If you were a bee would you find these flowers attractive?
They don't have brightly coloured or patterned petals. They don't have any discernible perfume. They don't provide a convenient landing area and they are really quite tiny.
So just what is it that attracts so many bees to the flowers. Is it the sheer numbers of flowers produced? Is it the movement of the stems? Do they produce specially rich nectar? Whatever the reason our heuchera flowers are always swarming with bees. They flit from flower to flower so quickly that it was impossible to snap a photo so I had to resort to a video. Even that proved challenging so please excuse the quality.
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I think it's the challenge that attracts them :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are right, Dewberry.
DeleteHow many hours do you think you have spent trying to photograph bees - not just on the Heuchera, I mean? It provides endless fascination!
ReplyDeleteLots, Mark and butterflies.
DeleteIt's the same with the cotoneaster. They're tiny flowers and not the prettiest either, but it's literally buzzing with bees at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIsn't good to see so many bees, Jo?
DeleteI have a few Heuchera already in flower in here too but I have to say the bees are much preferring the Rhododendron flowers at the moment. Maybe when the Rhodi's are over they'll move along to the Heuchera - I certainly hope so because I grew a load from seed this year and I'm looking forward to see how the little poppets do,
ReplyDeleteMine all came from just one plant that has been divided and divided, Linda.
DeleteSuch a great video! I've never heard of the Heuchera plant (I'll have to read up on them). It would be nice to have a few growing...for the bees!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Juliet, they are mainly grown for their leaf colour.
DeleteI find the trick to photograph them is to find a flower they can spend time on Erigeron in my case
ReplyDeleteYou're right, David - they browse daisy type flowers although I cauight one resting in a chive flower today. Trouible was I wanted bees and heucheras for this post.
DeleteI love watching bees at work. The purples and blues of course they love. But they work their way around the garden rightly. I have heuchera but they're not quite in flower like yours yet.
ReplyDeleteWatching them is almost hypnotic, Kelli like watching the fish swim around.
DeleteIt is a very good question. Here what bees like best are the black currants! As you know the flowers are minute and not very colourful, yet it is the first thing bees and humming birds go for!
ReplyDeleteI nearly mentioned the currants and gooseberry flowers too Alain. I;, guessing that they are nectar rich.
DeleteI spent a while yesterday trying to photograph bees on the raspberries, they seem to really love them. I was focusing on a bee and a flower, when the bee flew off, and suddenly right there in the middle of my viewfinder was a brilliant red moth. It was only there for a couple of seconds, I was lost for words, I couldn't believe my luck. And yes, I did manage to press the shutter! Lovely to see your heucheras so covered in bees. Is it my imagination or are there a lot around this year?
ReplyDeleteThat is lucky CJ - is the photo going on your blog?
DeleteIt's always surprising what attracts bees....they are all over mine too....which is a good thing!xxx
ReplyDeleteA very good thing, Snowbird.
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