There is quite a buzz in the garden in the low Autumn sun as pollinators jostle for space on late flowering, nectar-rich plants.
Butterfly on Aster amellus ‘Rudolf Goethe’
Clear favourites are
- Verbena bonariensis,
- Asters
- Sedum spectabile
- Butterfly on Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’
Lavendula ang. Munstead
Honeybee on Aster amellus ‘Rudolph Goethe’
Erysimum
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis
Bee just visible on Nasturtium
Herbs too are clear favourites.
Oregano and thyme
Colony Collapse Disorder
I think all of us must be aware now of the global crisis concerning the fall in bee numbers – Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Insect pollination is essential for many crops, particularly fruit, which we depend on.
One in three mouthfuls of what we eat needs to be pollinated.
As gardeners, we can help alleviate the problem by avoiding pesticides and providing adequate food and habitats for them.
So, now that’s its autumn, you may be reviewing your planting …. perhaps you can spare a thought for the bees.
What bees like :
- plants in the blue/mauve spectrum
- native plants; hybridisation has reduced available pollen/nectar
- a succession of flowering plants throughout the growing season
- feeding in sunny, sheltered areas
- herbs
- wilder areas to forage
Maybe a meadow instead of a lawn?
Imagine what we gardeners could do if we took action to save our bees?
(All photography mine; feel free to use any of Jardin’s images but please credit and link back)
Jardin 
Such beautiful flowers. Thank you for sharing. I’ve got quite a few dahlias and rudbekia flowering at the moment so hoping this will help the pollinators along a bit. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Sophie!
Autumn flowering plants are the important ones for bees to build up their reserves for winter.
LikeLike
Very sound advice and thank you for encouraging us to get busy now as we will benefit also with lovely plants next year
LikeLike
Ah, thanks Christopher. Yes, this is the perfect time for dividing perennials, putting in bulbs (crocuses, muscari & fritillarias for bumblebees) and generally reviewing the hits and misses this year!
LikeLike
Great photos of the bees! I was stalking bees the other day and did not get a good shot. The same activities are going on here and the flowers are full of bees and hummingbirds getting ready for winter.
LikeLike
Had to be very patient! Love the thought of the hummingbirds.
LikeLike
Pingback: Biodiversity and Bull Island. | Jardin
Fantastic photos of bees enjoying your lovely flowers. Have you read Dave Goulson’s ‘A Sting in the Tail’? Best book (gardening or otherwise) that I’ve read this year from a very entertaining bee expert.
LikeLike
Glad you like the bees (& flowers).
I haven’t read it – thanks for the recommendation… now on the list! Don’t know my bees at all but have recently bought a handy pocket identification guide.
LikeLike
Pingback: Garden Trends for 2014 | Jardin