There there have been lots of bees and hover flies in my garden this summer, along with various other insects, though not so many butterflies and ladybirds yet. The hover flies absolutely loved the blossom on my olive tree, which has now faded, so they’ve transferred their affections to the lilies, pepper blossom and tomato blossom.
Well, after planting lots of recommended plants I can tell you which one has ended up being the biggest success lately.... the common privet ! I didn't have time to keep my hedges trimmed and then when I saw flower buds I decided to leave them for the bees before trimming them away. Now my neglected hedges have a constant buzzing sound and are visited by all sorts of pollinators including butterflies and honey bees . I've never been so happy with my boring hedge.
Well, after planting lots of recommended plants I can tell you which one has ended up being the biggest success lately.... the common privet ! I didn't have time to keep my hedges trimmed and then when I saw flower buds I decided to leave them for the bees before trimming them away. Now my neglected hedges have a constant buzzing sound and are visited by all sorts of pollinators including butterflies and honey bees . I've never been so happy with my boring hedge.
I also had never realised how popular privet flowers are with honeybees in particular until about a month ago when our privet plants began to flower. It was such a beautiful sight and welcome sound!
Loads here too- they are all over the Alliums, Scabious, Verbena and Thyme etc. More than last year definitely and more hoverflies too. I wonder where your bees are? Are there any crops in flower nearby- maybe they are in that field?
I'm in Kent. Last year I planted for bees and I was rewarded this year by my garden being alive with bees. I also had a bumblebee nest beneath the patio. It's been wonderful. However, all activity seems to have stopped in the past week or two. Do bees take a break when the weather is cooler?
My garden is still full of bees. I can hear them from my greenhouse with the door open. They were all over the cotoneasters, now finishing, Weigela Bristol Ruby, a huge bush, all the many different geraniums. They're moving on now to the climbing Hydrangea, but they may have to spread out more after that, as some of the other flowers are still running late. Plenty of wild ones though
Honey bees will disappear as soon as a more tempting crop flowers. For example, blackberries are favourites and even though your garden is full of delicious nectar and pollen rich flowers, the ungrateful bees will go to the bramble flowers as soon as they begin to flower!
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The hover flies absolutely loved the blossom on my olive tree, which has now faded, so they’ve transferred their affections to the lilies, pepper blossom and tomato blossom.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.