One recent purchase that the bees highly approve of is Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Mesa Yellow'. Its numerous large, soft, bright yellow flowers are both striking and big nectar/pollen sources. The bumblebees are also liking the Polemonium caeruleum / Jacobs ladder I picked up at the same time.
On the other hand, absolutely nothing seems to be interested in the summer phlox I acquired.
With Autumn truly here (boy it was cold this morning) the bees are now tucking into the ivy. It’s a shame I can’t post a video because it looks alive! As well as the bees there are hundreds of other flying insects
Mahonia will be next. This corner is a winter delight for insect friends
This is the first time in my long life that I've noticed sleeping bees,you can actually stroke the bigger ones. Now I've cut down the lavender they are making the most of the later Penstemons,still flowers on the French Lavender for them,as I'm not sure when to prune it? Anyone??
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
Teucrium cahemaedrys ( Wall germander) I have spent hours watching the solitary carder bee trying to defend the flowers against others bees who visit, he must be worn out by the end of all the battles he has!
A gardener's work is never at an end - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
The ivy (Hedera helix) flowers here are smothered in all sorts of insects whenever the sun is out. It's a blummin' thug but is invaluable to wildlife as the flowering continues over the winter months.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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On the other hand, absolutely nothing seems to be interested in the summer phlox I acquired.
Mahonia will be next. This corner is a winter delight for insect friends