What's flowering as forage in your area

[Monbees]

My post was a bit unclear - the photo shows the borage-type plant called Nonya on which the hairy-footed flower bee was feeding; the bees seem to ignore my white lungwort.

i keep this big patch of pale lemon 'borage' to make liquid fertilizer for the vegetable garden.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

first wave of willow catkins going over now. Blackthorn is blooming well and my damson trees are absolutely plastered with blossom.
Just in time for the cold snap

 

[Murox]

The wind and cold overnight has blackened the leaves of dandelion, doesn't bode well for the early pollen bearing plants most of which are only just coming into life up here, luckily there is plenty of gorse around - when the wind drops.

 

[Curly green finger's]

The wind and cold overnight has blackened the leaves of dandelion, doesn't bode well for the early pollen bearing plants most of which are only just coming into life up here, luckily there is plenty of gorse around - when the wind drops.

Gorse is a saver at times, male pussy willow is only really getting going here blackthorn is on the clusp and the cherry was covered in bees yesterday at Corley here's a video. Cherry forage

 

[Erichalfbee]

My post was a bit unclear - the photo shows the borage-type plant called Nonya on which the hairy-footed flower bee was feeding; the bees seem to ignore my white lungwort.

i keep this big patch of pale lemon 'borage' to make liquid fertilizer for the vegetable garden.

Is that a Pitcher Sage? Lepechinia?

 

[Anthony Appleyard]

Here in south Manchester, SNOW as I was going to the shop for a newspaper and oddments.

 

[StephenT]

I think this is Sycamore as I noticed a row of these trees a couple of streets away last year. Are these the start of the flowers and then they open fully once the leaves begin to come through?

 

[Anthony Appleyard]

Here in northwest England, it is SNOWING. Each day it gets colder.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I think this is Sycamore as I noticed a row of these trees a couple of streets away last year. Are these the start of the flowers and then they open fully once the leaves begin to come through?

It's a Maple

 

[StephenT]

It's a Maple

Thanks. Another one to add to the list of local trees good for bees.

Edit: Extract from a report detailing the trees in the area. Bee obsession leads to tree obsession.

 

[BugsInABox]

Hawthorne looking like it’s still a few weeks away. Just as well perhaps.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hawthorne looking like it’s still a few weeks away. Just as well perhaps.

As far as I’m concerned that’s a good thing. I just wish winter would go away.

 

[Beegarden]

As far as I’m concerned that’s a good thing. I just wish winter would go away.

Here, here! I have never been so obsessed with checking the upcoming weather prediction. Sad, isn't it ......

 

[Newbeeneil]

This blackthorn was humming with bees when we walked along this footpath earlier today. 7 degrees and sunny. Two hours later we had a flurry of snow!!!

 

[Monbees]

Is that a Pitcher Sage? Lepechinia?

I don't think so Dani, looked it up and flowers are not blue, also no sagey smell. I've tried another photo which I hope shows a bit better the way the flower buds grow all the way up the stem and seem to flower from the top downwards. Each flower bud has about 12 flowers within each 'bud', two of which, at the top, are flowering with the others still to open. The photo also shows the white dimples on the leaves. The leaves are hairy/spikey and the plant is about .5m tall. It seeds very readily but I think each plant is perennial, or at least biennial.

 

[pargyle]

Plum is well into blossom ... cherry just breaking through ...

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't think so Dani, looked it up and flowers are not blue, also no sagey smell. I've tried another photo which I hope shows a bit better the way the flower buds grow all the way up the stem and seem to flower from the top downwards. Each flower bud has about 12 flowers within each 'bud', two of which, at the top, are flowering with the others still to open. The photo also shows the white dimples on the leaves. The leaves are hairy/spikey and the plant is about .5m tall. It seeds very readily but I think each plant is perennial, or at least biennial.View attachment 25408

It’s Nonea lutea or yellow monkswort.
I asked a friend
So your “Nonya” was nearly there

 

[Monbees]

It’s Nonea lutea or yellow monkswort.
I asked a friend
So your “Nonya” was nearly there

Thank your friend so much - at last, I have been trying to find out for years!!!

 

[Antipodes]

Never fails to have a bee on it. Pride of Madeira.

 

[Swarm]

Dandelion pollen piling in.