When bees awaken from winter hibernation, they are literally starving. They need the protein-rich nectar from early blooming flower bulb smorgasbords to survive and thrive in spring. Select some of their early blooming yummy favorites: Eranthis hyemalis, Galanthus and Crocus. They also love nectar-rich later bloomers like Species Tulips, Hyacinths, Anemone blanda, Camassia, Chionodoxa, Corydalis, Eremurus, Fritillaria, Hyacinthoides, Muscari, Ornithogalum, Scilla and Allium.

Essential to the world's food supply, bees are responsible for 80% of insect crop pollination. Their eyesight is fine-tuned for purple, violet and blue hued flowers and ultra-violet iridescence that reveals nectar bonanzas on flowers of other colors, like white and yellow. Help feed the bees by planting early flowering bulb gardens free from harmful pesticides.

Dutch flower bulbs are grown in accord with the most stringent floriculture and environmental restrictions in all of Europe. Dutch flower bulbs are bee-friendly: they contain no neonicotinoid residue whatsoever.

Pictured, left to right, top to bottom: Allium aflatunense Purple Sensation, Allium unifolium, Eranthis hyemalis, Allium Pinball Wizard, Allium siculum bulgaricum, Crocus tommasinianus Ruby Giant, Tulipa turkestanica, Hyacinthoides hispanica Excelsior, Camassia leichtlinii Caerulea, Hyacinthus orientalis Woodstock, Crocus vernus Flower Record, Narcissus Bridal Crown, Allium Ambassador, Crocus vernus Pickwick, Camassia leichtlinii Pink Stars, Allium sphaerocephalon.