Many people feel they are helping the bees by growing dandelions in their lawn, thinking they are the only food source for them.

That may be true, if the neighbourhood is a barren landscape in terms of fertile flowers. But many pollinators need pollen and nectar before then – as food for themselves and in starting a colony, as with queen bumblebees. Nature created their perfect food in the form of native plants (that bloom earlier than dandelions) and that provide suitable amounts of nectar and pollen that match the needs of our pollinators.

Trees and Shrubs

Willow

This often overlooked plant is actually an incredibly important plant and Canada has dozens of native species from coast to coast. Some are trees but many are shrubs and of those, some can do well in medium-sized gardens. Willow flowers are some of the first to appear in the spring, making their nectar and pollen-rich flowers especially important.

Maple

Not many people look up and admire maple flowers, partly because they are inconspicuous, but also because they tend to be rather high up! As such, people don’t think of maples when it comes to early food for pollinators. Maples are typically wind pollinated but some, like Red and Sugar Maples in the east and Vine and Bigleaf Maples in the west also have insect visitors from bees and flies to butterflies.

Serviceberry

There are several species of serviceberries that grow in Canada as small trees or shrubs. Their pretty white flowers bloom before their leaves emerge, creating a lovely white canopy to behold. With its pollen and nectar, serviceberries are an important food source for many types of pollinators.

Eastern Redbud, hawthorn, elderberry

Other native trees and shrubs to consider adding to your garden for spring blooming include Eastern Redbud with its striking pink flowers, elderberries, hawthorns, dogwoods, viburnums, Spicebush, wild currants and Choke or Pin Cherries.

Herbaceous Plants – Shade

Bloodroot

This low growing woodland plant has bright white flowers that bloom before the leaves of a forest or woodland emerge. Their short-lived flowers are pollen-rich and support solitary bees and flies.

Foamflower

Both eastern and western species of foamflower have spikes of white flowers that can bloom for a few weeks, adding grace to your garden and providing fuel to our pollinators.

bellwort, hepatica, Wild Geranium, Virginia Bluebells

Other woodland (shade or partial-shade) early bloomers include hepaticas, Spring Beauty, columbines, Virginia Bluebells, Mayapple, Dutchman’s Breeches and trout lilies (also called fawn lilies).

Herbaceous Plants – Sun

Prairie Crocus

Prairie crocus is the provincial flower of Manitoba and one of the first Prairie plants to bloom. It is not only important for bees as an early food source but its bowl-shaped flower, with petals that reflect the sun’s heat, can also serve as a resting spot where bees can warm up on cold days!

Prairie-smoke

Another low growing plant is Prairie-smoke which can be found in open areas. It provides nectar and bumble bees use their buzz pollination ability to get the pollen.

shooting star, Marsh Marigold

Two more early spring natives that will grow in the sun include Shooting Stars with their striking flowers that come in pink or occasionally white and the yellow-flowered Marsh-marigold that forms clumps in damp or wet soil.