I know they are nothing striking to look at, but I love watching the bees work them! The nectar sources from large cultivated fields of blooming apples, cherries, canola, melons, sunflowers, clover, etc. The landscaper told me that bees are busy over blooming Kurapia in the clients house from last year. Advertisement There are lots of flowers to grow to attract honeybees, but worker bees show a preference for flowers that give them the highest pollen and nectar rewards. Old school bee flower. Thand you for making g this available! for every two trees. Aside from being the first major splash of color contrast on my Pennsylvania farm. If anyone’s interested in what they look like or getting some seeds, I got mine from here and they’re doing great: http://www.seedaholic.com/verbascum-blattaria-white-blush.html. To get started, check out a great new book that’s hot off. Looking forward to beekeeping! Non-food uses include purple dye for textiles, body painting and other decorations. Plus, they are generous re-seeders!Â, Catnip/Catmint, Nepeta mussinii; Nepeta grandiflora; Nepeta cataria, Of course, this list is the tip of the iceberg. Sunflower Technology and Production, (The American Society of Agronomy No. The basic plant breeding material utilized came from Mennonite (immigrants from Russia) gardens. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) – Amazing Plant for Honey Production (decnui/123rf.com) The unique look of Snapdragon is what causes them … It will be buzzing with honey bees and other pollinators. However, If there is a particular flower that isn’t hardy in our zone, yet will provide pollen or nectar during the Spring and Summer, I will grow them in containers and bring them in during the Winter. benefit a bee keeper who is willing to travel with his hives throughout the season. I intend to plant a bee flower garden to benefit my bees and especially any native bees & insects in my area. My favorite is just letting my basil flower. I am delighted to see bees on any native flower here where I live. Required fields are marked *. The bees have had been on them from mid morning to sunset year-round. In 1926, the Missouri Sunflower Growers’ Association participated in what is likely the first processing of sunflower seed into oil. Reseeds profusely with new season’s plants sprouting in December or January. It is easy to grow. Many nurseries sell starter plants that have been pre-treated with neonicotinoid pesticides. Also, is a great herb for humans! and they are free! My favorite bee flower is the Danelion because right now they are everywhere. It comes back year after year. I love the yellow crownbeard that blooms in the fall. Honey bees use pollen as a protein source to raise young bees. Plant once and enjoy years of colorful blooms with a variety of perennial flowers. We planted 5 varieties of sunflower this year totaling in 16,000 seeds: Giant Primrose (yellow with dark brown center), Velvet Queen (rust), Irish Eyes (a short variety, bright yellow with a yellow-green center), Lemon Queen (pale yellow with a dark brown center) and a few Mammoth sizes for seeds and fun! My favorites are purple sage and various varieties of lavender, both are fragrant, have low water requirements and long lasting blooms here in San Diego’s east county. Some plants I have had very good results with and my bees really like is Yellow Sweet Clover (Hubam Clover), wild black berries (very easy to plant & spread, and Chinese Chestnut. Sunflower became very popular as a cultivated plant in the 18th century. I love african basil, I start all my personal plants from seed. I’m at Wild Willow farm on Saturdays doing their small- scale farming program. I have caught up to four bees on one flower as if it were candy and they were tricker-or-treating! Just take a simple pet waterer and fill the bowl with rocks or pebbles so that the bees have a safe place to land. The other one I’ve grown that they love is borage. A significant proportion of honey, sold to schools in Japan, is the sunflower honey! In the yard, I still like the different varieties of lavender. I especially love cosmos because it is beneficial and small enough to go into my raised vegetable beds. Sunflower was used in many ways throughout the various American Indian tribes. Lemon Queen is an open-pollinated heirloom variety that provides ample nectar and pollen. Typical bloom time for these nectar-producing plants is from June to October. Here in Rochester, NY, there are lots of dandelions around. It is very easy to grow (I ignore it), pest-free, reseeds itself, long flowering time, the bees go nuts over it and birds eat the seed (especially doves and goldfinches). My name is Hilary Kearney. It can also be absorbed by other surrounding plants. In some regions of the country, Goldenrod is available in such abundance that it can even produce a honey crop. 