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mochyn

Ivy flowers

Our wood store is supported by a huge ivy which is covered in flowers. It's also covered in contentedly humming bees. Can I encourage people to grow ivy more? It's very beautiful and, as long as it doesn't get under your eaves, is very little trouble against a house wall. So lovely, it's making a bid to hide our house in the same way as the wood store! Very good late summer foraging for insects (bees, butterflies...)

Go on, you know you need some!
Tavascarow

One of the most important plants for the honey bee & wildlife generally.
My colonies can be empty of honey in August & by November brimming with enough stores to keep them through the winter.
Ivy flowers have the ability to replenish their nectaries to ensure maximum pollination & that also means more nectar for the bees.
Shame the honey is rank but the bees like it.
A great alround wildlife plant providing nectar & pollen for insects at a time of year when little else exists & berries for birds & mammals again late in the winter when little else is available. Also shelter for hibernation insects & invertebrates & nesting sites for small birds like wrens.
Gets my vote.
Very Happy
mochyn

Should we start a thread on plants for bees? (And wildlife generally, perhaps).
earthyvirgo

Yes, that would be great.

The garden here is a 'buzzin' with bees all over the large headed sedums at the mo. They look really drunk Smile

It's a lovely sight.

EV
GSHP

Quote:
Should we start a thread on plants for bees? (And wildlife generally, perhaps).
Very Happy

Absolutely gets my vote
mochyn

OK I'll start one.
GSHP

Very Happy I'll join in
Treacodactyl

mochyn wrote:
Should we start a thread on plants for bees? (And wildlife generally, perhaps).


There's already one and you've mentioned ivy in it. Wink

http://forum.downsizer.net/about8471.html
mochyn

Treacodactyl wrote:
mochyn wrote:
Should we start a thread on plants for bees? (And wildlife generally, perhaps).


There's already one and you've mentioned ivy in it. Wink

http://forum.downsizer.net/about8471.html


I'm a caft baggage, aren't I? In my defence I may say that I had a rubbish night's sleep. Perhaps I need to condense all the information into and article: WHAT AM I SAYING?
Treacodactyl

We can either keep both threads or you can copy everything into the old thread and I'll remove the new one if you wish?

Back to ivy, the berries are also eaten by birds and others love to nest in it, so very useful.
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