Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: RangerBrad on May 03, 2009, 05:35:10 PM

Title: vytec bush??
Post by: RangerBrad on May 03, 2009, 05:35:10 PM
Howdy folks, I went to visit a local beek and he had a couple of bush/small trees on his place he called vytec(not sure of the spelling) that have leaves that are amazingly similar to hemp plants. He said thy put off bright blue blooms and that they were a real bee magnet. He got these from 2 other beeks years ago.

Do any of yal know of this type of bush and where a fellow might find them? Thank's, Brad
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: Kathyp on May 03, 2009, 05:47:07 PM
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=vitex&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

is this it? 
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: iddee on May 03, 2009, 05:49:44 PM
I have three plants in my yard. Most nurseries in this area have them.
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: RangerBrad on May 03, 2009, 06:05:13 PM
I believe that maybe it. It seemed to have serated leaves though. Thank's, Brad
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: patook on May 03, 2009, 06:11:00 PM
It is commonly called chaste tree or lilac chaste plant. It is spelled Vitex
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: RangerBrad on May 03, 2009, 06:19:10 PM
Thank's Folks, Is it really the beetree I've heard?? What are yals favorite bee attracting trees? Brad
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: dragonfly on May 04, 2009, 12:15:36 AM
I have a couple of vitex and they are attractive to bees, but my biggest attractants are rosemary plants. I am planting more of them because they are drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, flower at various times throughout the year, and the bees love them.
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: patook on May 04, 2009, 12:58:35 AM
Hi Dragonfly, do you know if rosemary is a nectar source or just pollen? 

BTW: we are practically neighbors.  ;)
Title: Re: vytec bush??
Post by: dragonfly on May 04, 2009, 11:32:32 AM
Quote from: patook on May 04, 2009, 12:58:35 AM
Hi Dragonfly, do you know if rosemary is a nectar source or just pollen? 

BTW: we are practically neighbors.  ;)

As far as I know, iti's a nectar source. I don't recall seeing the bees carrying pollen while working rosemary, but I will make an effort to watch more closely next time.

Howdy neighbor.:) I was in your neck of the woods a couple of weeks ago on the way to visit friends in Collinsville.:)