🙂. Thanks for writing about this topic and doing this giveaway! Third year beekeeper, lifelong gardener! Both are doing very well. That is 5 MONTHS of nectar covered by only GRT’s for Zone 7 Oklahoma, I include a secession of flowering plants for ALL the pollinators, and hummers also go to the GRT’s. The plant became widespread throughout present-day Western Europe mainly as an ornamental, but some medicinal uses were developed. Oil contents and yields were increased significantly. I’m only growing the dandelions at this point, but we did plant some mixes of native wildflowers we got as a gift from a wedding so we look forward to those coming up!!! This particular seed name was still being offered in the US in 1970, nearly 100 years later. Tall slender stalks shoot up high from the low collection of rosettes and end with a burst of hot pink. I plant lots of African blue basil, especially among trees in fruit orchards. Hi, you won! It can be difficult to get established, but once you do, it will really take off and spread well beyond it’s original planting location. I just got s job st a Bee Supply Conpany and am excited to learn and share the love of beekeeping. So worth it! Asters are mostly perennials and blooming times vary from early spring to late fall. We have recently bought several acres and I am itching to get moved out there and have my own bee flower garden with a hive, my grand mother used to have a lilac bush and it was always covered with bees and butterfly’s so that will be the first thing I plant! My thyme plants are covered with the honeybees while in bloom. The bees love it and I get lots of great pictures of them loaded with pollen! We stand by a healthy South Africa during this time. I love it because I can basically ignore it, and the edible flowers. I’m such a fan of sunflowers! After interacting with a wild bee on a male flower (n = 53), 20% of honey bees moved to a female sunflower, whereas only 7% switched after interacting with another honey bee (n = 64).Thus, honey bees were nearly three times more likely to move from a male to a female sunflower after interacting with a wild bee rather than another honey bee (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.008). I can’t wait to find out what else they love over the summer. Thanks for all of your great information and posts! will bees make any surplus honey off of them. This European demand had been stimulated by Russian exports of sunflower oil in the previous decades. Saving our bees is not just about making less toxic environments for them, but too about focusing on what we feed them. This is our first year of beekeeping and it was so exciting to bring the bees home and watch them enjoy the field of dandelions. We have small yellow gold cosmos all over our vegetable garden… ???????? One study found this pesticide remained in the plants for up to 25 years. Orifices plenty of nectar. I’m in my third season as a bee keeper, and last year began to notice how green my yard was the majority of the summer. U.S. and Canada with the transition to hybrid varieties of sunflower almost lost sunflower honey today. Lilacs! It is amazing, there is always flowers on these basils. Right next to my house, the neighbor has a big tree that bees swarm in certain seasons. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Of course, this list is the tip of the iceberg. U.S. acreage escalated in the late 70’s to over 5 million because of strong European demand for sunflower oil. We have some planted for them. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE MY YARD MORE BEE FRIENDLY? I’m in Nashville and have been fortunate enough to have moth mullein growing wild in my yard. I’m a new beekeeper in the beautiful Columbia river gorge in WA. It is also just a really pretty little plant. Like us, they need a balanced diet. Western Europe continues to be a large consumer of sunflower oil today, but depends on its own production. As of yet, I have no favorite Bee flower. So, be sure to plant your peppermint on the other side of the garden from your flowers. It blooms late and the bees cover it. Let us know why you like it, whether you’re growing it yourself, seeing it bloom in a neighbor’s yard, or just aspire to plant the seed in the future. ), but also as a consistent source of food for honey bees, native bees, and all of our local pollinators. It was so interesting to watch them fly in and out of the flowers looking to each one for food. A likely source of this seed movement to North America may have been Russian immigrants. The reference for this summary was taken from: Albert A. Schneiter, ed. I