Does anyone know what this is, and do bees like it?

[Firefly]

Found this blooming in a Hastings garden last weekend. About 4-8" high; looks like it spreads by stolons. Smells lovely - a bit like Mimosa. I'm no gardener, so sorry if I ought to know. It looks as if bees should enjoy it - a bit as they do Sedum - but there were none about

 

[gavin]

Winter heliotrope - Petasites fragrans. Same group as the butterburs.

http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/petasites_fragrans_winter_heliotrope.htm

Not sure whether bees will work it, but they will be out so seldom while it is flowering.

G.

 

[Firefly]

Brilliant - thank you

So, it's expected to flower in mid-winter! I was rather hoping that the difference in light and warmth between Hastings and here would mean later flowering here when bees might be getting going - it seems not so

The difference down there was striking: roadside daffodils in full flower; camellias in flower in gardens etc