEM YOU WILL ALSO BE HELPING THE BIODIVERSITY OF BRITAIN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE SURVIVAL OF BEES. Wildflowers are also much easier to grow and upkeep than some of the more common plants we see in gardens today. So even if you’re not an adventurous gardener, it’s enjoyable and easy to do. There are plenty of varieties to choose from throughout the year, so it isn’t just the summer months that you will be helping the bees.
A list of pollinator friendly plants for all garden types has been devised, so whether you have the space for flower beds or a small window box you can help save bees. FOUR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF POLLEN AND NECTAR FULL WILDFLOWERS AND PLANTS HAVE BEEN CREATED SO THAT YOU CAN PICK THE PERFECT SIZED PLANTS TO SUIT YOUR GARDEN. Within the categories, the plants have been divided into different seasons to help you to make the most out of your garden and have it looking beautiful all year round.
PERFECT FOR POTS
ACE FOR ALLOTMENTS
BEST FOR BEDS
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH
PERFECT FOR POTS. The first category is a list of the small wildflowers that are perfect for people that have window boxes, balcony gardens and pots or tubs. The wildflowers on this list don’t grow too tall in height and flourish in a warm, sunny spot. They are really easy to maintain and grow. BEST FOR BEDS. The second category is for people with small to medium sized gardens, possibly with a few flower beds as well as pots and tubs. The wildflowers picked on this list are a variety of heights so they look beautiful all mixed in together. There are also a few smaller shrubs and bushes on this list too, if you have larger beds.
ACE FOR ALLOTMENTS. The third category is aimed at people with allotments and large gardens. The list contains wildflowers and plants that can grow and flourish to be quite tall. Along with a choice of flowers, small shrubs and bushes, there are also a few flowering trees that are easy to grow and perfect for large open gardens. BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH. The fourth category contains a list of herbs and plants that produce fruits and vegetables. This list is aimed at people with all garden types, you don’t need to have an allotment to benefit. Herbs grow perfectly in pots and many of the plants grow really well in small flower beds.
HONEYSUCKLE (SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER)
ACE FOR ALLOTMENTS CAN GROW UP TO ANY SIZE
PERFECT FOR POTS. THE WILDFLOWERS ON THIS LIST ARE PERFECT FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE WINDOW BOXES, BALCONIES, POTS AND TUBS. The wildflowers on this list don’t grow above 20 cm tall. They have been divided up into seasons so that you can help bees all year round.
SPRING. (Mar - May) Aubretia Blue bell Coltsfoot Daisy Forget Me Not Lesser Celandine Pansy Primrose Cowslip
SUMMER. (June - Aug) Birdsfoot Trefoil Bugle Carline thistle Chamomile Daisy Kidney Vetch Pansy Harebell Clustered Bellflower Rock Rose Poppies Sunflower
AUTUMN.
WINTER.
(Sep - Oct) Red Clover White Clover Cornflower Evening Primrose
(Nov - Feb) Primrose Selfheal Snowdrop Crocus
PRIMROSE (MARCH - MAY)
PERFECT FOR POTS GROWS UP TO 10CM (ON AVERAGE)
BEST FOR BEDS. THE WILDFLOWERS ON THIS LIST ARE BEST FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED GARDENS, WITH FLOWER BEDS. The wildflowers and plants have on this list grow between 30 - 60 cm tall. They have been divided up into seasons so that you can help bees all year round.
SPRING. (Mar - May) Alkanet Rhododendron (shrub) Broom (shrub) Columbine Comfrey Cotoneaster (shrub)
SUMMER. (June - Aug) Bindweed (climber) Borage Dame’s Violet Goldenrod Lupin Meadow Buttercup Teasel Small Scabious Rose Foxglove Marjoram (shrub) Snapdragons
AUTUMN.
WINTER.
(Sep - Oct) Buddleia Clover Dead nettle Evening Primrose Foxglove Honeysuckle Knapweed Yarrow Vipers bugloss Toadflax Gorse (shrub)
(Nov - Feb) Gorse (shrub) Yarrow Whines (shrub) Heather (shrub)
SNAPDRAGON (JUNE - AUGUST)
BEST FOR BEDS GROWS UP TO 40CM (ON AVERAGE)
ACE FOR ALLOTMENTS. THE WILDFLOWERS ON THIS LIST ARE PERFECT FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE LARGE GARDENS OR ALLOTMENTS. The wildflowers, plants and trees on this list can grown really tall. They have been divided up into seasons so that you can help bees all year round.
SPRING. (Mar - May) Rhododendron (shrub) Broom Columbine Cottoneaster Elder Hawthorne (tree) Sallows (tree) June Berry American lilac
SUMMER. (June - Aug) Bramble Buddleia Lupin Meadowsweet Purple Loosestrife Scotch Thistle Teasel Wild Dog Rose (tree) Guelder Rose Whitebeam (shrub)
AUTUMN.
WINTER.
