I’ve been meaning to show you at least one bee on this plant all summer as it has been swarming with them since May and with still a few flowers left there is still the occasional striped visitor.
The plant itself can’t really appear here in its own right as it’s most definitely one that we planted and not a native to London (we first saw them growing wild in the Isles of Scilly), indeed Mrs.LDNP grew it from a seed. Echium piniana it’s called and they’re usually tall spires over eight feet tall and bedecked with light blue flowers after a couple of years but after which they die I think. This specimen is only a couple of feet tall and a ball rather than a tower as a result of last winter’s cold spell I think. Still, a glorious treat for both the bees and us all summer long.
Here in Sunny Sidmouth(Devon ) we have many echiums, some 30 years old. Unfortunately last winter, even though milder here than in many places, killed off loads, so hope fully more will beplanted. They are an example of prehistoric plantlife apparently…….
LOVE THE BEE !
This plant is a close relative of our (Australian) weed Patterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum), also known as Salvation Jane and when flowering in vast fields of purple, Riverina bluebell. Apiarists like it.
Love your photos – I like to look at the LDNP oak in the snow, it help me think cool thoughts in the baking heat of Aussie summer.
That poor bee has been working very hard and is at the end of its life. I can tell from its raggedy wings.
Thanks Rosy, most interesting…I didn't know they were as far North(!) as Devon but have seen them in maninland Cornwall so not surprising….mind you a sheltered London garden is probably as warm!
Thanks Susanna.
Thanks Gillian, most interesting to find similar plants in a very different continent. No sign of snow yet here though…we don't usually get it until January or February.
Oh, poor thing Witchy.