July Bee the Change e-news

This month we're excited to share a very special blog with you, taking an in-depth look at our RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden. We hope you'll 'bee' inspired to try out some of our bee-friendly ideas and planting suggestions on your own patch.

Bees' Needs Week also takes place from 10-16 July! If you're enjoying the free resources in this newsletter, could you make a small donation to help our charity continue our vital work creating habitat, conducting scientific research, and inspiring more people across the UK to take action for bumblebees? With your support, we can have an even bigger impact. 📈

9 ways to Bee the Change, inspired by our award-winning garden!

We're still buzzing about the amazing reaction to our Bee the Change exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where it won a silver-gilt award.

From a gorgeous flower border to nesting habitat, a vertical 'food wall' to wildflower-rich grass, our garden packed some serious benefits for bumblebees into a small space. 💚

Now you can discover how to create a similar space at home (including the all-important planting list), in our NEW blog! 👇

Bee the Change goes to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! - Bee The Change | Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Simple ways to help bumblebees in July

Keep your plants watered to support nectar production How to help bumblebees in summer - Bee The Change | Bumblebee Conservation Trust

It may surprise you that bumblebees don't really drink water, even in hot weather! Instead they generally get all the hydration they need feeding on nectar from flowers. 🌺

Plants can only keep producing nutritious nectar if they are well watered. In summer, try watering at cooler times of day, and at the base of the plant, to reduce evaporation and help roots make the most of the water. Read our summer blog for more top tips! ☀️

Pick a plant from our July planting guide July planting guide - Bee The Change | Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Our monthly guides make it easy to add pollen and nectar-rich plants to your space throughout the year, whether you have a garden or just a window box!
Our top picks for July are wild marjoram/oregano, columbine/aquilegia, sea holly, and wallflower 'Bowles's Mauve'. Plant now, then simply wait for them to flower. Download your FREE guide here for full advice. 🌼

If you find an exhausted bumblebee, think 'flowers first' Should I feed bumblebees sugar-water? - Bumblebee Conservation Trust

If you notice a bumblebee which has been on the ground a long time (at least 45 minutes), it's tempting to offer sugar-water to give it an energy boost - but hold on a second! ✋

Nectar from flowers is the much better and healthier option to help tired bumblebees recover. (It is after all their natural food source.) The best thing to do is move the stranded bumblebee gently onto a nearby bee-friendly flower if you're comfortable to do so. 🌸