(Sep - Oct) Buddleia Nettle Honeysuckle Ivy Sycamore (tree)
(Nov - Feb) Nettle Ivy Sycamore (tree)
LUPIN (JUNE - AUGUST)
BEST FOR BEDS GROWS UP TO 90CM (ON AVERAGE)
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH. THE PLANTS ON THIS LIST ARE BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH YOU AND BEES, AS THEY PROVIDE YOU WITH FOOD AND POLLEN FOR BEES. This list contains herbs and plants that provide fruit and vegetables for you. The herbs and smaller plants can be grown in pots, and the rest are best for beds or allotments.
HERBS. (All seasons) Thyme Sage Borage Catmint Chives Hyssop Lavender Mints Lemon Balm Fennel Angelica Wild Bergamot Myrtle Rosemary
SMALL FRUIT & VEGETABLES.
LARGE FRUIT & VEGETABLES.
(Spring - Autumn) Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries Blueberries Tomatoes Cherries Chillies Peas
(Spring - Autumn) Pears (tree) Apples (tree) Plum (tree) Onions Carrots Broccoli Runner beans Broad beans Courgettes Cucumber Peppers Potatoes Asparagus Pumpkins Squash Rhubarb
BLACKBERRIES (SPRING - AUTUMN)
BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH SUITABLE FOR ALL GARDEN TYPES
FEBR
YARROW
IVY
GORSE (SHRUB)
NETTLE
GORSE (SHRUB) TOADF
EAL
SNO WDR
MBER -
SELFH
OP
PRIMROSE
WINTER (NOVE
WHIN E (SHRU S B)
SY C AM OR (TREE E )
CUS
U ARY
C RO
WHICH GARDEN TYPE DO YOU HAVE?
HEAT (SHR HER UB)
ALL OF THE BEE FRIENDLY WILDFLOWERS AND PLANTS HAVE PARTICULAR SEASONS THEY SHOULD BE PLANTING IN. GET THE RIGHT WILDFLOWERS FOR YOUR GARDEN TYPE ALL YEAR ROUND AND HELP SOLVE PLAN BEE.
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WHICH WILDFLOWERS FOR YOU?
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FOX G
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BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH
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PERFECT FOR POTS
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COLUMBINE
PLU
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C ARR
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CO W
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SLIP
AN RIC AME L A C LI
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RUNNER BEANS
BROAD BEANS COURGETT CUCU
LA
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S
LUPI MEA
DO W
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POTAT
LE M O N B A L M MINTS FEN DER N IVY P
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BO R A G
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BUGLE
D AM E’S VIOLE T
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GOLD
LUP
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D AI KID VET NEY CH
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SUNFLOWER
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RED CLOVER
F LO W
WHITE CLO
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SNAPDRAGON
BUDDLEIA
CLOVER
D NET TLE
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DEA
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BUDDLEIA
CKLE
NETTLE
HONE Y SU
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SQUASH
SY C
PUMPKIN
P LO O U R P L SES E TRI FE SC T H I O TC H ST L E
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BRAMBLE
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PLAN BEE WILDFLOWER & PLANT LIST
)
EB
IMR
SUMMER (JUN
A WILD BERGAMO NT
SY
B RO O M (SHRUB)
AP
MARY THYME S AGE ROSE E L BO YRT
(T PLE
GE RA
M
JUN
ELIC ANG
PR
RIES RA SPBER
BLACKBERRIES
- M AY )
B RO O M ST R A W BERRIE (SHRUB) S COTTO BLUE BELL BLUE NEA S BERR IES (SHRU TER RHO D B ODEND ) TOM ATO (SHRU RON EDLE ES B) COLTSF R CH RHO ER O OT RIE PE D ODE CO L U AR S NDR M S( ( B S I N HRU E TR B) ON HA EE WT ) D AIS (TR HORN Y CO M EE) FRE SA Y L LO C OT T (TR W FOR O EE S ) (SH NEA S ME GET RU TER N OT B)
ALKANET
AUBRETIA
S P R I N G ( M A RC H
A UTUMN (SEPT
EMBER
- OC
GET PLAN BEE IN ACTION. WITH NATIONAL GARDEN CENTRES HELPING, YOU GETTING INVOLVED TO HELP SOLVE PLAN BEE COULDN’T BE EASIER. Garden centres up and down the country have joined forces with the Plan Bee campaign to try and get everyone everywhere planting the wildflowers and plants that bees need. TO BECOME INVOLVED AND DO TO DO YOUR PART IN HELPING BRITAIN’S BEES, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS VISIT YOUR LOCAL GARDEN CENTRE AND PICK UP THE PACKET OF PLAN BEE SEEDS THAT ARE SUITABLE TO YOUR GARDEN TYPE.
JUST LOOK FOR THE PLAN BEE LOGO ON PACKS OF SEEDS.
BEE
PLAN
By using the Plan Bee coding system for each garden type, finding the seeds that are right for you will be easy and hassle free. The seeds have also been organised by when to plant them seasonally, so doing your bit couldn’t be easier and will guarantee you beautiful flowers and plants all year round.
NOW IS THE TIME.
BEE