Green Cross Code Man
Wunt be druv
This is why we use latin!
I must get some more alocasias. I find them a tad more exotic than bergenia...
Haha, precisely! However mine was a Colocasia lol!
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[Help] Gardeners Question Time.
- Thread starter Stat Brother
- Start date
Haha, precisely! However mine was a Colocasia lol!
jevs
Well-known member
Has anyone noticed a huge lack of bees this year? I grow lots of bee friendly plants....Nepeta, Salvia, Echium, Geranium, Persicaria etc and im struggling to find a single bumble bee at the moment. Don't think ive seen any honey bees either. Usually these plants are smothered in bees in the Rockery and Preston Park.
Very few butterflies too.
Very few butterflies too.
- Jul 10, 2003
- 27,778
This is why we use latin!
I must get some more alocasias. I find them a tad more exotic than bergenia...
What's latin for flamethrower, napalm, concrete, poppy seeds and bee ? (asking for a friend
)
- Jul 10, 2003
- 27,778
I've had a good few bumble bees since early in the season but very few (if any) honey bees. The butterfly I saw in the garden this afternoon was one of the first this year, it's really not good
(Been past Rockery/Rookery few times in last couple of weeks, stunning as always
)
Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
Quid latine pro flammeo, napalo, concreto, papaver et apis? (Petendo pro amicoWhat's latin for flamethrower, napalm, concrete, poppy seeds and bee ? (asking for a friend
annuunt 
So glad you have noticed that Jevs. I sit in my garden most nice evenings and love to watch the bees in and out of our borders. This year lucky to see one bee whereas other years there would be scores of them. Mrs O says it’s the weather but I am not so sure. Miss them greatly.
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Weststander
Well-known member
Genuinely, it’s been amazing here for all sorts of bees since Jan/Feb.
Feasting on Pulmonaria, Nepeta, Comfrey, Phacelia tanacetifolia and Linaria purpurea.
I noticed for the first time some active bees nests in the trench I’d dug for lawn edging …. putting that project on hold.
Taken a minute ago:
It’s been a cool and windy May/June until this week’s mini heatwave, in my experience butterflies never thrive on those conditions.
Coldeanseagull
Opinionated
Seen loads of bees and butterflies, also got done by a winged ******* on the back of my hand. Nest dealt with
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 8,872
Probably no less bees than other years in my garden which is woodingdean. Have lots of good plants. Butterflies are fewer than last year but they have seemed erratic for a while. I get most in October on the ivy flowers and they are generally red admirals.
Weststander
Well-known member
I ‘Saved’ a Common Lizard last week, found when clearing rubble in a very narrow gap between our neighbours, a beautiful little thing. Moved it to the safety of a large brick and log refuge I have for fauna. Have found a few others over the years, all moved there …. only because they might get hurt in actively cultivated areas of the garden.
My daughter’s sending me the photo she took.
Our Echiums are covered in bees. Mind you there are a couple of neighbours with hives, one of whom is a bona fide beekeeper. I have recommended they take a decent antihistamine.
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1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,235
Lots of different types of Bumble Bees in the gardens at work. Mostly on plants already named here by others. The Echiums and Comfrey especially have been the usual hotspots.
I have noticed less butterflies though, yes.
As far as a growing season goes, this Spring is right up there with that of 2020. In other words, a brilliant one!, despite it being not as warm as 2020 and April being very dry.
Last year was a very poor growing year I found. Trouble is I've forgotten, weather wise, why that was.
I have noticed less butterflies though, yes.
As far as a growing season goes, this Spring is right up there with that of 2020. In other words, a brilliant one!, despite it being not as warm as 2020 and April being very dry.
Last year was a very poor growing year I found. Trouble is I've forgotten, weather wise, why that was.
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,235
Our Rambling Rector is in full swing now. That is also pretty popular with the Bees.
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 8,872
send me the pic... i am always keen to find out where populations of them exist...in Woodingdean they are very few and far between but when i was a kit there were thousands
Jack Straw
I look nothing like him!
Although 140 miles west of Brighton, during my short stay in Somerset early this week, I've never seen so many Small Tortoiseshell butterflies ever. On the banks of a small stream, they were everywhere. Hundreds and hundreds in quite a small area. My friend who I stayed with had to get specialists in to get rid of a huge infestation of Masonry Bees on Monday.
Seems that butterflies and bees prefer the West Country over Sussex?
Seems that butterflies and bees prefer the West Country over Sussex?
Jack Straw
I look nothing like him!
My Echiums are the tallest ones I've seen in my garden. I'll post a picture tomorrow. I reckon one is at least 15 feet tall. Also, not so many bees as usual on them.
My 12-year old daughter sows a mini Wild Flower meadow in the garden every spring. It’s lovely to walk out of the kitchen on summer mornings and see it alive with bees, hover flies and countless other pollinators. Plus it costs pennies, demands zero maintenance and looks amazing.
Coldeanseagull
Opinionated
I've tried and failed, as my soil is too rich. Palms, bananas and associated tropical fauna have caused me to enrich the growing medium over the years.
i am however, penciling in an area for bee friendly plants next spring/summer
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
I’ve just levelled the ground up on my parents grave as it’s been just over a year since Dad passed…and I’ve just sown the same …here’s hoping nature agrees
Weststander
Well-known member
Very cold April and May 2021. The positive was that tulips lasted for ages.