Worldwide Beekeeping
Sustainable Living => Gardening => Topic started by: Bakersdozen on January 10, 2016, 07:44:25 am
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Does anyone know if heirloom perennials are more bee friendly than the everyday version? I hope that made sense. The one heirloom that comes to mind would be an old rose that has a great scent. I am inclined to think that the term "heirloom" doesn't really make much of a difference when referring to bee friendly plants.
I know that the hybridized versions of natives produce less nectar and pollen. Example: purple coneflowers. Nectar is sacrificed to get a unique bloom. They don't attract any pollinators.
I am itching to start some perennial seeds. Burpees carries a couple of interesting heirlooms. Bonariensis Verbena, which I have seen and it is a honey bee magnet planted in a large group. http://www.burpee.com/flowers/verbenas/verbena-bonariensis-prod001064.html?omn2pd=rv (http://www.burpee.com/flowers/verbenas/verbena-bonariensis-prod001064.html?omn2pd=rv) Also, Licorice Sweet Marigold looks interesting. I am not familiar with it, but the flower looks very honey bee friendly http://www.burpee.com/flowers/marigolds/all-marigolds/sweet-marigold-licorice-prod001080.html?catId=cat110002&omn2pd=bz (http://www.burpee.com/flowers/marigolds/all-marigolds/sweet-marigold-licorice-prod001080.html?catId=cat110002&omn2pd=bz)
Does anyone have any thoughts, experience or suggestions?
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Hi Bakersdozen, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I usually start getting "the itch" around this time of year, too. I'm living in a temporary rental-house at the moment and won' have a garden at all this year. I started receiving all the seed-catalogs a couple weeks ago. I expect full-blown DT's in a few weeks. :D
I don't know if Heirloom type flowers generally are better for foragers or not, but generally try to stick to heirlooms in cases where self-seeding is an issue. The idea you postulate makes sense, however there may be some that run the opposite (e.g. bred for greater nectar).
I used to print the seed packets for Burpee among others. There are some great seed companies out there these days. Check out:
https://www.botanicalinterests.com
http://www.heirloomsolutions.com/Default.asp
I have used both companies and been very happy (Heirloom solutions has some hard-to-find healing/medicinal herbs). Botanical Interests has a "Pollinator Friendly" and "Attracts Bees" section in their catalog (and they're really nice people, too!)
https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/flowers/attracts-bees
In my yard last year Bee Balm and Butterfly Milkweed were constantly being visited. I also used to see them on Irish Bells when I had those.
- Kevin
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Most of my heirloom perennials have bulbs, but what the bees really like right now is broccoli in bloom and since I have been busy and not picking I have a good supply