'm still obsessing over the Bees, but the Bees themselves are currently obsessing over the teasels, to the point where they're pretty much covered in pollen. Quite honestly, from even the most disinterested garden design standpoint, the teasels are a disaster. They're biennial so I've not had them in the garden before now, and it's been a long wait. But they're too huge in this compact London space, and currently choking out more delicate things. I'm still slightly in love with the prehistoric gigantic nature of the beasts, but it's a pleasure I'm going to have to put off for a grander scheme than this. Currently my dilemma is whether to yank them out after the Bees have done with them, or leave them so the Birds get some seed.... hmmmm. Opinions?
Bees really love teasel, better than any other plant, IMO. Teasel is only just beginning to come into flower. You ought to be able to get some photos with 3 or 4 bees on each flower head.
ReplyDeleteBut teasel is not really worth leaving for the birds, especially if you're short of space.
But you might want to keep some ripe teasel seeds, and sow them now, or look for some seedlings, so you'll have a couple of plants for next year.
A teasel or two always pops up in my garden from a wildlife seedpacket I threw about a few years ago. Fortunately not too many though they even seed in the shade and have to reach for the sun in awkward curves. I'm a bee obsessive too so the teasels stay
ReplyDeleteLaura x
Another vote for the teasel for the pollinators. At least one of two. We are trying to get it going here in Tennesse with collected seed last fall. So far I don't even see the plants. Yet.
ReplyDelete:-)
Frances
That should be one OR two. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteLove these photos!
ReplyDeleteLike your teasels, I had a similar dilemma with our thistles. They're invasive here, and no fun to accidentally bump into, but the flowers are gorgeous, and the bees are just dotty about them. Makes it difficult to have the heart to rip them out.
ReplyDeleteyes the teasel is a lovely plant but have you ever considered the eryngium 'blue hobbit' which grows about one foot tall and is loved by the bees...
ReplyDeleteRight, decision made: I'm going to yank out two or three of the most troublesome plants when the flowers are done. I'll leave the smaller ones to self seed a little, but I'll try and be ruthless about where I let them come up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input everyone, very helpful!
I know you liked Elspeth Thompson's writing and thought you would like to know about this new award from The Conservation Foundation in association with The Sunday Telegraph and Green & Black's Organic. The closing date is 17 September and we are hoping for lots of entries. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/7881722/Gardening-Against-the-Odds-awards.html
ReplyDeleteI'd leave them, take them out post birds, hang upside down and spray silver for the dark days of winter.
ReplyDelete