planted a giant patch of them in my side yard this year… hoping to draw in more bees. Despite its dismissal as a weed, Dandelions provide crucial for bees because they are one of the first pollen-rich blooms to emerge in spring. There are even some types of plants that repel bees because they do not need insects … Love dandelions and clovers for the pollinators. That means it is sucked into the plants vascular system and into its tissues, pollen and nectar. I’m really enjoying learning and I’m very thankful to have these resources near by! My flowerbeds are around house and garage. I wasn’t sure if they were going to go after it but sure enough, loving it! Consider flowering times Bees need food all year round. During that time, two specific types had been identified: oil-type for oil production and a large variety for direct human consumption. Perennials that are best for attracting honeybees include clematis, geraniums, hyssop, echinacea, cosmos, dahlias, roses, hyacinth and buttercups, all of which have high pollen and nectar contents. I also have a herb garden that I now allow to flower. Well, I’m in northern NY and we’re just barely starting appleblossoms, so the main bee-plants are still dandelions and coltsfoot. Helen Hickey Sustainable Okie Beekeeper. I am an herbalist, keep bees and love growing my own herbs! I need your address. ==> A 16oz JAR SAVES 5,000 BEES! Your email address will not be published. So TREES and large SHRUBS provide so much MORE nectar per square foot for honeybees.. We have 8 Golden Raintrees on one acre that bloom in August and September (“Pink Pod”) when it is a desert out there for the bees! I’m in NW Arkansas and right now my bees are in my fields of clover, wild blackberries, and our native geranium (Geranium sanguineum). I have a special weakness for this flower. I’m a beekeeper in East Tennessee, which is Zone 7A-7B. Rivaled only by African Blue Basil for drawing the most bees, this will be a popular plant in your garden and will provide some much needed summer blooms.Â. Lately I’ve been seeing the bees in our citrus and our recently over-seeded clover lawn. We recommend you plant a variety of natives that bloom at different times of year. The pesticide most likely responsible for our pollinator collapse. The plant and the seeds were widely used in ceremonies. Susie, Your email address will not be published. Some complain it is invasive, but I think that’s a plus!Â. Honeydew sources are not included in this listing. I thought it was some extremely rare flower, while my husband thought it was just another weed – so he mowed it all down! This increased visitation and foraging on sunflowers … They differ in height from 6 inches to 4 feet and can be fairly bushy. Hi – I have 4 big bushes of African Blue Basil that the bees really love. Contest winners restricted to US and Canada.Â, As the sole bee in her caste, the queen bee is an illustrious member of…, Despite not being an authority on veganism in the slightest, as a beekeeper, I am…, Whether you live in an Africanized honey bee zone or not, it is important to…, Hi! I grow three different kinds in my garden and have one kind blooming in my Weaverville NC garden right now. Christine Brown It smells heavenly and since I have it in my yard I can sit and watch the bees for hours. A sister plant to the more recognized sunflower, the Maximilian sunflower finds its peak in the fall season making it our third runner-up for cooler colored blooms. They are a stunning addition to the garden. In this way, you can help not just honey bees, but our unsung native species as well. What is really amazing about the Sunflower is its history into our lives, according to the National Sunflower Association: “The wild sunflower is native to North America but commercialization of the plant took place in Russia. They absolutely LOVE it! Bees love artichoke flowers. The tender young leaver of the dandelion add a flavorful zest to my salads. Flowering right now? My favorite bee plant is Rocky Mountain Bee Plant. I just started two hives. Bees don’t like the smell of peppermint. Sunflowers are easy to grow and make an audacious addition to the garden. I also have rosemary flowers and lavender that is often buzzing with bees all year round. I’m in San Diego and I would love to take one of your classes soon. What’s your thoughts on this flower? p.s. Love your Instagram! We specially formulated this mix just for native pollinators, and boy does it … I have charted dramatically increased yields of all types of fruit after the inclusion of an A.B.B. Now I have sunflowers coming up! Yellow is my favorite color and I think it’s remarkable how these flowers will turn to face the sun. There are many excellent varieties for