What's flowering as forage in your area

[Beegarden]

Hi all, my wife (da boss) is going to plant up a 100++ lavender shrubs around her herb garden. I remember (but clearly not very well) reading somewhere that one variety of lavender was found, in some kind of controll experiment, to be four times as attractive to honey bees (and still attractive to native bees) than any of the other types. I did think it was on the forum but after much searching have admitted defeat. Does anyone have any advice (other than that she could have done better ). Thanks.

Last entry, promise. Looking at this link 3 Best Lavender Varieties for Bees it might be an idea for your wife to mix

lavandula angustifolia with lavandula x intermedia - it could look rather pretty.​

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[Nighthaunt]

Interesting data, could you please tell me the software you use and the sensors are they available specifically for this purpose or have you made your own set up? I ask because my brother is a process automation engineer so would be able to kit me out if needed.

I use Hive Heart - produced in Europe - have the heart in the hive (temp, humidity and frequency of bees song) and the scales which measure the total weight of hive (scales sit on the stand, hive on the scales)

U.K. supplier:

https://ukbees.uk/product/hive-heart/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_IS0gomH_gIVtYBQBh3cEwJLEAQYASABEgKxSfD_BwE
I import direct from manufacturers:

https://www.beehivemonitoring.com/e...0-internal-hive-monitoring-8588007887029.html
Comes with its own software as seen - have 2 apiaries, one hive at each with scales (canary down mine as an indicator for others) and all have the hive heart.

 

[beeker]

Getting there There's another variety about two weeks behind. Bit worried this'll all be over and done with before the weather is properly warm enough.

 

[Xander]

Driving from South Shropshire up to Wigan it's definitely a couple of weeks ahead up here, back home there are very few dandelions and a sparse smattering of osr but the further north we headed more and more blooms are open. I guess it's because we are quite elevated at home and the heat from the urban landscape has accelerated spring a springin'

 

[simonwig]

Great article, thank you! I've just ordered a load of borage and calamintha seeds to add to my burgeoning seed cupboard...

Nice summary of the research here with an easy reference chart.
Plants for bees: 6yr study — rosybee - plants for bees
Simon

 

[Sutty]

There is cherry and currant flowering here on the edge of the Peak District, but I think it's the 2 large pussy willow trees in full flower 50yds from the hive which is providing lots of pollen - although I can't see that many bees when I stand underneath the trees are humming!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Early damsons have flowered and (I think) set at the Garn cottage apiary, dandelions blooming everywhere now

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bees have found the dandelions

 

[E&MBees]

Early damsons have flowered and (I think) set at the Garn cottage apiary, dandelions blooming everywhere now

My Damson has yet to flower. Plenty of buds though

 

[The Poot]

This.
I think it’s a type of box? Lots of bees on the small yellow flowers today.

 

[Amari]

Honeybees on the Skimmia today - T 9C, NE wind. 500m from my apiary. Ubiquitous yellow pollen.

 

[Swarm]

Made do with watching the entrances, all flying but a cold wind. Spoilt for choice with Willow and Gorse is glowing with flowers, some Dandelions starting to flower, next week should see the upper field turn yellow. Planted a few clumps of Oregano and some Corn flower near the farm entrance, landowner plans to plant either side of the drive with a wildflower and pollinator mix.

 

[StephenT]

Our bees (probably) on the evergreen Clematis and Rosemary in the garden. Also landing and shitting on us as we sit outside in the lovely spring sunshine. Glorious afternoon

 

[RichardBeeW]

I have a Lavender hedge and use Hidcote. It’s a magnet for all sorts of pollinators. Not sure if it’s the one in the experiment though.

Thanks very much, E&MBees. Hidcote was one of the varieties she’d been narrowing it down to so good to go with that.

 

[RichardBeeW]

it might be this one ..Lavandula angustifolia....

Thanks too, inthewoods! I’ve looked those up and it includes a number of varieties so that’s really helpful, thank you.

 

[RichardBeeW]

Last entry, promise. Looking at this link 3 Best Lavender Varieties for Bees it might be an idea for your wife to mix

lavandula angustifolia with lavandula x intermedia - it could look rather pretty.​

​

Thank you very, very much Beegarden (honestly thought you were Beer Garden!) either way sounds a nice place to spend a summer’s day. Have already opened your links, now for a bit of reading

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Thanks very much, E&MBees. Hidcote was one of the varieties she’d been narrowing it down to so good to go with that.

Hidcote and Munstead I've found are both good pollinator magnets. Munstead is supposed to be a 'dwarf' variety so arrange your beds with that in front.

 

[The Stung]

The damsons and quince are out, the rosemary is in full bloom, and now the first pear blossom opened today.

Here's a selection of some of the photos I took over the past few days. The bees particularly love the viburnum early in the year and we have two types growing, the winter flowering viburnum davidii and an unknown spring variety shown below:

 

[Amari]

The damsons and quince are out, the rosemary is in full bloom, and now the first pear blossom opened today.

Here's a selection of some of the photos I took over the past few days. The bees particularly love the viburnum early in the year and we have two types growing, the winter flowering viburnum davidii and an unknown spring variety shown below:

I'm struggling to see the Viburnum - which is it please?

 

[RichardBeeW]

Hidcote and Munstead I've found are both good pollinator magnets. Munstead is supposed to be a 'dwarf' variety so arrange your beds with that in front.

Thank you JBM, much appreciated that’s actually the two she’s, so far, gone with so she’ll be pleased to hear that. Good point about the different heights too, thanks.