Tuesday 4 November 2008

Mahonia and honey bees............

It was a little milder today..........not sunny.............
but temperatures had encouraged the honey bees to leave their hives.......

Mahonia Charity had opened her blooms................


what perfect timing..........bees need blooms all year round....when temperatures rise they will leave the hives regardless of the time of year........because of careful planting I have blooms for every season.......and for the bees I have a sanctuary where they will find all they need, whatever the month.............



18 comments:

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

There are still bees in my garden too as there are still some plants in flower. Today it was misty the whole day, so no bees. Just a little puppy running around like a buzzing bee. ;-)

Cheryl said...

We have had many days with mist....it has also been cold and windy.....this is the first day for around three weeks that we had reasonable temperatures........

Puppies certainly keep you busy....have fun.....

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Cheryl, I always think of Mahonia as a southern plant. How cold does it get in your part of the world? I don't think there is a Mahonia that will live in our zone. I think they are such beautiful plants.

Wendy said...

Oh what a lovely post! Those bees must be so happy to have found your sanctuary, where they are well fed and cared for.
The soft, buttery yellow of your mahonia is pretty. I'd love to trade some of my moss for your mahonia. What do you say??

marmee said...

i hope to one day have my garden planted to all seasons. this is my first year here and it needs so much work. have a great time watching the bees.

Rose said...

Cheryl, another new plant to me! I'm not familiar with mahonia, but it has lovely blossoms. They look perfect for your bees to enjoy. We have had beautiful weather for a week, but I haven't seen any bees here since the cold temps more than a week ago. I think your bees know they have a good thing going there and stick around longer than they do anywhere else:)

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa.....Mahonia can survive quite low temperatures........we can drop to minus 5C and I have know times to go as low as minus
9C here.........they like shade though, mine are planted in dense shade and do so well......if they are happy they will flower for most of the winter......

Cheryl said...

Wendy......I have moss here because we live in a damp ares But yes please, I can never have too much.....and I can always take a cutting of the Mahonia.....lol

Cheryl said...

Hi Marmee......I remember our first year here (7 years ago).....it takes a long time to make a garden......I don't think mine will ever be finished.....I spent yesterday expanding beds.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose.....I think they come from the hives in the village.....and bees will always take the quickest route to blooms.......they know something will always be available here........I welcome them and am honoured that they come.......

Gail said...

Cheryl,

I love these guys! They are fantastic garden helper and seem happy on the lovely yellow mahonia flowers.

gail

beckie said...

Cheryl, no wonder the bees love the Mahonia. It is a beautiful flower and adds much cheer to a fall garden. Those bees know a great place to gather pollen is your sanctuary and probably travel miles to get there.

Thank you for your kinds words today. I will treasure them.

Cheryl said...

Tku Gail.....

Cheryl said...

The bees are always so good to see Beckie.......I have thought of you on and off all afternoon.....we never know what others are dealing with in life, do we?

Libbys Blog said...

It looks to me from what I see on this blog that the wildlife love your garden too.Well done Cheryl!

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
You are a wise gardener.
The bees love you for your careful attention to them.
Hard frost has taken most of my blooms. I do put fruit out for the bees and butterflies after frost.
They seem to love pears! Often I will sit outside with my morning pears and the bees come right after them! I always share.
Lovely to see your bees. I think your -9C is about 15F in my gardens. In the dead of winter it can get as cold as -10F or -24C here. Some years I am lucky.
Always lovely to visit you.
Glad you had a warm up!
Hugs,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry I try hard to feed the bees kneeds.......I love to see them visit, and know they will find some blooms to help themthru the winter.......

Gosh, now that is cold Sherry......I am not sure about the conversion from C to F.....I will have to check this......

Hope that your crafting is going well......

naturewitch said...

oooh, this looks like a plant i should investigate. thanks! xx