What blooms where and when

[Bakersdozen]

Yes, lazy.  The stem is square and if allowed to remain until spring, they are hollow.  My neighbor doesn't like them because they block the view.  They have multiplied over the years and have become a little thicket.  With all the rain we have had, the seeds have sprouted and they are really tall this year.  It is a prairie plant, so I image there is a tap root.

[brooksbeefarm]

The only thing i can think of blooming now is Perry. Jack

[lazy shooter]

Jack:

So you think Perry is the flower of his family.  He is the blooming idiot?  You think? 

lazy

[brooksbeefarm]

I was thinking his spirit in starting his honey house and his passion for bees? But i think your take is better. Jack

[lazy shooter]

This is Mexican Petunia.  It is an invasive, drought resistant plant that is green all year long.  It spreads from the roots and is a FAVORITE of bumble bees.  They are on it every morning.  I just weeded around the edges to keep it the size that I want.

lazy

[Nugget Shooter]

Fall flow just starting here in Central Arizona Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) has just gone into flower for the second time this year with the monsoon rains




Also Tamarisk





And allot of small wild flowers and grasses coming as well....

[Bakersdozen]

66061:  Sunflowers starting to bloom and saw some Goldenrod showing a bit of color.

[riverbee]

neat photos everyone! cool to see the pix of what's blooming where you live!

goldenrod is awesome here this year!  best since 4 or maybe 5 years, and started several weeks ago, and still going strong! bee balm, thistle and another rally of crown vetch. we have had quite a bit of rain (and some downpours) and storms with extremely high winds; lots of flooding and downed trees. power and internet going out.  old massive cottonwood came down, not sure how old this tree was, 100? 200? maybe older? it was massive!  older neighbors said it's been there since the beginning of time........ bad part, when it came down, came down in our prairie restoration area. 

flooding on the river also took out our bridge........guess it's going to be out until 2018.......... i really don't care.........we have a back way in....

i have seen a plant/flower i have never seen before here on the river, the bumbles are working it, trying to find out what it is! 

[Bakersdozen]

66061:  Sweet autumn clematis
Vitex has another flush of blooms at the top because of all the recent rains.  Bumblebees were working it hard tonight.

[Bakersdozen]

66061:  Sedums, goldenrod, blue pitcher sage and Caryopteris.

[vvand111]

Thanks to all of the posts. I am making notes on what I am planting here for my bees and for a natural environment.  It is better than grass no matter how it works out.

[Bakersdozen]

Thanks to all of the posts. I am making notes on what I am planting here for my bees and for a natural environment.  It is better than grass no matter how it works out.

vvand111, what zone are you in?  8?  I would think crepe myrtle would be a good place to start.  Crepe Myrtle has a lot of varieties to choose from and is a very good pollen source and a good nectar source.  Not knowing your situation, I would suggest getting acquainted with what nectar and pollen producers are growing in your neck of the woods.  When you know what is available, figure out their bloom times.  If you can, you will want to plant something that doesn't bloom when everything else is blooming.  This will give your bees something to bring in and less you have to feed.  Your local county extension office or the University of Georgia might be helpful with bloom dates. 
Keep us posted on what you decide.  Sounds interesting.

[Bakersdozen]

66061:
After last Friday's torrential downpours I am seeing another flush of blooms on the Vitex tree.  This tree has been blooming since early June.
Bees are bringing in orange pollen which I assume is Maximillian Sunflower.

[brooksbeefarm]

Goldenrod is just starting to bloom, i hope the bees work it like they did last year, in years past i rarely seen bees on it? Like B12, my vitex is blooming again, and the Moon flowers. If all goes well i think we will have a good Aster bloom, with all the rain we've had the plants are huge. Jack

[neillsayers]

Lot of Joe Pye Weed in bloom here

[riverbee]

jack, we had a prolific goldenrod bloom this year.........it was early, and now just dying out.  goldenrod everywhere. walk through the goldenrod to the river and my bees all over it..........pretty cool!

[Bakersdozen]

These are photos I took at work, on 9/13, in South Kansas City.  The first is an example of a native Aster.  The color of the petals bleached out in this photo.  They were really a pale lavender.
The 2nd and 3rd are White Snakeroot, a member of the Eupatorium family which includes Joe Pye Weed.

Pictures 1 and 2 have Smart Weed at the bottom.  It's the sweet little pink bloom.  Smart Weed is supposed to be a nectar plant for honey bees, but I have never seen any bees working it.  In some areas it is supposed to be a significant resource.

[brooksbeefarm]

RB, like you said, the goldenrod is everywhere this year, and it's just starting to bloom. I watched a patch in full bloom yesterday and seen 3 bees on it along with wasp, bumbles, and beetles that look like lightening bugs? For some reason bees don't work goldenrod here like in other parts of the country, but last year they were all over it? The Beefsteak mint has it's spike and is about ready to bloom ( seems a little early?) , and the bees will work it like crazy and leave the goldenrod alone The Aster and Spanish Needle are starting to bud out and my Buckwheat is in fuill bloom. I broadcast 1/2 an acre of Rape yesterday, it should bloom in late Oct.? I've heard bees like it, but the honey from it isn't that great? I also broadcast an acre of Crimson clover only, just to see how the girls take to it. Jack

[neillsayers]

Goldenrod starting to bloom everywhere. Also Snakeroot and white deadnettle.

[lazy shooter]

For those of you that have never seen one, here is a picture of some tumble weeds.




lazy