Weeds may seem like unwanted plants to those striving to achieve an ideal lawn, but they play an integral part in supporting local pollinators populations. Bee populations have been in decline due to pathogens (notably Varroa), environmental factors and reduced floral resources within semi-natural habitats.
Use alternatives to herbicides and fertilizers instead, like leaving some weeds alone to flower naturally. Here are some great weeds you should leave alone:
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Clover
Clover, the perennial lawn weed, serves as an invaluable pollinator magnet. Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens varieties of this legume can be found around the world and both red and white forms produce copious nectar production that attracts all sorts of bees to our yards.
Clovers are ideal for use as both an alternative to traditional lawns and living mulch systems, particularly when planted among rows of vegetables, fruit bushes or trees. Clover plants quickly form thick covers which help prevent erosion while simultaneously suppressing weeds in shaded areas.
Clover roots, belonging to the legume family, contain bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen into nodules that release it back into the soil for fertilization of grasses and other plants. Clover seeds can be harvested and stored for future sowing seasons if kept at dry temperatures within a year; otherwise they will rapidly spoil.
Dandelions
Dandelions are one of the earliest Spring bloomers and provide both pollen and nectar for bees to feed on, often mistaken for weeds by homeowners. Bees love these early-bloomers as they help get veggie plants and annual flowers off to a good start while providing food during transition periods when bees prepare themselves for Summer.
Bright yellow flower heads (petals) on stalks attached to parachute-like structures consisting of hairs (pappus). This enables seeds to be dispersed by wind; for more information, see Science Learning Hub’s Wiki page on seed dispersal.
Even though dandelion pollen may not contain as much nectar as that from flowering trees, it remains an essential food source for bees. Protein from it is crucial for brood-rearing, worker bee development and overall colony health – though an exclusive diet of only this source could leave bees lacking essential amino acids to ensure their wellbeing.
Creeping Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing ground cover that spreads quickly to form dense coverage. Its pleasant scent matches well with the balsamic or citrus fragrance of its flowers; flowering thyme also attracts bees, making it an attractive addition to gardens focused on honey production as its pollen can flavor honey products produced using its pollen.
If growing thyme from seeds, sow indoors in early spring for outdoor planting after frost risk has passed. You can also propagate it by dividing or taking cuttings from existing mature plants.
Indoor Thyme Cultivation If growing indoor thyme, place in a container with well-draining soil and place it in an area with moderate sunlight. As soon as the top layer of soil dries out, water it as soon as the top layer dries out; once weather conditions become warmer, water more frequently – this is also a great opportunity to feed it with balanced fertilizer solutions!
Deadnettle
Deadnettle (Lamium) is an edible, medicinal wild herb and an integral component of natural home medicine. A winter annual that blooms early spring, its flowers provide nectar source to bees during this important season and also serve as larval food.
Flowers of this plant are long and narrow, only accessible by insects with long proboscises such as bees (bumble bees, honey bees and digger bees), which have long proboscises to access its pollen. Bees from groups like Digger bees also gather pollen while feeding larvae from its leaves.
Purple deadnettle shares many characteristics with henbit, such as its square stem with stalked lower leaves resembling seedling leaves on either end and stalkless upper leaves resembling fan-shaped seedling leaves on both sides of it. Both species boast deep, reddish-purple hues with high concentrations of tannins which have antiseptic qualities, helping contract and seal wounds, scrapes and insect bites while simultaneously providing tannin-rich tannin extracts for topical application to sores or scrapes or insect bites – these plants should be controlled using selective herbicide in fall or during flowering before setting seeds is best controlled with selective herbicide.
