Plant THESE to Attract Bees

[@PlanBeeNativePlants]

Thanks a ton for coming out and checking out my nursery Jason. I appreciate being able to talk with you and your audience about native plants and share some of my knowledge and perspective 🌱😊

[@databang]

I like what you’re doing.

[@gwbuilder5779]

Josh, Thank you for having Jason out to your nursery. I appreciate your focus on native plants and natural environment because they are definitely a critical part of every regional eco-system. The challenge is always going to be how to encourage people to add a few native plants to their space. Honestly, many people consider a large portion of natives to be weeds or undesirables. I believe you have a unique opportunity to not only share your knowledge and passion for the native plants and bees, but also to discover compatible and complimentary plants for people to want in their growing space. I live in Hawaii and we have a serious concern about the loss of native plants, animals, and insects like the honey bees as well as many others due to all of the imported varieties and stowaways that find their way here from around the world. My approach is a bit different from yours because I am focusing primarily on edible plants; however, I am adding as many pollinator and beneficial attractors as my property will support. Much like you, I am growing things as naturally as possible simply so they can survive on their own with as little help from me as possible. I tend to push the limits of "Ideal" because I want the plants to grow in spaces that are not ideal. If I am successful then I have the opportunity to create a community of growers who might not otherwise even try. My property is at 4,600ft/1,600m elevation and the temperature drops down to around 38F/2C. Not exactly ideal for tropical plants, but not impossible either. If I am able to cultivate the stronger native varieties to live in these conditions, perhaps I can also encourage more people to add them to their own spaces, increasing the area of natural cultivation, even if it's one plant at a time. I encourage you to balance the urgency you feel about the native species and preserving them, with helping people find native plants that will compliment their existing plants and perhaps develop a diversified plan that is sustainable for the long-term. The majority of builders, designers, and landscapers are not going to focus on native plants because they are trying to make every space unique so it will stand out. I am close to the national forest, so as I find native plants that can naturally survive in this area, I will be planting them in the forest areas (with the forest service permission of coures). Don't know the rules there in Canada, but maybe you have some opportunities there as well.🤙

[@stephaniebalducci6248]

Very important to have the native plants. I'm so glad you have presented this side of it. I'm working on letting more if my native plants get their footing back in my yard and garden. The birds, insects, other creatures and trees need these to survive. Many people think of them as weeds and don't see their beauty. Thank you, again for helping to shine some light on the need for a healthy mix.

[@MrBwingram]

Nice set-up Josh. Thanks for info and tour. I'm interested in native forest plants. From Ontario.

[@conniebressler9201]

I would absolutely love some of your plants, but I am in Western North Carolina and I don't think they would like my environment.

[@Ravenzpeak]

I've been using all natives plants in my yard for decades and it is so pleasing to me to see young men like these take on the hobby and specialize in propagating natives. Thank you so much!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Wonderful to hear about your native garden Ravenzpeak!

[@marydrew3568]

Thanks Jason. I planted Pestemon, milkweed and other bee and pollinator and butterfly friendly plants. There were 10-12 hives across the road in the red clover field and my entire property was infused with bees! It also helps to give bees a water source where they can't drown, like a shallow birdbath with stones in it. My rose garden fountain was swarming with bees.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

So nice to hear Mary!

[@shanaw3806]

I live in Burnaby and I'm so touched by both of you who are doing so much for BC nature. May I request another video on how to incorporate more of these native plants in our yards or city patios. 🙏

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Shana. I'll add it to my list!

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

Agreed! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS

[@Wethecenter]

Thanks for supporting this side of the business… so important to get these products out there!

[@activistgranny2.066]

Great segment. Bees love rosemary.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - they really do! And so many others of the common herbs (oregano, thyme, sage)

[@sillililli01]

I really appreciate what this young man is doing, it's important to remember native plants and the insects they support. I'll keep this information in mind when planning out my garden beds on the acreage. Thank you for interviewing and visiting his section of this greenhouse.

[@Frosteyez86]

Another really great video Jason! Interesting point of view. Especially the part about not liking cuttings, and prefering seed to keep the genetics diverse. Makes you think! Have a small nursery myself of mainly edibles (berries, fruit, herbs) in Sweden. Do alot of cuttings, but started to do some more from seed this last year.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Samuel. Have an excellent growing and selling season!

