Bee Chronicles

8 September, 2021

What is blooming in the neighborhood? I believe they had a TV show about the neighborhood?

Remember, honeybees will go to the "best" source of nectar and pollen. In one neighborhood you might see bees on a plant that you don't see on the same plant in your area. The bees are on the one they determine to be the "best". And, that can change from day to day.

Evening Primrose is a yellow open cup, about 3 feet tall. Three to four blooms per stalk. Honeybees can get in it for pollen and nectar.

Goldenrod is orange/yellow 2-4 feet tall. Some people think they are allergic to goldenrod because they have fall hay fever. Not true, they are probably allergic to ragweed, which looks similar but is 18" tall and blooms at the same time. Goldenrod is an excellent source of pollen.

Joe Pie weed is 5-6' tall and has a wispy lavender bloom cluster on top. Honeybees can get nectar from it.

Ironweed is bright purple about 5 feet tall and has several short feathery blossoms on short stalks at the top. The blossom might be too deep for honeybees but they will visit and might get some nectar.

There will be several "fall" asters. White, yellow, tall, short, etc. the last to bloom will be the lavender ones down along water (damp) ways. Asters have good nectar but not much per bloom and lots of blooms per plant.

Fall Clematis is starting to bloom. White star flowers on a viney pile of leaves. Honeybees will go to it.

Virgins Bower is also blooming white on vines. It has a more confused piled look to it.

Many thistles will be blooming. Russian thistle is the most obvious with its purple bloom. The blossom is too deep for honeybees but everything else will visit it. Thistle live for 3 years. Don't spray them. After the color fades on the bloom, whack them down so the millions of seeds don't spread.

Butterflies and humming birds will be all over all these plants.

Hurricane weather can put a stop to honeybee activity with heavy rain and high wind. Supplement with syrup and pollen feeders.