DIY backyard landscaping--Allergic to bees & no hornets. Any ideas?

There are lots of great backyard landscape ideas here:

Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk

What a nice big backyard, you'll have lots of fun designing and landscaping. Thank you for the picture and letting us know what zone you are in, that's a huge help.Looks like you will have long hot summers.

Here is a link to plants that do not attract bees and a few facts on what not to plant to keep in mind, although you have already researched this on the Internet, you might find this brief link helpful:

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/plants-dont-attract-bees-48439.html

It is good you realize that we need bees and they are beneficial to the environment, but I don't know how realistic it is to expect them to just go to 1 plant or bush and just stay there, they are nomadic in search of flowers. Also are you thinking of annuals or perennials or a combination? What I would suggest is you take your situation to a master gardener through your county's extension and ask their opinion on what to plant. They have extensive knowledge.

Bees can be found on any plant at any one time, so don't think of the fact that you saw bees on a plant that they are attracted to that plant. Flowers are going to be more likely than foliage to attract bees. Select foliage in different colors, with a variety of shades of greens and whites. I agree with others, find a landscaper or master gardener to help you.

Marie

You should go to your local nursery and show them photos of your yard and tell them how much sun or shade you get, etc. They can tell you exactly what trees or plants will work in your state and zone. As far as grass, you can plant fescue from seed that stays green year round or go with sod. Good luck

Hello. for the best local professional advice

I would highly suggest contacting your cooperative extension. These offices are manned by volunteer master gardeners on site there waiting to answer the communities questions that know your local situation quite well.

Ours offeres many resource options including subject experts, printed handouts and university support.

Master gardeners are required to volunteer back designated hours ( plus continuing education) each year to maintain MG certification -this community outreach and education is their goal.

If your office is closed....there Might be alternative online venues like Ask an Expert as well as emailing your local master gardeners extension office for their

guidance.... in a non contact manner.

Hi Marie, I would use a mix of trees and shrubs. They will be less likely to attract bees and hornets. You can use a variety of height and shapes to create texture and depth. Your local garden centre would be able to tell you which ones will adjust well to the climate you live in.

You might consider going with desert landscaping since anything that has pollen will attract some bees.

Add color and texture by utilizing things like a bird bath, gazing ball, water fountain, and other items. Succulents in bright colorful pots would be great since you are somewhere that is hot, unless you get too much rain.

Marie, another idea is there are a lot of free designs online you can find to upload a photo and then you can add plants, trees, shrubs, etc to see how your yard would look and it would give you more of an idea of what you want to do- you could add a patio or low deck, you could add a seating area, or fire pit.

Non-flowering shrubs are your best bet. Try some bamboo in pots and burning bush that turns orange in the fall.

There is some good information here:

https://www.loghouseplants.com/blogs/greengardening/2014/10/how-to-bee-free-in-your-garden/

There are some tropical plants with orange/red leaves but no flower.

Hi Marie: Have you considered fake plants? That may be an alternative for you, or maybe Hollyhocks. Bees are not attracted to many types of trees, such as elm, birch and oak, or to conifers, ground covers or shrubs. Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice if you do not want to attract bees to your yard, as bees are not attracted to them and they add beauty to the landscape. Sedges (Carex spp.) make striking additions to water gardens, rock gardens, and as borders while producing insignificant flowers that are not attractive to bees. But, not to frighten you, there are wasps that live in the ground. Here is a site that tells about them. https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-get-rid-of-ground-wasps/ I only bring it up because you say you are allergic to them. I'm still scratching, and have a hole, where a wasp stung me 2 months ago :( I had ground wasps twice, and it wasn't too hard to get rid of them, but you have to do it right and at the right time. Good luck

Unlimited ideas here. Gravel or concrete walk ways or patio, Paving stones, Decorative planter pots with seasonal or perennials,....

Bees can be found on any plant at any one time, so don't think of the fact that you saw bees on a plant that they are attracted to that plant. Flowers are going to be more likely than foliage to attract bees.