It seems to be a good year for
Ceanothus (Californian lilac). Shrubs in gardens are so laden with brilliant blue flowers that you often barely see the leaves.
Ceanothus seems to be very attractive to pollinators; especially bees like the flowers and we often see quite a number of different species busily collecting pollen and nectar, even on less sunny days.
Ceanothus needs a sheltered sunny spot in well-drained soil, away from cold winds. It will flower in spring and the flowers attract an array of pollinators. Bumblebees, solitary bees and honeybees will be the most frequent visitors but you can also spot the occasional hoverfly.
So why not plant a Ceanothus this year if you have a suitable spot in your garden and want to attract pollinators?
Here are some of the pollinators we have found visiting Ceanothus flowers:
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| Bombus pratorum (Early bumblebee) |
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| Ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria) |
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| Another mining bee (Andrena sp.) |
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| A bee-mimic hoverfly |
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| Bombus hypnorum (Tree bumblebee) |
It seems to be a good year for Ceanothus (Californian lilac). Shrubs in gardens are so laden with brilliant blue flowers that you often barely see the leaves. Ceanothus seems to be very attractive to pollinators; especially bees like the flowers and we often see quite a number of different species busily collecting pollen and nectar, even on less sunny days.
Ours is a hive of activity with numerous types of bees. I love taking photos of them too.
ReplyDeleteI Love it...Bee-ing natural. Photos are great!
ReplyDeleteNot all ceanothus attract bees - we had one in a house we moved into and it was covered with them, we have moved house twice since and bought ceanothus and neither of them have attracted bees at all. Research needed to find ones that really work.
ReplyDeleteI also planted one for bees, but it has not been popular, despite other varieties nearby being busy with bees
DeleteMost likely there is no hive where you are.If there was your ceanothus would be teeming with bees
ReplyDeleteI planted mine mainly for our indigenous bees, especially solitary bees, which visit my garden a lot, as do several Bumble bee species, but nothing visited this Ceanothus
DeleteNicce share
ReplyDeleteMine has been humming with pollinators until this year but not a single one this year. Any one else suffered like this?
ReplyDeleteMine has done well this year although the flower is nearly of it now the bees were thick on it this year so I must have some hives nearby.
ReplyDelete