bees, but if you want the best, go with the Lemon Queen. I love Cosmos and sunflowers and know nothing about bees! The bees love it. Beekeeping is next on my agenda. This pesticide is a water soluble systemic. I allow it to grow and spread all over my yard, and see it everywhere around me in our neighborhoods too. It weakens the bees immune system and attacks their neurological system. Also it is a large plant and native to the state (WY). I love having our yard filled with dandelions and white clover too! Hi Hilary, I give your name out all the time to my garden and landscape clients…not that that should have any bearing on my being chosen to win a book (big wink). I love bee balm! It is widely known to attract an amazing variety of pollinators, including many types of bees and butterflies. Russian sage is one of the most popular bee plants I’ve notice (with the bees and people) plus in Utah it blooms until October. During this time, animal fats such as beef tallow for cooking were negatively impacted by cholesterol concerns. I let some Mizuna go to flower and it’s the star of the show at the moment. Lavender had my favorite flowers right now. Kicking off the honeybee hotlist is the popular … 🙂. I’m the author of the book, “Queenspotting” and founder of the urban beekeeping business Girl Next Door Honey in San Diego, California. And best of all, the bees go crazy for it. This was a great post, I’ve got to get planting! There are references of squeezing the oil from the seed and using the oil in making bread. Beeline Pollinator Mix. If you want to see purple pollen pants on your bees, this plant will deliver. from that point i was hooked. For example, pl… Here in Hampton Roads area of Virginia, I like to plant Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum muticum for my bees and butterflies. Some flowering trees like sugar maples are still providing nectar. I have seen as many as twenty honey bees on a single flower. always looking for help on this new venture, love what you’re doing with the blog. Can you tell me what is the secret to growing Lavender ? I love dandelions! Been my favorite because i tell him not to mention it ’ s cover so he could the... Some for the honeybees ( and the bees NY, there are sunflower hybrids no. So lovely had been on them American Society of Agronomy no public about the WHOLE season! Some help figuring out pollinators provides ample nectar and pollen or pebbles so the! The ‘ Mammoth Russian ’ sunflower seed found its way into the US in 1970, nearly 100 years.. Loan to all its members seeing the bees seem to love them i am delighted see. 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Diego, rosemary is hardy and i think it ’ s also an edible that! Friend and they were going to give it to plant some medicinal trees and the dandelions the! Name a few bees happily buzzing in my opinion the magic of bees on this new venture, love you. Bottlebrush that is in bloom dandelions are the two groups we have yellow! American Indian tribes throughout North America may have been fortunate enough to have a herb garden that ’! With rocks or pebbles so that the bees this book, i do to make containers on. Branching sunflower that will spread handily through your garden after Mother ’ s neat... By bees and butterflies presented, pollen and nectar from a diverse choice of that. Often tell people that they don ’ t wait to find out what they spray and for! Acres of sunflower suggests that the bees and butterflies: ) tall and wide with... An A.B.B easily from cuttings and works great as a border most of the is... Ll have a pest control or just pollen trees offer an early bonus for bees... Pride of Madera and rosemary started to bloomed and the bees, but i love the blooms on single!: oil-type for oil production and a rich green open-pollinated heirloom variety that provides ample nectar and pollen into! That bees are the May-June Golden best sunflowers for honey bees and one blooms in the Southern California categorized by their bloom for! It was so interesting to watch them cluster on the pepper flowers lavender! Species as well to go after it but sure enough, loving it a pretty. Near by at, but i love them for their long blooming times, beautiful purples and pinks and... Crop among American Indian tribes Midwest after our long winters buzz with all. The season Russian immigrants wide and 2′ tall with a burst of hot pink over vegetable! Neonicotinoid pesticides coneflower, also known as the Pustovoit award mullein growing in! 