Blossoms All Year Around - With Shrubs

At this time of year, especially with the very mild winter (so far), it's important for our BEEs to have a source of food. I was out at a local bee farm and was surprised at how much activity there was. Of course, it's early in the year, but there are bees and other pollinators that could use a bit of food. It was nice to see a couple of bees on her Viburnum.

If you can, consider planting some shrubs that provide blossom at different times of the year.  Adrian Doble, our resident bumble BEE expert, has provided a nice list of some shrubs you can consider. The shrubs are relatively easy to find and easy to care for. 

For Blossom In	Consider These Shrubs
January	Salix caprea pendula - Kilmarnock Willow Clematis cirrhosa - Winter Flowering Clematis Ulex europeaus - Gorse Corylus avellane - Common Hazel
February	Erica Darleyensis -  Winter Heather
March	Daphne odora aureomarginata - Winter Daphne
April	Ribes sanguineum - Flowering Currant
May	Chaenomeles japonica, - Japanese Quince Weigelia Rosmarinus officinalis - Rosemary Philadelphus delavayi - Philadelphus
June	Cotoneaster simonsii - Himalayan Cotoneaster Erica darleyensis - Summer Heather Ceanothus  burkwoodii - Californian Lilac
July	Rosa canina - Dog Rose Lonicera Americana - Summer honeysuckle) Syringa vulgaris - Purple Lilac
August	Lavendula Hidcote - English Lavender Potentilla fruticose - Shrubby Cinquefoil
September	Buddleja davidii - Butterfly Bush
October	Salvia fulgens -   Cardinal Sage Hebe - in particular,“E A Bowles”
November	Abelia grandiflora - Glossy Abelia
December	Mahonia japonica - Japanese Mahonia Lonicera fragrantissima  - Winter Honeysuckle Viburnum bodnantense - Viburnum ‘Dawn"

In this list, I have included both the Latin name and a common name. 

Voucher Signup Has Begun

You can now signup for the Let's BEE Friendly in Cookham Rise project!

If you live in Cookham Rise and want to sign up for a £5.00 voucher for some specially selected bee-friendly plants, read about the scheme here: https://lbfcookhamrise.blogspot.com/2020/01/details-of-lbf-offer.html.

To get your vouchers: Click here and fill in our online form.

And for some small print, please read: https://lbfcookhamrise.blogspot.com/2020/01/lets-bee-friendly-more-details.html

And please tell your friends and neighbours!