Choosing landscaping/ bee concerns

8 years ago

We are relandscaping our front yard, and the landscaper suggested salvia as one of the plants in the design. We have young children and are worried about too many bees as our kids play close to this area. Looking for recommendations for a plant option in lieu of salvia. I love it but not worth the influx in bees. FYI - we have a mostly shaded area where these will be planted.

Featured Answer

laceyvail 6A, WV

8 years ago

And when bees are gathering pollen they are extremely unaggressive. I've worked for years--over 50--around them, gently pushing them aside sometimes while I cut back something. I've never been stung. Not once.

And your landscaper should know that salvias in general (with the exception of S. koyame and S. forsskaolei, neither of which are likely to be planted by a landscaper) don't like shady areas.

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Comments (8)

Bri Bosh
8 years ago
Teach your kids not to touch the bees!
Kim Q
8 years ago
Bees are our friends and need some love right now! My 4 year old is totally fine around bees, no issues.
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kootenaycapable
8 years ago
The bees won't be an issue if they aren't threatened. We have fruit trees that you can actually hear buzzing when they are in bloom. there has never been a sting from them.
Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)
8 years ago
Unless your kids are allergic I wouldn’t worry. I have bees all over my garden and the clover in the lawn. My kids, 9 and 12, have never been stung and are in the garden a lot. Nor have I. Bees are not aggressive. You leave them alone, they’ll do likewise. Bees are life!
Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
8 years ago
Salvia is not that huge of a bee magnet. It will be okay. If your children are allergic, your concerns are valid, but not to be heightened by the salvia.
cforgue
Original Author
8 years ago
We have bee allergies in our family, which is why I asked the question. I’m all for saving the bees. If anyone has any pretty alternatives, I would love to hear!
l pinkmountain
8 years ago
Bees stick to plants. They really don't fly around in other areas much, they are too busy, they have better things to do. Unless it is right by a doorway, I wouldn't worry about it. I work around kids and flower gardens loaded with bees, and have never had a kid get stung from that. Ground bees and carpenter bees are what I would worry about. And wasps, which don't hang out much around flowers.