Wordless Wednesday – Edgeworthia chrysantha

March 2, 2016 / Julie / 25 Comments

Plants for pollinators – Edgeworthia chrysantha in the RHS Garden – Wisley

Wordless Wednesday – Late Winter Flower Power – Berberis darwinii

February 24, 2016March 10, 2016 / Julie / 37 Comments

Berberis darwinii

Berberis darwinii can provide a good protective nesting site, within its dense thorny branches for birds. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for pollinators. Autumn berries provide food for birds.

Wordless Wednesday – Winter’s Headily Fragrant Sarcoccoca

February 17, 2016March 10, 2016 / Julie / 48 Comments

Sarcococca confusa – tiny white flowers packing a powerful scent, followed by black berries

Tiny white flowers and last years red berries still remaining on Sarcoccoca ruscifolia var chinensis

After her winter hibernation Buff-tailed Queen Bumble Bee dusted in Sarcoccoca pollen seeking nectar.

Sarcoccoca hookeriana var digyna, its tiny white winter flowers providing nectar and pollen for Honey Bees

Packing a powerful fragrance, three forms of Sarcoccoca in the Anglesea Abbey Winter Garden providing pollen and nectar for awakening Queen Bumbles and other Pollinators.

Wordless Wednesday – Plant for Wildlife – Mahonia aquifolium

February 10, 2016 / Julie / 34 Comments

Mahonia aquifolium

Nectar and Pollen maybe taken by Blackcaps, Bluetits and House Sparrow. Berries eaten by Blackbirds and Mistle Thrushes. Early flowering nectar source for Bees and Bumblebees. Bright Line Brown Eye, Cabbage and Peppered Moth Caterpillar Food Plant. Non-native introduced to UK in 1823.

Wordless Wednesday – Crocus tommasinianus with Pollen Laden Anthers

January 27, 2016 / Julie / 48 Comments

January Plants for Pollinators – Crocus tommasinianus with Pollen laden Anthers – Crocuses are pollinated by Moths, Beetles and Bees and are a source of nectar for some early Bees.