“ COLONY COLLAPSE disorder killed off 42 per cent of North America ’ s beehives in 2015 .”
plants for pollinators
“ COLONY COLLAPSE disorder killed off 42 per cent of North America ’ s beehives in 2015 .”
Flowering Shrubs
Many perennials and shrubs produce blossoms rich in nectar , and those with clusters of small florets offer a feast for bees . Heathers ( several genera of the Ericaceae family ) and blueberries ( such as Vaccinium corymbosum ) are ideal where summers are rainy , but they ’ re hard to kill with neglect even in hot weather . Various species of elderberries ( Sambucus sp .) appreciate sunny spots close to water and grow wild as small trees in some places . They produce large clusters of bee-friendly white florets . In some parts of Europe , these floral umbels are coated in batter and fried , and the tiny , dark purple berries can be cooked down and strained to make delicious syrups and jams with powerful antiviral properties . Most of the sages ( Salvia sp .) produce colorful bee-friendly flowers on small bushes . Summersweet ( Clethra alnifolia ) grows slowly to form large bushes with deep green leaves and a dense array of pale floral clusters in summer . It survives deep freezing and hot summers , partial shade or full sun , and likes acidic soil . Knautias , especially Knautias macedonica , produce red and purple pincushion-type flowers that are very attractive to bees . Grow them in full sun and in well-drained , slightly alkaline soil .
66 grow cycle