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The Plants Bees Love

In this day and time, I would hope gardeners understand the importance of bees and other insects in the garden. However, from time to time, a person comes into the nursery and asks for plants that will NOT attract bees (sigh). They are not really gardeners though, they are just looking for a plant to fill a space. I find myself more and more intrigued by bees although I don't know that much about the different types. I do make note of plants that they like and try to add as many as I can to the garden. Over the past weeks, with watering a daily activity amidst a lingering heat-wave, I've conducted an informal survey and noted the plants that they seem to like the most. Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) is one of my favorite perennials and the bees love it too. I don't think I've ever seen a butterfly on it but we don't seem to have many of those. Everybody wants the "Showy Milkweed" (Asclepias speciosa) but I knew

Is Winter Over?

 
Iris reticulata 'Harmony'


It is not even February yet but you would not guess that by the weather and the flowers that are blooming. Yesterday, the dwarf iris started blooming. These were planted last fall.

Hellebore 'Merlin' has been blooming for weeks. I added another last year and it has a fat bud on it. I believe it is 'Berry Swirl'.


Hellebore 'Merlin' 


Hellebore 'Berry Swirl'

More winter interest -


Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly')

Heather (Calluna vulgaris 'Multicolor')


Winterberry
(Gaultheria procumbens 'Berry Cascade')


Mahonia 'Charity'

What is blooming in your garden?


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Hahahahaaha... Winter is still here. I do have a Galanthus nivalis blooming and buds on some of my hellebores but no other blooms. It is 40F here today. Crazy for January. Your blooms give me hope for the near future.

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  2. It seems like the smaller the iris, the earlier it blooms. Those baby blue ones are lovely. Hellebore is blooming in my garden too, getting me excited for the upcoming gardening season, and the low growing heather that is practically Glowing this time of year (mine is called blazeaway)!

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