Plants with lots of pollen

snowowl Head Gardener Posts: 5,406	Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 12:09:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snowowl on Dec 30, 2008 12:09:53 GMT Hi all next year i am planing to grow a nectar bar in my new boarder. I want lots of bumble bees in my garden and would like some suggestions on what to grow for this purpose. All suggestions gratefully recieved.

Tig
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Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 13:33:00 GMT

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Post by Tig on Dec 30, 2008 13:33:00 GMT

Marigolds were one of the best bee magnets I have grown Snowy. Achillea is very good, and the sunflowers last year had bees on them most days

They seem to like lavender, and the eryngiums too drew quite a crowd

I am trying to grow asclepias tuberosa which also attracts butterflies.

x Tig

Twixt optimist and pessimist the difference is droll, the optimist sees the doughnut whilst the pessimist sees the hole

snowowl
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Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 13:58:45 GMT

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Post by snowowl on Dec 30, 2008 13:58:45 GMT

Thanks Tig i have quite a few lavender cuttings in my GH so i will put all of them in.
I always like to grow marigolds as i did this year but didnt notice to many bees on them but i will put some more in next spring.
I will defo look out for some Achillea to atrract butterflies i didnt have many of those last summer only the cabbage white.
I will be trying for a bee and butterflie garden next summer.

bagpuss Deputy Head Gardener Posts: 1,783	Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 14:11:35 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by bagpuss on Dec 30, 2008 14:11:35 GMT Hi Snowowl You might find the link below useful. It also has some links to other useful bits at the bottom of the page as well. www.gardenersworld.com/plants/features/wildlife-friendly-plants/ Happy New Year to you!

Amo Head Gardener You can take me out of my garden but you can't take my garden out of me. Posts: 3,940	Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 15:31:31 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Amo on Dec 30, 2008 15:31:31 GMT I don't think there was a part of my Cerinthe Major that wasn't covered in bees all the time!!! In fact it was decidedly loud with the buzz!!!

oldmoleskins Admin Posts: 2,819	Plants with lots of pollen Dec 30, 2008 20:09:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by oldmoleskins on Dec 30, 2008 20:09:38 GMT Poring over a new (xmas) herb book, came across Bergamot (monarda didyma) which might fit the bill... it's even 'known' - though I didn't - as Bee Balm. OM.

snowowl Head Gardener Posts: 5,406	Plants with lots of pollen Dec 31, 2008 11:57:54 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snowowl on Dec 31, 2008 11:57:54 GMT Bagpuss Amo and OM you have all given me something to ponder over. Thanks for the suggestions.

Rosefriend
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Plants with lots of pollen Dec 31, 2008 11:58:06 GMT

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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 31, 2008 11:58:06 GMT

My garden seems to be a bee paradise to a certain extent.

Ok - Asters, Foxgloves, Marigolds, Poppies, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Geraniums, Roses, Buddleia's, Thistles, Hollyhocks, Sweet William, Crocuses, Hyacinths, Lavender, Climbing Hydrangeas, Mint, Rosemary and Thyme in particular.

I think there is also a Wild flower collection that you can sow just for bees.

RF

EDIT: Also Reseda Odorata which apparently smells of violets. LNG kindly sent me some seeds - I am really looking forward to sowing them.

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.
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Ladygardener Garden Sage Posts: 58,462	Plants with lots of pollen Jan 1, 2009 10:50:26 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Ladygardener on Jan 1, 2009 10:50:26 GMT SnowOwl, the bees love the purple perenial geraniums too, my ?bowles blue? is covered in them every year. RF, hope they do well for you.
	Go placidly amidst the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

4pygmies
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Plants with lots of pollen Jan 1, 2009 23:59:03 GMT

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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 1, 2009 23:59:03 GMT

Well the bees love all the herb flowers don't they? The plant I always notice is always covered in bees in my garden are the clumps of Anise Hyssop - they seem to prefer that above all others.
It's a lovely plant too - easy to grow from seed, very long flowering until late into Autumn and beautiful purple flowers with gorgeous leaf shape and colouring. And reliably perennial..practically perfick actually!
And if you have room for a fairly large and robust wild plant - bees and butterflies really love the Meadow Cranesbill too.

snowowl Head Gardener Posts: 5,406	Plants with lots of pollen Jan 2, 2009 21:28:03 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by snowowl on Jan 2, 2009 21:28:03 GMT Thanks 4p RF and LNG i will google all you mentioned and i will have lots to choose from. Thank you all for your input and experiance.

grannyjanny Gardener Posts: 261	Plants with lots of pollen Feb 9, 2009 17:55:18 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by grannyjanny on Feb 9, 2009 17:55:18 GMT We visited Arley gardens last year & were amazed at the number of bees on the Veronicastrum. They had it in white & purple. I want to get some for the allotment.