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.

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.

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.

If you’re looking to help your local pollinators — or just want to see your garden buzzing with life — try planting a patch of borage this summer. Your bees (and the bumblebees) will thank you!

🐝 Stay tuned for Part Three of “Surviving the Summer Dearth,” where we’ll highlight another late-season bloom that keeps our hives happy in the heat.