Create your own Bee Garden

The Scenic Rim Summers are the season of outdoor feasting: barbecues and sweet sips from the nectar of the gods. But it’s not just us that enjoy it. Our native bees are out in force, living life to the fullest extent possible: revelling in the excesses of pollen, sipping the abundance of nectar, travelling far and wide to explore the beauty of the blooms en masse.

Within our 1660+ species of Australian native bees, there are a few that forage on specific plants but many of our most common native bees are generalist foragers. This makes it easy for each of us to not only choose plants that will suit our own individual lifestyles, but will also provide for the native bees as well.

Flowering natives will always be popular: grevillea, eucalypts, bottlebrush, daisies, leptospermum, dianella, hardenbergia, and pigface. A flowering herb and vegie garden are also a favourite hang-out: think oregano, basil, rocket, bok choi, sage, borage, and rosemary.

Exotic flowers like lavender, cosmos, roses, salvia, nasturtium, alyssum, gaura, and petunias provide plenty of forage for bees. Roses do double-duty (triple-duty if you consider what a delight they are to our senses) by not only providing a food source for stingless bees, but also for providing nesting material for solitary bees. The leafcutter bee snips little circles of rose leaf (or other soft leaf like stone fruit, or crepe myrtle) with her mandibles to line her nest with (a bit like a baby blanket).

Rest assured that little holes in your rose leaves is a good thing: don’t spray for caterpillars! If your green-space is the setting for summer feasts and fun, be sure to indulge in some summer gardening. Both you and the native bees, will enjoy it all summer long.

Lumiére Farm House

Located only a 15min drive from the historic township of Boonah, is Lumiere Farmhouse. A 100 year old home, loving restored to a light filled haven. Just one hour drive from Brisbane and 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast this grand old lady is perfect for that family country escape, romantic getaway or group booking. Set on 2 acres of land, with long views across the rolling hills, explore the magic of the location, visit nearby Summer Land Camels, or take the day to explore the many wineries and pubs within the region.

Traditional Wood Stove & Outdoor Fire Pit Sleeps six, 3 bedrooms, 4 beds 2 bathrooms with views to die for

Air-conditioned Master with queen bed & ensuite

Two veranda’s to gaze at the stars or watch the wildlife

To book visit Airbnb.com/h/lumierefarmhouse or call Suz on 0416 265 836 #destinationscenicrim

Grace Your Space

Our homes have never been more important. They are not only our shelter from the world, but where we set the tone for our day and create lifelong memories. Many people cannot see past the things they dislike - the dark areas, the lack of windows. Suz, from Grace Your Space 'has the ability to instantly see the incredible opportunities a room has to offer opposed to the improvements it may need.’ She has the ability to listen to someone and feel their space and personality, then articulate that with decor and small tweaks that represent the person. Suzs’ honesty and can do attitude means no procrastinating. She makes decision and acts on them quickly.

Styling is a way to creating a home you love - and it is not about spending lots of money. Often it’s just about using what you’ve got - regardless of it being a rental or a place you plan to renovate ‘one day’. Styling is the art and science of arranging objects to make your home the best it can be today.

graceyourspacesuz www.graceyourspace.com.au 0416 265 836