Suns out , Bees 🐝 Out

This morning at 7am I was sitting in the garden drinking coffee in a T shirt under incredible blue sky.

This is the Victoria plum tree ready to burst into full blossom, the wood pigeons are enjoying eating these flower buds.As the sun warmed up through the morning the bees arrived, honey bees and small bumble bees They were attracted by the blossom of a weeping Cherry.

There were at least 20 honey bees working hard across this little tree.

The trees in the garden are all just at the point of flowering I have a new tree called Alelanchier canadensis ( Canadian Juneberry) given to me by my friend Jan, I’m really looking forward to see it’s blossom , it will be any day now !

Plants in the garden to attract and feed bees are a must . Here is a list , maybe add some new species to your garden.

The main thing think is think diversity, lots of different flowers at different times through the year , think about having some native species, wildflowers can be very attractive in the garden. Here is a short list of some suggestions;

Foxglove
Bluebell
Comfrey
Honeysuckle
Vipers Bugloss
Hawthorn
Lavender
Ivy ( late flowering good at the end of the year)
Sedum
Rosemary.

Another way to encourage bees is to make or buy a bee house.

These are very easy to make. I had cuckoo bumblebees in a terracotta bird box which were brilliant to watch with the daily routines and their behaviour.

The blue sky and warm weather lasted all day, the birds were singing and very active. These two blossom eaters spent the afternoon preening and relaxing taking in the sun!