Hedgie may be small but his knowledge is big when it comes to plants that help our winged friends refuel. As the days lengthen and flowers begin to blossom, here are a few early spring blooming plants that can feed bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. Dandelion - Welcome this weed or at least entertain it for a spell to help feed the bees. Pulmonaria (Lungwort) - Dainty bell shaped flowers in blue and or pink/purple offer buzzing friends and the early hummingbird a colorful treat. Lamiastrum (Yellow Arch Angel) - a sometimes pushy groundcover that loves to trail over shady areas, these yellow spring flowers draw in bees and other pollinators. Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum) - a common weed that may be one of the first yanked by early gardeners cleaning up their flower beds, this soft-leaved plant offers an early source of pollen and nectar to hungry bees. Consider removing unwanted plants from the garden after they have flowered or at least until other pollinator food sources become available and abundant. Tiarella (Foam Flowers) - A popular perennial for shady gardens, tiarellas offer fuzzy little fairy wands of pink or white blooms above their foliage as a spring snack for pollinators. Their buds offer even earlier color before opening into fluffy flowers. Moss Phlox and Creeping Phlox - Ground hugging perennial phlox for both sun and shade (one for each) offer early blooms in a variety of colors. Virginia Bluebell - This native staple of spring is well loved by both pollinators and people alike. Bleeding Heart - These heart shaped blooms are not only pretty to look at, they help pollinators too! Stay tuned for more tips from Hedgie about how to help our pollinator friends!
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Tales of Douglas Furr (and his friends)narrated by Crissy Clossin Archives
February 2024
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