gorse

[countryman]

is gorse bush any good for bees becasue we have a lot of it out in full bloom at the moment

 

[Hivemaker.]

Yes it is,miles of it in flower around here as well.

 

[Ruary]

is gorse bush any good for bees becasue we have a lot of it out in full bloom at the moment

good for pollen (orange brown colour) but I think the quality might be low.
Ruary

 

[Into the lions den]

is gorse bush any good for bees becasue we have a lot of it out in full bloom at the moment

Yes.

Great pollen plant. Some claim to get honey from it but never seen that myself in our area.

If there is a decent amount about there will be flowers to see every day of the year. Was told this as a small boy by my grandfather..................nad pass a large area of it between here and Dundee very regularly...........I am 56 now and he has been right so far.........even peeking out through snow, there have always been at least a few flowers.

 

[user 6228]

good for pollen (orange brown colour) but I think the quality might be low.
Ruary

my lot seem to prefer it to sugar..

 

[Storm™]

The old country saying went:

When the gorse is in flower kissings in season - it was an ironic joke as you can always find some gorse in flower somewhere.

 

[Poly Hive]

The old country saying went a bit further than that, so moving swiftly on...

I have cycled past gorse that was redolent in the sun, so from that I suspect that there was nectar on the go. Lovely scent if a tad cabbagey...

PH

 

[Bee-Key-Pur]

It's my understanding that it's good for pollen only....

 

[Erichalfbee]

Lovely scent if a tad cabbagey...

PH

I think it smells of coconut. I've made some really successful fizz from it a la elderflower champagne.

Just spent a few days in the Lleyn peninsula where the hills are yellow with it.
I passed a garden in Criccieth where there were purple hebes and a rather large Fatsia blooming...............absolutely covered in bees and the odd bumble

 

[Chrisfnvs]

I think it smells of coconut. I've made some really successful fizz from it a la elderflower champagne.

Just spent a few days in the Lleyn peninsula where the hills are yellow with it.
I passed a garden in Criccieth where there were purple hebes and a rather large Fatsia blooming...............absolutely covered in bees and the odd bumble

it has a lovely smell of coconut and reminds me of the smell of suntan lotion a real summery smell chris

 

[Poly Hive]

What's in scent?

Sitting here pondering and yes it does have a touch of the coconut hint.

PH

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I think it smells of coconut.

In the words of my Geordie pal - bound tae

 

[tidymeup]

My girls really love the stuff, usually I get it in spring and at this time of year. Its a good late and early pollen source for them.

 

[the naked beekeeper]

Smells like

 

[Ruary]

my lot seem to prefer it to sugar..

Different use Sugar for energy (carbohydrates) pollen for development (protein).
Ruary