[@jeaniedickman6421]

Thank you for including the native plant section! SO important! Great collab! 👏👏 I saw native bleeding hears and a Bigleaf maple tree in your yard. Great natives. Suggestions of native plants: Mahonia (Oregon grape), Wood Sorrel is a beautiful native ground cover for shade. Blanket flower is great for pollinators in full sun for summer. Camas is a great replacement for hyacinth for early spring. Pick something new each month that is in bloom and many natives will spread themselves and require very little care once established. I highly recommend the book “Real Gardens Grow Natives” by Eileen Stark as a native plant resource for gardens in our PNW climate. So helpful!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Jeanie for the recommendations. I haven't been very structured about it, but there are definitely quite a few natives in the yard. Dogwoods, elder, dog-tooth violet, mahonia, red-flowering currant - I just added a whole bunch of false lily-of-the-valley (because I'm in love with the foliage). I think you're right - if you can find a native plant that excites you for each month or season, it's not a difficult task to find some space for them.

[@ec9401]

Yes!!! Thank you for discussing native plants :) And I’m so excited to see someone growing natives from seed. I’ve been growing my own from seed for two seasons now. I would love a source like his nursery near me. (But winter sowing natives is super easy here in New England!) If anyone else is hoping to make your yard a functional, healthy part of your local ecosystem, there are resources where you can type your zip code in (in the US) and see a list of plants that support the most biodiversity near you. I’ve heard that 70% native in the yard is a good ratio or goal. A lot can be achieved by converting lawn to native meadow. It’s honestly so much fun to watch the insects on native plants - and the birds in my yard are noticeably more active. It’s beautiful and fulfilling.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Nice to hear you've been doing this for a couple of seasons and you're enjoying the results!

[@rgitzelify]

Oh wow, very cool. We are in East Van, and have a good population of bees. It's so satisfying to see them buzzing about our yard. But... we could always have more! Time for a road trip to the valley... Hmmm, yeah, we get _wooly_ aphids on our lupins, particularly on our boulevard.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Rodney. Yes, they'll find those lupins and nasturtiums right away!

[@TheLuxumbrae]

Really enjoying the editing style and cinematography.

[@dc0145a]

My hives came through the winter so strong this year. I'm always looking for new pollinator plants to add to my 'bee garden'. Thank you Jason and Josh.

[@zinnia3190]

I live in the US midwest and it's sad to see all the local nurseries filled with non-native plants. Prairies are now agricultural. I've been slowly adding natives to my gardens, but they do take some searching to find even in a prairie state! Thank you for this video, Jason. Great Job, Josh!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Zinnia - glad to hear you're helping to restore your rich native ecosystem!

[@lisbetsoda4874]

Lavender is great as well

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes. And I'll through in a shout out for its cousin catmint too.

[@pozzee2809]

We have Joe Pye Weed which the bees absolutely love!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

They go wild for it. I used to have a little hedge of eupatorium cannabinum, and you could hear the bees from 20ft away.

[@crystalruth3733]

Awesome information. Don't think people understand how very important it is to keep our bees!! Thanks for sharing!

[@bluesky7226]

Balance. Key to gardening! Thank you for the video.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

You're so welcome.

[@lornadoonefash2237]

Thanks for sharing Jason!

[@orchidgarden3124]

Excellent and thought provoking, thank you!

[@leonardoalfonso7080]

Glad to see nursery men working together to improve biodiversity :)

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

Nicely done Jason.

[@tanon823]

Surprisingly, I discovered that cotoneasters attract bees like crazy. My hedges are full of them every spring and summer.

[@gwbuilder5779]

What a great conversation! Jason, you and Josh have shown how to broaden a palette while being aware of the natural environment of a particular region. Diversified growing is an important part of any eco-system although not always compatible; however, there are definitely ways to be flexible and many opportunities to work together. As I transition to the new property I am adding quite a few more native plants as pollinators, but it is necessary to monitor the pest populations as well as the beneficials and pollinators. Hopefully the compatibility will be positive all around, guess we will find out. I like the way you turned a potential negative into a positive. Very creative. 👌

[@hossenfeffer8383]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jason🌷💚🙃

[@giuliobaecker5476]

I have been looking for a video like this!

[@kris2435]

Great vid. Thanks.

[@annierampersad3982]

Thanks Jason for this informative video. I've planted borage before and they are quite lovely.

[@zvideos100]

Finally first 100 views! Always love to see your videos Jason!

[@dblattert]

Fantastic video!

[@alejandroalcala3146]

Native Wildflowers 💚

[@mattbarker4921]

Good info. I'll consider native plants more. I saw some Indian paintbrushes I'd love to take home growing wild. :)

[@MartinaSchoppe]

awesome information!! It's so important to plant natives - not just for the native bees but also for other insects. Most catapillars of butterflies nees very specific food plants. No catapillar plants, no butterflies. I recently read an artivle on "REturn to now" named "How One Man Singlehandedly Repopulated a Rare Butterfly Species in His Backyard" which is basicall about the relationship of the California pipevine swallowtail butterfly and the plant their catapillars need. So find out about what your "butterfly babies" need to munch on and plant some of those, too.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Martina. That's really interesting - and I think this is the kind of conservation effort that excites me! It's grass-roots, and focuses on what an individual gardener can do with the right knowledge. I'll take that over any earth day parade!

