Best New Zealand Plants for Bees and Pollinators
There is nothing quite like the sights and sounds of the New Zealand bush. Bird song fills canopies and pollinators like butterflies and bees are in abundance. They flock to the dense native bush to feast on nectar all year round.
But it is no secret that our bees are in danger. MPI reports that New Zealand lost over 109,000 bee colonies just over the winter of 2021. That is 13.6% of all New Zealand bees!
75% of the world’s crops are dependent on pollinators. Our precious bees are absolutely critical to global food production. Yet humans, pesticides, non-organic farming practices, global warming and disease are wiping them out.
The good news is that can do our bit to save the bees.
Planting bee-friendly natives, flowers and other garden delights will bring the bees, butterflies, native birds and pollinators to your garden
Get your garden in full bloom, buzzing with natural pollinators all year round.
Plants for pollinators
New Zealand Jasmine
New Zealand Jasmine, also known as Kaihua. is a fast-growing hardy, an evergreen climber that needs little attention. It grows in shade or full sun and is happy in just about any type of soil, even tolerating frost and can hold its own in tough coastal conditions.
The arrival of the scent of these glorious flowers marks the start of long, balmy days and spring. The abundance of white flowers is the perfect spring bloom to get the bees buzzing in your garden. Plant it in pots on decks or balconies and invite the bees to visit you.
Rātā
Rātā and Pohutukawa trees are iconic New Zealand natives. Rātā bursts into bloom between November and January all over New Zealand. Some trees only flower sporadically between November and January and then prolifically every 3-4 years. This native tree provides a nectar feast to bats, our precious honey bees, other pollinators and lizards who all feed on the sweet nectar.
Did you know that New Zealand bees also make delicious Rātā honey?
Our organic Rātā honey is a light, creamy and mild honey with a unique and subtly salty taste. Try it today!
Rewarewa
This stunning native New Zealand protea is waterwise, hardy, does well in clay soils and is the highest proteas in the world.
They are ideal for home gardens as they don’t get too big but grow up to 30m high. The stunning red flowers are a delight for pollinators, insects, native birds like silvereye, korimako and Tui as well as geckos who come to feast on the nectar.
They are easy-care evergreen trees with flowers that form between October and December every year.
Mānuka
No bee-friendly garden is complete without the addition of one of the most famous New Zealand natives, the Mānuka tree.
This robust native is a champion in difficult-to-grow areas of the garden and can tolerate wind and harsh coastal conditions. It does just as well in a pot as a hedge or holding its own on a rugged hillside.
Every year from October to January the flowers bloom on the Mānuka tree. In some regions, the flowering window is very small. But the bees can’t resist Mānuka nectar and will feast on every last drop.
Mānuka honey is one of the most coveted honey in the world and our organic manuka honey is packed with immune boosting and healing properties.
New Zealand flax
Flax flowers literally pump with pollen and nectar throughout the spring and summer. The native birds and bees flock to the delicious high-protein pollen. Flax is another hardy native that can grow in any environment with a strong root system that is a favourite for stabilising areas prone to erosion.
Plant flax near a garden or bedroom window and get a front-row seat to your very own pollinator show of birds, butterflies and bees. Watch them come and go throughout the summer, filling their bellies to the brim with delicious nectar and pollen.
When you choose organic, you cast your vote for a sustainable future for our bees and their environment.
Did you know that out of 6735 registered beekeepers in New Zealand, just nine are certified organic? TranzAlpine Honey is one of the nine certified organic beekeepers and we are proud to have been certified organic since 1993.
The Great Kiwi Bee Count
Take part in the Great Kiwi Bee count hosted by NZ Gardener Magazine – the annual survey of New Zealand bees. It takes just 2 minutes to complete the survey. Help apiculture scientists learn more about how our bees are doing in New Zealand.
Discover wild, organic native New Zealand honey
Manuka honey is not all that New Zealand’s honeybees are famous for, there is some fantastic native bush honey made by our bees every year.
Delightful native organic bush honey with nectar foraged from our native bush and trees – chosen by our bees for us each year. Packed with all the goodness and nutrients of organic bush honey, each with its unique flavour profile.
Try Kanuka, Kamahi, White Clover, Rata, Bush honeys and more. All our honey is 100% certified organic and has been since 1993.
When you buy any TranzAlpine Honey product, you get complete peace of mind knowing that you are playing your part in protecting the bees and natural pollinators so that we may all live in harmony for generations to come.
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Posted in Biodiversity, Organic
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