When I was a kid, the kitchen windows were decorated with colorful curtains printed with flowers and the word “cosmos.” The word was upside down and right side up and sideways. Not only did I think that was stupid, but I didn’t know what “cosmos” meant (I thought it had something to do with the […] Read more
I love this photo sent in by Aram Frangulyan of Auburn, WA. The flower is so bright and cheerful, it makes me happy about fall. Aram writes: Snapped a bumble bee on a dahlia at the Point Defiance rose garden on September 7th. Did not think that dahlias were all that interesting to the pollinators, but apparently some […] Read more
I love the idea of seed bombs. The first time I heard about them I wanted to go out and toss them everywhere, but at the same time, I knew they wouldn’t work. Actually, they will work in places where you don’t need them, but will almost never work in places you do. More often […] Read more
I am grateful to all the beekeepers who recommended Autumn Joy sedum for my bees. I was reluctant to buy it once I found it at the garden center because, honestly, it was the ugliest plant I’ve ever seen. Truth is, I’ve had a bad attitude toward any kind of succulent plant ever since I […] Read more
Dilemma. Back in February, I asked any of you who are planting Lemon Queen sunflowers to take pictures of your bee visitors so I could display them in a photo gallery. Apparently, I didn’t think this through properly—my Lemon Queens are now approaching ten feet tall, while I (camera in hand) am still down here […] Read more
A discussion of water sources for bees would not be complete without a mention of guttation. Drops of liquid that you see along the edges of a leaf—or sometimes at the very tip—are actually drops of xylem sap. The process that delivered the sap to the leaf margins is called guttation. Drops of xylem sap […] Read more
Here are some nice photos of Autumn Joy sedum with honey bees attached. It seems like everyone knew about this plant except me, so I’m happy to catch up. Beekeeper Marc Balboa, who made the photos, says: My bees are crazy over them. Native bees too, although I’m not sure which. Bumble bees for sure, […] Read more