Plants To Attract Bees

[devilspawn]

Are there any particular plants that are good for bees? I want to try to plant some that will help keep the bee population alive. I have some that come into my garden, but want to try and help more if I can.
I only have a small garden, so what plants I can cope with will need to be in pots majoritively, though I have a couple of spaces that can accomodate small bushes if there are some that are good.
I am not a good gardener so dont suggest anything that needs my utmost attention please.
Look forward to your words of wisdom :)

[margeatlarge]

The Forsythia ( Vivid Yellow Flowers) now flowering in many front gardens is a good early shrub with loads of pollen and nectar. I also grow lilac, geraniums and sedum later in the season.

[Arthurian]

Remember for Butterflies you NEED Caterpillars, For Red Admirals you need 'Stinging Nettles'!!.
For Bumble Bees [Bombus Terrestris] You need to construct Nests or Small Hives for the Momma Bees to produce the next generation. See Internet fo simple Diagram.

[grannyracer]

Don't even think about summer bedding plants! They are F1 hybrids and have nothing to offer bees. Wild flowers are the best. Plant scabious, centaurum and ox eye daisies etc. they should help

[Auraowl]

I know why not buy a hive and breed a whole new family of bees? If we all did this then maybe we can keep the poor little bees going as a lot of people think they're only trick is honey but i saw a program which said whole eco systems rely on bees and other creatures

[carolegif]

Been painting the decking in the garden this week, and I noticed that there were a lot of bees buzzing about. I hope this us a good sign that they are thriving this year.

[hellywelly4]

Mazie - I have looked for bergamot devilspawn and can't find it - do you know the 'proper' name - I'm not being rude!! Thanks, Helen

[Auraowl]

What's to blame about their declining numbers? Is it the hornets? I saw a program where something like 5 hornets killed a whole hive of something like 30,000 bees. Very sad, is there anyway to put poison down that only kills hornets but not bees? Then again the hornets have young larvae waiting for them to come back to their hive so that wouldn't be fair on them either:(

What can we do?

[devilspawn]

Thanks to all that contributed, I have now purchased:
Perovskia
2 types of Buddleja
Verbena
Weigela
Skimmia japonica
English Lavender
and just for show a Poppy
Let the bees come and feast :)

[devilspawn]

Just thought it would be nice to give you an update on the bees and butterflies in the garden. Seen absolutely loads of bees, and most impressed with the butterflies, especially the Peacock Butterflies.
I have also put in a small water feature for the bees, but only ever caught one once drinking from it. However the young birds appreciate it so its all good.
Photos I hope you will like:
Peacock Butterfly: http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac184/Devilspawn9/20130801_174010_zpsedff946d.jpg
Red Admiral: http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac184/Devilspawn9/20130813_112314_zpse0c7d5f3.jpg
Bee drinking: http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac184/Devilspawn9/20130813_123930_zps6650ddac.jpg
Many Thanks to all for their suggestions :)