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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Squash64 on June 14, 2009, 17:20:31

Title: The bees love this plant
Post by: Squash64 on June 14, 2009, 17:20:31
I've got a patch of Phacelia on my plot which was supposed to be dug in as green manure before it flowered.  I'm glad I didn't because the bees really love it.

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/Aragona/DSC_0013.jpg)

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/Aragona/DSC_0012.jpg)



Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: Rhubarb Thrasher on June 14, 2009, 17:24:35
thanks for that. The Eco-warriors on a plot near me have that, and I was wondering what it was called. Bit frightened to ask them what it was, just in case they started going on about Biodynamics and things turned nasty  ;D
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: manicscousers on June 14, 2009, 17:35:55
we missed a few and they're flowering happily in the middle of the potatoes,  ;D
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: nilly71 on June 15, 2009, 17:37:31
I have some growing from under my raised beds, but because of the size i will now have to tie them back so i can use the path.

I have loads of bees and it's so nice seeing them all over the plant.

Neil
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: Digeroo on June 15, 2009, 17:48:19
The bees love these plants but too busy with them to do a detour round the runner beans. ;D ;D  I managed to get it in pink and purple a few years ago but lost the strain, so I have started again.  So if anyone has a pink one I would very much like some seed.



Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: caroline7758 on June 15, 2009, 17:51:08
I always leave some of mine,I love it as much as the bees do!
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: Bjerreby on June 16, 2009, 19:14:35
Yep. I've got it too. Phacelia sows itself, and it has moved to under my eaves where it is very dry. It seems to like it there.

Phacelia flowers early in the year, which is also a fine thing. The early bees love it, and once the Phacelia is done, they are on the sage, thyme and then hyssop. It is a good combination of colours too.

By the way, I've stopped putting Phacelia in the compost heap............it pops up everywhere !
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: saddad on June 16, 2009, 19:19:42
Yes, but it's a very distinctive seedling so easily removed if it's in the way...  ;D
Title: Re: The bees love this plant
Post by: manicscousers on June 16, 2009, 20:47:47
bit like borage, it's popping up everywhere, makes good compost fodder  ;D