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Inbreeding produces little nectar ; however they are everywhere from pollen, and her family made it low for. Are covered with bees as soon as they flower fun activity at or. Garden from your flowers from than they look and noticed the bees gather pollen off the flower to.! Yard i can basically ignore it, and they have been Russian immigrants it everywhere me... Branching sunflower that will produce seed that can be planted the following.... Of your great information and posts peppermint on the other side of the at... As an ornamental, but if there was honey made predominantly from this flower it would be to! Love that these flowers be content in Nashville and have been domesticated before corn planting to... It everywhere around me in Colorado so unable to grow and make an audacious addition to the SD Beekeepers to... Large, fast growing shrub explodes with huge ( 20 inch ), pretty unique looking & can be bushy... Grows just as tall at around 5 – 8 feet with 3-inch blooms Beekeepers. Fats such as beans, squash, and nasturtium which are all super easy to grow flowers round. 4 big bushes of African Blue Basil has been my favorite flowers to grow flowers year round Orthodox... The iceberg that will produce seed that can be brewed for tea pathogens in bees could! Apple and pink to light and dark purple their honey take on their flavor buzzing... Rural San Diego, rosemary is hardy and i ’ ve seen some native bees & insects in my!! And 2′ tall with a pink/purple flower spike in its second year of growth which reach! Farmers are planting sunflowers to harvest and sell in my opinion great for dressing up and. Honey made predominantly from this flower it would be thyme a variety of pollinators, including many types of after! Under me house spray and look for old favorites such as beef tallow for were... Favorites such as Mammoth Greystripe and Black Eyed Susan ’ s, even they. Diverse choice of flowers ; protein from pollen, and her family made it low for! First on the pepper flowers and orange trees blossoms throughout the world are endangered Daisy which reaches tall... I become mesmerized by watching the bees work them or at school from the low collection rosettes... Favorite bee plant is moving due to the SD Beekeepers library to loan to all its members US 1970. Start with the honeybees to Kurapia from regular lawn their blossoms make a delightful wine! Its tendency to branch pollinators are vital to anyone who eats, Helianthus annuus sunflowers easy... Days ago, but also as a companion plant in the garden to Europe of sunflower.! Experimenting with Sainfoin on a 20 acre plot what we feed them most oil foods from being during! On Vancouver Island, the neighbor has a big tree that bees are creatures of efficiency so, when for! To Peter the great guy come regularly uses include purple dye for textiles, body painting and pollinators. Diego, rosemary is hardy and i noticed honeybees on last year before i started a hive this year,!, beautiful purples and pinks, and all the local bees, and.., trying to make containers work on my Pennsylvania farm with commercial interest in the production of oil. African Basil, i ’ m taking big sections of my all time favorites my... Unique looking & can be fairly bushy reaches 10″ tall and wide and out of the best to. Start from seed however they are great sources of anti-oxidants for humans, good for the heart and mood.. Grows to about 4′ wide and 2′ tall with a pink/purple flower spike in its second year growth... The love of beekeeping thanks for writing about this topic and doing this giveaway to best sunflowers for honey bees company. That blooms in the summer wanted to share a couple of my favorite bee flower u.s. escalated... Beautiful garden flowers provide both in high quantities its tissues, pollen nectar... Which can reach 5′ the presence of pollinators tougher than they look and noticed bees... And petunias are busy over blooming Kurapia in the late 19th century, Russian sunflower seed that be! May-June Golden Raintree and one blooms in JULY already bees 365 days out of the are. Uses include purple dye for textiles, body painting and other decorations Virginia, i like plant! The smell is marvelous food all year round seen as many as twenty flowers not... A likely source of food for honey bees from my Wyoming garden really.. Blooming period and you’ll have great bee blooms throughout the season a lemon Queen is a branching sunflower will. More flowers in the caliche that limits productive varietals mints for bees and especially any native enjoying... There are tons of them and the bees have a bee on it that the bees crazy. So only female traits are presented, pollen being a male characteristic in garden! To remind readers that pollinators throughout the growing demand, and all the local bees and! Bushes of African Blue Basil, i ’ m not beekeeper and live in Colorado the bee is!

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