Grow
GROW A POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY
GARDEN WITH YEAR-ROUND
FLOWERING PLANTS
ACT Resources
Planting List for the Canberra Region
The Planting List for the Canberra Region has been produced by ACT for Bees and Other Pollinators to support a "Bee and Pollinator Friendly Canberra" and is aimed primarily at home gardeners.
It includes information on how to provide pollinator friendly habitats, pest management practices and information on both native and exotic plants that attract and support pollinators.
The Urban Planting Calendar for the ACT
An easy-to-use 32-page guide to trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses that developers and ACT Government agencies can use to attract and support pollinators.
As noted in the introduction, pollinators are the foundation of biodiversity. This is a great guide for us all to plan for year-round flowering for pollinators (including grasses for butterflies).
Resources produced in other regions
Wheen Bee Foundation
The Wheen Bee Foundation supports research projects and activities aimed at keeping bees healthy. Working with all levels of government, the apiculture industry, bee-reliant food industries, universities, research organisations and community, the foundation funds vital strategic research and education initiatives that strengthen bees, improve pollination efficiency, increase food security, and support ecosystem health.
The core objectives of the foundation are to:
- Fund research and development.
- Raise awareness of the importance of bees for food security and ecosystem health.
- Connect people integral to the cause.
Planting & Creating Habitat to Attract Bees - Northern NSW
A great resource from the Valley Bees community in Northern NSW, containing information on plants that flower throughout the seasons and lots of ideas for bee hotels.
Planting Seeds - Sydney NSW
Planting Seeds is a sustainability program with a focus on environmental protection and sustainable education.
It fosters environmental sustainability in urban and peri-urban environments, through a range of initiatives , including working with schools.
The Heart Gardening Project - Melbourne VIC
The Heart Gardening Project is creating the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor (MPC), a 8km community-driven wildlife corridor, focusing on native bees and other pollinating insects. It will link 2 large green patches that run along the Birrarung, Westgate Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Pollinator Link - Brisbane QLD
Pollinator Link: Bringing Back the Butterflies, Bees and Birds has great resources for the Brisbane region and invites the community to join in creating pollinator corridors in the region.
Powerful Pollinators - Planting guides for Eastern and Western Australia
Powerful Pollinators is a program designed to increase the prevalence, health and diversity of pollinators in the landscape.
The Program encourages the strategic planting of ‘trees for bees’ and other pollinators and provides Pollinator Planting Guides developed by experienced botanists and field ecologists for use by landholders.
Learn to Build a Bee Hotel
The Buzz on Wild Bees Facebook group has an excellent booklet by Kit Prendergast on building Native Bee Hotels.
BEWARE of shop bought insect hotels as they are often not deep enough (>15 cm) for the most common native Australian bees.
What does pollinator-friendly habitat look like?
The problem with pesticides
Healthy pollinators are essential for healthy ecosystems, thriving gardens and the food we eat. Yet many commonly used pesticides can unintentionally harm bees and other beneficial insects. Discover why this matters, learn about the chemicals of greatest concern, and explore safer ways to manage garden pests without harming pollinators.
Organic seeds, seedlings and garden products suppliers
Organic food suppliers
Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers. Organic farming practices tend to take care of biodiversity by increasing soil fertility, conserve water, reduce soil erosion and reduce pollution.
Where ever possible, buy locally produced organic food from your supplier or Farmers Market.
Insect decline in the Anthropocene:
Death by a thousand cuts
The world’s honey bees have been in steep decline for over a decade, with extraordinary losses in population witnessed across the globe resulting in a 30 percent loss of some honey bee colonies every year.
Beekeepers across the U.S. and Europe have reported these mass bee deaths, known as ‘colony collapse’ since 2006 and in the absence of any singular explanation, the disturbing decline was dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).