I have a small flower bed on one side of front drive that contains an out-of-control Lambs Ear and a five-foot tall, LARGE Comfrey plant among other things. Both are now sporting "spent" blossoms, but are still strong BEE MAGNETS with the little guys buzzing around the plants in numbers unimagineable! With the drought last few years, and the problems the poor bees have had, I was just OVERJOYED to see this, witness their busy flights and humming away! Is it possible the wee critters are making a "comeback" as I..personally..haven't seen this many bees in several years. Has anyone else witnessed an increase in numbers around their garden plants?
I have an increase in bee numbers in my garden too this year. I don't know if it's the introduction of native wild plants that I'm growing or if the bees are on the increase. Whatever the reason they are a very welcome sight.
Say W&S... if you chop off the leaves and stems of that comfry, it will make new leaves and flower again got you this season. You can use the leaves on your compost heap. It makes excellent compost.
Thank you for feedback all, am so GLAD to hear of good "bee sightings" in so many areas, have really been worried about them! Sjoerd: thank YOU for comfrey comments. Have written about its valuable properties several times, did two blogs on the subject here. What isn't used fresh, is dried for winter/next year's use, wouldn't have a garden without this plant!
got beez! hi everyone, i posted my success with the honeybees in the postings about the dead bees. i'm ecstatic to have a large population in my garden and they're safe from chemicals. the clover i planted is in bloom, along with flowering sedum and other pollen plants, and they seem to be in bee heaven.boy am i relieved...when i check the southern garden in the fall where the everyone but me piles on huge amounts of pesticides on the lawns and backyards - we'll see if any survived and live in my garden. mary