Val explains to us the importance of these pollinators, and how we can encourage and protect them.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve put those winter jobs, such as leaf picking and pruning, behind me. Now I’m admiring the first flowers of the year. Snowdrops are everywhere. I have many under my roses. Cyclamen coum The sun is shining on my front path and it’s in full force. The scent of welcomes me home along with the jaunty foliage and rounded flowers. Sarcococca confusa.
Crocus tommasinianus It has taken over my main bulb grass, as well as patches of winter aconites (also called). Eranthis Hyemalis. A chilly day in February is made warmer by the combination of yellow with purple. These two bulbous plants can spread their seeds only if they attract pollinators. In our gardens, the first flying bees are searching for nectar – a sugary energy drink. It’s the bee equivalent of Lucozade. After they’ve topped up their energy levels, they go on to collect protein-rich pollen and this enables them to raise their offspring.
Warmth encourages the flow of nectar
It is for this reason that early flowers are best placed in a sheltered area. As…
