Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Bees in the Garden

This is probably the best year my yard has ever done for pollinators. Mountain Mint and Anise Hyssop are what the honeybees are using most.

Ironweed is a close runner up. These plants are kind of huge though, compared to how many more bees are willing to work the Hyssop and Mint which don't take up as much space. 

Clethra alnifolia, my favorite shrub, is also blooming this week. The smell is somewhat overpowering if you put your nose up to them but when the wind is blowing and you get it in light doses it's quite pleasant.

Prairie Blazing Star, Liatris pycnostachya started blooming out in the meadow garden.


Passing honeybees seem to be the most common pollinator on them.

They're otherwise worked by these tiny green sweat bees, which also work on the orange coneflowers, also blooming in the meadow.