Why the first bees need your help

On a mild February morning, a queen bumblebee may wake and search for nectar. Honeybees might break cluster on a sunny day. Very little is flowering. Winter aconite and snowdrops offer something, but the buffet is thin. That is where crocus, hellebore and pulmonaria earn their keep. They bridge the gap between winter and the first fruit blossoms. A single crocus can provide a meal; a drift can support a colony. The more early nectar and pollen you offer, the better your local bees cope with unpredictable spring weather.

Crocus: the first big nectar hit

Crocus are the workhorses of early spring. They open wide in sunshine, offering both nectar and pollen. Bees love them because the flowers are shallow and easy to work. Plant corms in autumn, ideally in well-drained soil that does not sit wet. Full sun is best. You can naturalise them in a lawn, but do not mow until the leaves have died back in late May. If you must mow earlier, leave patches. For containers, use a gritty compost and plant 7–10 cm deep, 5–8 cm apart.

Good choices include Crocus tommasinianus, which seeds freely and shrugs off rough weather, and Crocus chrysanthus cultivars in cream, yellow and bronze. Crocus vernus is larger and more formal. Plant in groups of at least twenty corms for impact. A sunny bank or border edge works well. Squirrels may dig them up, so cover with mesh or plant among perennials. After flowering, let foliage yellow before tidying; the leaves feed the corm for next year.

Hellebores: quiet giants of the winter garden

Hellebores flower when little else dares. Helleborus niger, the Christmas rose, can open in December; Helleborus orientalis, the Lenten rose, follows from February to April. Their nodding flowers hide nectar and pollen from rain, but bees still find them. A queen bumblebee will push inside, dusting herself with pollen. To make access easier, plant hellebores on a slight slope or in a raised bed, so the flowers face upwards. You can also gently tilt a bloom towards the sun.

They prefer dappled shade and moist but well-drained soil. Add leaf mould when planting. In late winter, cut back old, spotted leaves to reduce disease and reveal the flowers. Wear gloves, as all parts are toxic if eaten. Hellebores are slow to establish but long-lived. Once settled, they will seed around, giving more flowers for bees. Divide large clumps in early autumn if you want to spread them further.

Pulmonaria: the bee favourite with spotted leaves

Pulmonaria, or lungwort, is a woodland plant that flowers from late February into April. The flowers open pink and turn blue as they age, which signals to bees which ones still hold nectar. That colour change is a helpful sign for pollinators. Pulmonaria officinalis and Pulmonaria saccharata are both excellent. They thrive in shade, even dry shade once established, and their spotted leaves add interest after the flowers finish.

Early bees such as the hairy-footed flower bee rely on pulmonaria. Plant it near a sunny path or under deciduous shrubs. Keep soil cool and humus-rich. Cut back old leaves after flowering to encourage growth and reduce mildew. Divide clumps every three or four years. Pulmonaria does not like to dry out in its first summer, so water during dry spells.

Planting for a continuous early larder

To support bees from February to May, combine these three with other early flowers. Aim for a succession, so there is always something open. Consider these companions:

• Winter aconite – bright yellow, flowers in January and February.
• Snowdrops – early nectar and pollen, best in drifts under trees.
• Mahonia – fragrant yellow spikes in late winter, a magnet for early bumblebees.
• Willow – catkins provide masses of pollen in March and April.
• Dandelion – leave a few in a wild corner; they are a vital early source.

Practical care for a bee-friendly spring

Plant in drifts rather than single specimens; bees find patches of colour more easily. Choose single flowers over doubles, which often hide nectar. Site plants in a sunny, sheltered spot, ideally south or west facing. Provide a shallow dish of water with pebbles. Avoid pesticides on flowering plants. Control slugs with barriers or night patrols, not pellets.

After flowering, let leaves die down naturally; bulbs store energy for next year. For hellebores and pulmonaria, tidy only dead foliage. Mulch with compost or leaf mould in autumn. In cold snaps, do not worry if flowers collapse. The key is to have something open whenever a bee ventures out. Even a few pots on a balcony can make a difference. Crocus in a window box, hellebore by a door, pulmonaria in a shady corner – together they turn a spring garden into a lifeline. Start small and watch the bees arrive.