Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Cindi on November 30, 2006, 10:09:28 AM

Title: Annuals for bees
Post by: Cindi on November 30, 2006, 10:09:28 AM
I grow some neat flowers for the bees, they are annuals that self-seed, so once one has them, they are yours forever.  I gather seed and prepare it for the following year to sow, spreading it to places where it will continue it life.  The first of the pictures is cosmos, probably everyone is familiar with this, the next one is borage (a cousin to the perennial "comfrey", another great bee plant), and the last is phacelia tanacetifolia (blue tansy, related to the yellow tansy, which is poisonous to cattle and horses I believe).  As far as I know, bees are not attracted to the yellow tansy.  The bee, bumblebees, syrphid flies and many more are extremely attracted to the borage and phacelia in particular.  It is amazing to see how many flock to these flowers the moment that they exit their hives on their daily hunt for their treasures for their colonies.  The hum of contentment that comes from the flowers is something to behold.  It is truly a wonderful thing to see and hear.  Enjoys the pictures.  Great day.  Cindi.

(http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9901/csmsjuly176smalljp6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6360/bragejuly136smallii0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5101/pha3july136smallbb7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9647/phacjuly1306smallkf3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Annuals for bees
Post by: pdmattox on November 30, 2006, 10:16:09 AM
Oh what happy bee's you must have.  Great flower garden.
Title: Re: Annuals for bees
Post by: kensfarm on December 01, 2006, 11:09:01 AM
Very nice Cindy!