Next: 20 May 2027
World Bee Day
A United Nations day for bees and other pollinators, a reason to plant flowers that feed them.
What happens
The United Nations made 20 May World Bee Day in 2017 at the proposal of Slovenia. The date is the birthday of Anton Janša, a Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping, born in 1734. The day draws attention to the insects that carry pollen between flowers and so make much of the world's fruit and seed possible. For gardeners the message is practical: grow simple, open flowers rich in nectar, have something in bloom from early spring to late autumn, and leave a corner unmown.
The flowers
Also part of it, and being written: Lavandula (Lavender, a long-flowering favourite of bees.), Phacelia tanacetifolia (Sown by farmers in strips as bee forage.).
Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "World Bee Day" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Borage: Jengod, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- White clover: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0, source