I can't say that l've noticed them struggling that much @SalixGold I wouldn't say it's particularly easy for them but they do seem pretty determined and l wouldn't describe it as a struggle. I do have lots of shrubby salvias in other beds at the front of the house which are alive with bees, so it may be that they save the antirrhinums for when they fancy a change and a bit of a challenge.
The bee in my photo completely disappeared inside the flower. If l hadn't seen it going in l wouldn't have known it was there. Very entertaining watching its little furry backside reappear .
Yes, it's interesting to see the bees bite into the side of shrubby salvia flowers to gain entry - adaptive genius.
Birdsfoot trefoil has been a revelation this year - so easy for bees to access. Perennial, long flowering. I think it would work well in hanging baskets - trailing over the the edge. For small beds or anywhere else it would be great. I understand it can take some shade. And the plants might add nitrogen to the soil, if the plants are left in the ground (nto cut and removed) and seeds are allowed to fall.
Thank you @plant pauper. I'm also a plantaholic who buys 1 of everything and "rams it in"! There is a lot less choice in Dordogne than the UK. Very seasonal here. I went to a GC the other day to buy a pink perennial and was told it was the wrong time of year, they would have perennials in in March. I used to bring back plants from the UK, no longer possible thank to B**x*t.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
@Busy-Lizzie your garden does indeed look colourful, and a joy to be in. We're planning to move to a house with a much larger garden, but I can't imagine it'll ever be as bright and beautiful as yours. My wife and I have very different ideas, basically. Seeing pictures of other gardens here, is so uplifting and helpful. Thank you.
Antirrhinums must be at their very best now @AnniD, a stunning display set off by the low box hedge. Gorgeous back garden too. Well done on all that hard work.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
Those antirrhinums look gorgeous @AnniD. I’ve got one that has appeared in my front border (I didn’t plant it, the birds probably did). It seems quite happy along side the penstemon. I wonder if it will spread - I’m guessing it will.
Feels like it hasn't stopped raining for the whole month here. We're getting some hard landscaping done so have been using that as an excuse but anticipate a frantic weeding/mulching/replanting fest this autumn.
Yes it is. @plant pauper. That's the whatever can survive in the ants'' city bed. Blue penstemon and the plant that means big head or something that that tharLG gave me and stuff like that.
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I wouldn't say it's particularly easy for them but they do seem pretty determined and l wouldn't describe it as a struggle.
I do have lots of shrubby salvias in other beds at the front of the house which are alive with bees, so it may be that they save the antirrhinums for when they fancy a change and a bit of a challenge.
The bee in my photo completely disappeared inside the flower. If l hadn't seen it going in l wouldn't have known it was there.
Very entertaining watching its little furry backside reappear
We're planning to move to a house with a much larger garden, but I can't imagine it'll ever be as bright and beautiful as yours. My wife and I have very different ideas, basically. Seeing pictures of other gardens here, is so uplifting and helpful.
Thank you.
Gorgeous back garden too. Well done on all that hard work.
Feels like it hasn't stopped raining for the whole month here. We're getting some hard landscaping done so have been using that as an excuse but anticipate a frantic weeding/mulching/replanting fest this autumn.