Replacement bee loving plant required

[Luminos]

Take cuttings, 4 - 5 inches long with a heel, of half ripe lateral shoots in July ans August; insert the cuttings in equal parts (by volume) peat and sand in a cold frame. Line out the rooted cuttings in nursery rows the following May and transplant to permanent positions in October or the following March.

I disagree.
Very, very hard to take cuttings with a heel. Much easier to use secateurs.

 

[Beeline]

Good point about Globosa. They are the one variety which has a short flower tube so bees love it. Mike has offered some cuttings which I'll gladly have and plant elsewhere.

I have the bog standard cottage garden type plants like hollyhocks, old fashion stox(?) etc. I have also planted in 3 different colour Mallows this season for lasting colour and forage although I'm told the pollen grain is very course.

EricA here is my garden "sketch" plan. It's supposed to resemble the Sun rays. Second season in and it is looking fuller but it costs £££ filling the areas. We are on a bed of yellow clay so I raised the entire area by 80mm of topsoil - 15m3 and it's made the world of difference. I've just highlighted the main structural plants which I had the foresight to plant 80mm above existing ground level 4 years ago. It's a WIP.

 

[Rich0909]

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ is about the right size and makes a good shaped shrub. The bees really appreciated the early nectar in February and March this year. A bit pink though....

Rich

 

[priono]

Get some Japanese Knotweed. I bet it comes really cheap. The bees love it.

But watch it doesn't start growing through the foundations of your house because it might have to be demolished and re-built.

NEVER EVER get knotweed. you will have it everywhere and you will never get rid of it again. I am fighting since years against it. the olympic ground had an entire soil change which cost billions cos knotweed grows through concrete. NEVER EVER!

 

[Hivemaker.]

NEVER EVER get knotweed.

BEES LIKE knotweed.

 

[Erichalfbee]

***

 

[The Cumbrian]

BEES LIKE knotweed.

They may do but houses don't. I think you will find RICS feel having knotweed close to your property can alter the chances of getting a mortgage on it.

 

[Hivemaker.]

They may do but houses don't.

I must agree with you, i have never noticed a house foraging on it.

 

[Skyhook]

I must agree with you, i have never noticed a house foraging on it.

HM, is it time for your tablets?

 

[Hivemaker.]

HM, is it time for your tablets?

Someone must of spiked my tobacco.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I am after a lovely bee bush that is roughly 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5m or slightly bigger and suits a cottage garden. Any ideas would be welcome please.

Have you thought of a winter flowering shrub? If so, our bees were very busy on both Viburnum tinus and Mahonia aquifolium. Both are evergreen.

The Viburnum can be clipped into a tight shape, if that's what you want, ours are only now stopping flowering - started last November.

The Mahonia has quite large prickly leaves and will, over time, fill your 1.5mx1.5m space without any pruning. It has lovely yellow, vanilla scented, flowers from late winter through to early spring, followed by clusters of purple berries that blackbirds love. The fruit can also, I believe, be used to make fruit jelly, but I've never tried it.

 

[Beeline]

Have you thought of a winter flowering shrub? If so, our bees were very busy on both Viburnum tinus and Mahonia aquifolium. Both are evergreen.

I've already got a Viburnum tinus in the one corner but great idea. Like I said to Hivemaker, my wife is not a fan of spikey plants so they have been relegated to the back garden. In fairness to her I don't think it really fits in with the cottage garden theme.

Rich0909 got me looking into Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’. Is this the plant in the photo below or is it the Lonicera purpusii or non of the above. I got these pics off a forum and one poster thought it was Lonicera purpusii.

 

[Skyhook]

Rich0909 got me looking into Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’. Is this the plant in the photo below or is it the Lonicera purpusii or non of the above. I got these pics off a forum and one poster thought it was Lonicera purpusii.

definitely V.b. 'Dawn'.

 

[Beeline]

Thanks for that confirmation Skyhook. A definite for the garden then - with just minor trimming to keep it contained.

Think I might also add the Lonicera purpusii to the mix.

Thanks all for the advice. Great to have such a forum with similar interests - bees and plants.