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clematis good for bees
in Talkback
I am wanting to put in a couple of clematis and would like to choose a variety that is attractive to bees. Any suggestions from the wise.
Julie
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My clematis Red Ballon - http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=511 - was full of bees when two swift experts came to see me to advise about nests a couple of years ago. They were astonished as they thought you had to grow wildflowers and weeds to attract bees. They also like my Red Robin - http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=3222 - which flowers earlier and my alba luxurians is buzzing at the mo - http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=561
I reckon any clematis would do as long as it's not a double so avoid things like http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=1843 and http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=580
Hi Julie,
Winter flowering clematis can be shown to fill a 'feeding gap' for bees, especially queens preparing for next year's brood. I posted yesterday a couple of pix of just such a queen bee visiting my "Freckles" clematis in my sheltered West Wales coastal garden..
Others may be able to suggest summer-flowering types which would help at other key times of the year...