[@MartinaSchoppe]

Yes, and I hope these grass roots spread like weeds 🙃 sooooo many endangered species and basically everything starts with plants and insects.

[@RedneckHillbillies]

This video was incredibly helpful, thank you! I'm planning a food forest style garden of mostly edibles for our new homestead, and want to include several types of flowering plants for pollinators. Mostly from seed due to cost, but it's nice to consider the biodiversity aspect of that too. 😀

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks so much for the feedback and encouragement!

[@suebrown3194]

This was informative - thanks! We live just south of B.C. You've got me thinking about putting in a few lupines to "protect" my roses now. On the other side of the house from the roses maybe... 😉

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Sue. I haven't grown them for a couple of seasons, but I'm itching to try some for next spring!

[@KP-gw5zv]

Thank you for sharing all this info with us. I am so interested in planting native plants in my garden. It is hard for me even though I live in the Township of Langley. If I could start I agree with that it would help with keeping the aphids down. Have a great day.

[@sleepydrJ]

Very interesting! So do cuttings only when you are looking for clones- like roses, for known traits. And go with natural genetics (seeds) for things to support local insect populations

[@leecorrigan8394]

All pollinators seem to really enjoy my lamium, lavender, and corn flowers

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for your picks Lee! It gets a little disrespect (because of a few bad players in centaurea) but I love cornflower!

[@leecorrigan8394]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Yes I love the stages of Centaurea blooms, I find mine looks really terrible about 3/4s through the season foliage wise but the blooms hold up well

[@garygalloway6959]

Anise......absolutely phenomenal amount of bees working anise. I put in about 8 feet of it every year.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Gary - love the carrot family for insects! Unless you mean anise-hyssop, which is also pretty awesome

[@GrowingonVancouverIsland]

I loved this video! You need to get the inventory onto vancouver island. I'M confident your sales would sky rocket here

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

He makes a really good point about how growing all of your plants from cuttings... It's also a good way to spread viruses as well if you don't sanitize your tools. I mean I'm not saying I don't believe in cuttings or anything, but I still think it's important to do a certain amount of growing from seed.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

It's definitely wise to maintain diversity in these plant populations

[@dennismahoney8934]

Ponder this for a second. "If the bee disappears from the surface of the Earth, man would have no more than four years to live." ~ Albert Einstein

[@diegonegreb3948]

I buy cultivars, but avoid “double flowers” as I’ve heard bees and insects are unable to access the nectar of these flowers. Not sure how true this is, but looking at the flowers of some doubles (such as those of echinacea and roses) I can see what they mean. The flower heads are so messy with petals I don’t see how any insect could get to the nectar - if there is any. Comments??

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Diego - yes, I've heard the same about those flowers so full of petals that the bees can't access the nectar easily. It makes a lot of sense to choose the simple flowers for pollinators (but I'll still allow myself a good allotment of doubles and "fancy" varieties just for their garden appeal!)

[@Vlogswala1]

Hello Jason kindly make a video about aloe vera propagation. is sexual or asexual ? most of source show with pups only. can grow it from cuttings or seeds ? Best regards

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

I don't see how "everything we know about bees is wrong". Everything covered is pretty standard - interesting but not controversial.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Anna. That came from the title of Josh's video on the topic, and I agree with you for the most part. Part of the game on KZbin is to pick a controversial or provocative title to improve audience click-through (in other words, clickbait). I don't blame him for it - this is a part of the ecosystem here on YT, and it's why you see so many videos phrased like "DANGER: DON'T use wood ash in your garden" or "You WON'T BELIEVE what happens when you bury a fish head in your garden" (and by the way, yes I would believe it: a the rodents would quickly find it and dig it up). So far as Josh's title goes, it's pretty mild. His claim really comes down to the fact that my standard recommendations for supporting bees are all pretty much international cultivars of (mainly) exotic plants. They'll be very helpful to the generalist bees and wildlife, but won't do anything for the specialists that rely on native species. I'm glad to have heard his message, and in the end, I don't think our approaches are in opposition at all: they're complimentary.

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm "won't do anything for the specialists that rely on native species". As a bee specialist, I entirely agree and it's an important message. This is esp true of moths and butterflies, which are often reliant on just one native species.

[@ebybeehoney]

I'm in the Midwest of the States and we have a wonderful native wildflower nursery that I visit a few times a year. I always check my plants to avoid invasive and I am getting a nice mix of natives and cultivars.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Kate. I appreciate your thoughtful approach to gardening. I'm more on the "plant collector" end myself, but I'm surprised at how often the plants I choose for garden appeal also turn out to be excellent for wildlife.