It is commonly held that dandelions are the "first" food for bees in the springs. This is a myth. In early spring bees will visit tree blossoms and other flowers before they visit dandelions. In fact, while bees will occasionally drop dandelion flowers, they are preferential to hundreds of other plants. Evolution has likely driven this preference as dandelions lack four essential amino acids that bees require. If one seeks to provide options for bees, planting lavender, heather or hyacinth in flower beds will do much more than will letting dandelions grow in the lawn.