As the weather heats up, you’ll start to notice more activity from our little striped friends who are busily buzzing around the garden, visiting our gorgeous array of spring and summer flowers.

But did you know that bees are in severe decline and since 1900, we have lost 13 species of bee, with a further 36 threatened with extinction?

Bees are fantastic pollinators – particularly honeybees who are responsible for around 80% of the world’s pollination – and they are crucial to our economy. Bees pollinate the food we eat, which would cost UK farmers around £1.8 billion a year if they weren’t around to do the pollination job.

From fruit and vegetables to almonds and coffee, bees have a huge effect on our lives and eating habits. Can you believe that without bees, in 25 years’ time we may no longer be able to grow delicious UK fruits like apples and strawberries?

Bees also pollinate many trees and flowers that are homes to wildlife, so they are an integral part of most ecosystems.

There are still many things that we can do in our gardens and outdoor spaces to help bees survive.

Whether you have a garden, allotment, balcony, or windowsill, we can all play our part by planting a range of flowers rich in pollen and nectar that flower during March and October.

Here are just a few simple ideas to start you off:

• Bees love garden flowers and native wildflowers, such as foxgloves, geraniums primrose, buddleia, and marigolds, so why not start planting them in your borders or tubs outside your front door?
• Herbs such as mint, rosemary, chives and lavender are high in nectar and entice bees with their bright colour and scent. These are perfect for growing in pots or planters on your patio so you too can soak up the fragrance.
• Wild strawberries and fruit trees are another great way of attracting bees to your garden.
• How about creating a bee house with the children this summer?

Whether you plant one or ten bee friendly flowers or plants in your beds, plant pots or window boxes, you will be helping with the future of our bees.

What will you plant?

Happy gardening!