Native Pollinator

A bumblebee forages in the lungwort (pulmonaria).

3 Reasons Not to Kill "Weeds" in your Lawn

Did you know that honey bees love ground ivy, the small purple flowers you see here? Some call it an invasive plant that will take over your garden if you let it. But I view it as a great ground cover that not only provides forage for my bees, but also eliminates the necessity of mowing that part of the lawn. And I spent no money and did no planting or cultivating to get it there. It blooms well into the first part of summer.

Dandelions are the first big nectar and pollen plant for bees, and the large green leaves you see below center right are those of the burdock, whose pollen clung to the legs of bees observed in my garden last summer.

Some of the First Pollen

This picture was taken May 5.

Dandelions

Dandelions are popping out at Thistle Hill. I have seen the bees bringing back bright orange pollen -- not sure if this is from the dandelions or marsh marigold which is also blooming now.

Now is the time to start planting perennial flowers for the bees. Today I am picking up some Echinops or globe thistle, marjoram, and rosa rugosa.

Just discovered a new web site, the Melissa Garden, which has a whole wonderful section on plants for honey bees. Check it out!

Red Maple and Willows

... are blooming. Nectar and pollen for the bees.

Please write us and tell us what is blooming at your house and what flowers your bees or other pollinators are visiting.

Pollen!

Today for the first time this spring, I observed the bees here at Thistle Hill bringing pollen home. I don't know where they are getting it. It's pale yellow and a beautiful sight to see.

Spring

We are anxiously awaiting the blooming of willows and red maples, the first major nectar sources of the year.

Jan from our Beekeepers' Coop reports that on April 6, he observed a bee collecting pollen from some snow drops, and her baskets were filled. "I also observed bees at the hives returning with pollen."

Now's the time to finalize plans for plantings for the spring, and order shrubs and trees if you haven't already. You should also inspect your bees and make sure they have enough food to last until the first nectar flow. If they do not, you must feed them so they won't starve in this critical period.