Planting around the apiary

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Planting around the apiary
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Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 9:07 am Post subject:
Gorse is meant to be good for bees, although worth checking. It does flower very early, by March its in full flower round here.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 9:29 am Post subject:

individual things like snowdrops are a waste of time, I think. Think height too - willows will feed a lot of bees as will Rosemary, heathers & plants with loads of flowers. Im planting loads of rosemary this year with heather underneath, and Im leaving some of the goat willow around. We have loads of ivy here.
I think if you aim for long season, but with some variety you will do well to hedge your bets with something in flower.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 4:40 pm Post subject:

Cathryn wrote:

Good ideas! The plants will need to be tough as the ground is full of old bricks. I have the BBKA list as well.

No ones been able to answer the question about quantities. I suppose it is a bit of how long is a piece of string question. I can't garden this year but I will enjoy planting this area up.

They will get most of their provisions from the fields & hedgerows in the neighbourhood.
What you provide will be just a bonus.
Providing plants that flower out of season (early & late) like ivy (which is also incredibly reliable & prolific), crocus, hellebores are probably better than main season plants when there is plenty in the wild anyway.
Don't forget pollen bearers as well.
Early pollen is more important than nectar.
The bees will hopefully have enough honey but pollen doesn't keep as well & they can't raise new bees without it.
Plants like willows & hazel provide abundant amounts but negligible amounts of nectar.

jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 5:48 pm Post subject:
Actually things that flower in June are good. There's a bit of a gap in the natural flowering then,

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 6:06 pm Post subject:
Dad's heathers are full of bees today. I think the hives a re a couple of fields away, so they come quite a way to feast. EV

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 7:19 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Gorse is meant to be good for bees, although worth checking. It does flower very early, by March its in full flower round here.

When gorse is in flower, kissing is in season. It's always in flower here but I might put some nearer the hives.

I'm making a list of early pollen producing plants.

jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 15 8:23 pm Post subject:
Cotoneaster and pyracanthus for the June gap.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15966

Posted: Sun Apr 05, 15 7:11 am Post subject:
I was going to suggest height too. Perhaps surround with hazel (or willow which is good for pollen, but makes too much of itself) with some late flowers, such as Michealmas daisy and sedum. As Tavascarow said, they will forage quite a way, at least up to 2 miles and a bit more for a good flow of rape or something.

yummersetter

Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 15 7:33 pm Post subject:

I've just come back from a trip to Highgrove - the most wonderful, sensitively designed garden if someone wants to treat you to a ticket for a tour. There is a lot of planting with consideration for wildlife there, and the flowers were thronged with bees and butterflies today.
The most popular were the hundreds of scented hyacinths - yes, the type that come in bowls at Christmas - in dark jewel colours. Also scilla, chionodoxa and anemone blanda by the thousand. The perfume throughout the 14 acre garden was heavenly and it was mainly from bulbs, there must have been millions of scented daffodils naturalised under the trees.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 15 8:20 pm Post subject:
I must remember, we could detour to Highgrove quite easily. If only the bulbs were not open when the lambs are being born here. We have lots and lots of wild daffodils and primroses but not in the direction the bees have gone in so far. We are both quite allergic to hyacinth. I would avoid planting them even in the garden but the apiary isn't close to the house.

yummersetter

Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 15 10:29 pm Post subject:
sorry for the double posting -it says 'edit or delete' on the button but I can't find how to delete.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 15 10:48 pm Post subject:
Tis gone. You can't delete once someone else has replied, only edit.

yummersetter

Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 15 10:58 pm Post subject:
thank you - good to learn

BahamaMama

Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 2315
Location: Away with the fairies

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 15 2:34 pm Post subject:
Cerinthe is another one the bees like (Honeywort). Very easy to grow from seed, it seeds itself around but is well behaved and not invasive.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 15 6:39 pm Post subject:
I've spotted a problem, ground elder, everywhere. It will flower and be useful but it will also swamp most things I plant and since the ground is full of half bricks and knobs of cement and the air is full of bees it's not going to be weeded out. Comfrey and bread and butter plant have been suggested as they will stand a chance of competing. Early things might be alright as well.

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