The Gentle Buzz of Summer
"Happiness? The colour of it must be spring green."
- Frances Mayes
June, 2025
The other day, in that window of early morning calm, I took my tea into the garden and a little buff-tailed bumblebee that was hovering around the foxgloves made me stop - there’s something intriguing about bees and the way move, the hum of its wings, unhurried yet purposeful.
Why do Bee’s matter?
It’s easy to take bees for granted, especially when they’re such a familiar part of the garden. But here in the UK, while honeybees get most of the glory, it’s actually our wild, often overlooked bumblebees and solitary bees who do much of the quiet work in our gardens
We have around 270 species of bee – did you know there are 25 types of bumblebee and over 200 types of solitary bees
We need these wild bees for pollinating garden plants, hedgerows, wildflowers and crops. From the chunky, furry garden bumblebee to the tiny, glinting metallic green of a leafcutter bee, each plays a quiet but essential role in keeping the countryside in bloom
The Rhythm of the Countryside
For me, bees are part of the countryside’s natural rhythm. Their reappearance in early spring is a welcome sign that things are stirring again after winter’s stillness. By summer, they’re everywhere - darting between rosemary and lavender, diving headfirst into foxgloves and emerging again dusted in pollen, or resting on a warm stone path.
They’re also part of the countryside soundtrack: that familiar, comforting buzz that weaves through long grass and borders. It reminds me to slow down, to notice, and to appreciate the quiet industry of these small creatures.
How We Can Help
You don’t need a wildflower meadow to support bees - even the smallest garden, courtyard or balcony can offer refuge.
Here are a few simple ways to help: -
Plant for them – choose nectar-rich flowers that bloom from early spring through to autumn.
Grow in clusters – bees prefer patches of the same flower type so they can forage efficiently.
Let it go a little wild – leave a patch of nettles, brambles or long grass; they’re surprisingly valuable.
Avoid pesticides – even organic options can be harmful to pollinators.
Leave water out – a shallow dish with pebbles gives bees a place to rest and drink.
Even planting up a few pots with lavender or herbs can make a difference. It’s about creating small pockets of help and habitat.
Here’s a list of easy-to-find, bee-friendly plants for UK gardens, courtyards and containers
You can click here to get your free, printable version
Early Spring
- Crocus - Snowdrops (Galanthus) - Hellebores - Lungwort (Pulmonaria) - Mahonia
Spring to Early Summer
- Foxglove (Digitalis) - Alliums - Chives - Wallflowers (Erysimum)
Summer
- Lavender - Borage - Marjoram - Cosmos - Scabious - Hollyhocks
Late Summer to Autumn
- Sedum - Verbena bonariensis - Michaelmas daisies (Aster) - Single-flowered dahlias
Wildflowers & Native Plants
- Red clover - Birdsfoot trefoil - Cornflowers - Field poppies - Ox-eye daisies
For all you Bee fans, why not take a look at our Bertie Bee Collection, you’ll find the perfect treat or gift for a loved one - just click below