Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster Turned Their Garden Into a Bee Paradise – and Experts Say There’s So Much We Can All Learn From It

Rod Stewart isn’t just rocking out in the recording studio; he’s also quietly tending to one very busy garden. According to reports from The Daily Star, he and his wife Penny have taken up beekeeping, transforming their outdoor space into a full-blown bee oasis that’s now home to an estimated 320,000 bees. That’s a lot of buzzing for one backyard.

Penny told the publication, “With our mature fruit trees, other native plants, and surrounding farmers' land, our garden is the perfect home for bees. We have eight hives plus a shed for extracting and storing honey.”

The idea behind it is something any gardener can embrace – and you don't even need to take up backyard beekeeping to do it. Instead, create a bee-friendly garden, and the bees will come flocking.

Start With the Right Plants (This Matters More Than You Think)

While flowers and bees naturally go hand in hand – and flowers are essential – not all blooms are created equal. Stephen Buchmann, author of What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees, says native plants are key.

He explains: “Mostly using local (native) flowering plants that are adapted to local soils and climate… These don't need any TLC like something you might get from a nursery at a big box store.”

Buchmann adds that many nursery plants can actually do more harm than good. “Often, those nursery plants have systemic insecticides in the soil or in the plant tissues. These can end up in floral nectar or pollen and poison bees and other pollinators.”

Modern hybrid plants may look cool and flashy, but they’ve been bred for appearance rather than usefulness. As Buchmann puts it: “Plant breeders have selected showy plants… and they may not even have pollen or nectar.”

Instead of hybrids, look for:

• Native plants from local nurseries
• Heirloom flower varieties like cosmos
• Old-fashioned fragrant flowers (fragrance is a good clue they still have nectar)

If you’re starting with seeds, try a wildflower seed mix, like this Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix from Amazon. The pack includes white yarrow, columbine, New England aster, shasta daisy, sweet William, purple coneflower, and more.

Choose Flowers Bees Actually Love

Some flowers are beloved universally, by bees and gardeners alike. Buchmann says, “I would suggest sunflowers (genus Helianthus) as a good, safe bet that attracts a lot of diverse pollinators.” Another standout, he says, is the genus Phacelia. Sunflower seeds are available year-round, like this non-GMO heirloom mix pack.

Buchamnn also states that color plays a huge role, citing blue and yellow flowers as the top attractors for bees.

Plant in Groups, Not Singles

Buchmann also points out some of the most common mistakes gardeners make – including one trap many beginners fall into. “It’s best to plant groups of flowers, say three to five individuals in a clump,” he explains. “That’s much better than planting single plants if you want to attract pollinators.”

Clumping flowers together makes them easier for bees to spot and more efficient to feed from. Think of it as creating a little bee buffet, rather than scattering single snacks around the yard.

Bees Need More Than Flowers

Food is only one part of the equation, as bees also need to drink, nest, and rest. Buchmann says, “Bees need more than food plants. A water source, often mud. Bare sandy soil for nesting areas.”

To help with this, try:

• Adding pollinator water stations, like these ceramic Bee Cups, available on Amazon.
• Don’t over-mulch every single inch of soil you see.
• Allow your garden to stay a little “wild”.

Buchmann also mentions shelter, saying, “Create Bee Hotels… drill holes (usually 7–8mm diameter) in a block of wood, 3 to 5 inches deep.”

If DIY isn’t your thing, you can buy a ready-made bee hotel from Amazon, like this one, which is also waterproof.

Plan for Blooms All Season Long

According to Buchmann, consistency is key. He says, “Try to have staggered blooms, so that something is blooming in nearly every month.” Early spring and late fall flowers are especially important, as this time of year is when food sources are most scarce.

While Rod Stewart may have taken his bee-keeping habit to superstar levels, his garden proves one thing: if you design with nature in mind, your rewards multiply, no matter how big your space is.