Having a separate section of ‘edibles’ of value to bees may seem a little odd, because when you think about it any plant that produces a fruit needs to be pollinated. I have included this list, however, because as well as containing the obvious suspects like apples, strawberries, beans and squashes, it also includes some which are a little less obvious, but will still be attractive to bees. This is particularly true of those vegetables which we normally harvest before they flower, like radishes and onions. If you let these produce flowers (which in vegetable circles is known as ‘bolting’), however, you will be surprised at just how many insects they will attract.
You will note that I have broken with my rule of giving Latin names only in this list. The reason for this is that some ‘edibles’, especially vegetables, are universally known by their common names. However, I have, where appropriate, given the Latin name in case you wish to look up the plant elsewhere in the book.
Fruits
| Apple | Malus domestica | ||
| Blackberry | Rubus fruticosus (page 23) | ||
| Blackcurrant | Ribes nigrum | ||
| Cherry | Prunus avium | ||
| Gooseberry | Ribes uva-crispa var. reclinatum | ||
| Medlar | Mespilus germanica | ||
| Pear | Pyrus communis | ||
| Plum | Prunus domestica | ||
| Raspberry | Rubus idaeus | ||
| Redcurrant | Ribes rubrum | ||
| Strawberry | Fragaria x ananassa (page 21) | ||
| Loganberry | Rubus x loganobaccus | ||
| Jostaberry | Various but the Royal Horticultural Society lists it as Ribes x culverwellii |
Nuts
| Hazel | Corylus avellana |
| Walnuts | Juglans sp. |
Vegetables
Asparagus
Broad beans
Broccoli
Cabbage
Calabrese
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chicory
Courgettes
Cucumbers
Florence fennel
French beans
Kale
Leeks
Marrows
Onions
Parsnips
Pumpkins
Radishes
Runner beans
Salsify
Swedes
Turnips