Surviving the Summer Dearth; Part Two

Helping Our Honey Bees (and Other Pollinators) Through the Hottest Months

When the heat cranks up in North Carolina, and the wildflowers fade, our bees can use all the help they can get. In Part One, we talked about buckwheat as a quick-blooming, bee-friendly crop. This time, we’re adding another little-known summer hero to the lineup: borage.

Meet Borage: The Summer Superstar

Borage — also known as “starflower” — is a hardy annual that thrives in hot weather and blooms in about eight weeks. Its bright blue, star-shaped flowers aren’t just beautiful; they’re a magnet for pollinators. While our honey bees love it, bumblebees go absolutely wild for borage.

Why Borage is a Must-Plant

Another great perk? Borage keeps producing new flowers for weeks, offering a steady nectar supply during the most brutal stretch of the summer. Additionally, it self-seeds easily, meaning that once you plant it, you may see it return the following year with minimal effort.