If you want to grow something that’s great for our longer tongued bees like the hairy footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) and our carder bumblebee (Bombus pascourum) as well as the garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) and our red tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius), then honeywort (Cerinthe major purpurescens) is a good choice.
It’s easy to grow from seed and once you’ve got it, it self-seeds, especially into gravel.
It’s common name, honeywort is a clue to its importance to our pollinators. It’s very rich in nectar and plants that have overwintered, will start flowering in March and April depending on the weather. This is perfect timing for our emerging pollinators and especially the bumblebees and solitary bees.
Image: Jean Vernon
It takes a long tongue to reach inside the flowers for the nectar, so it’s ideal for the spring emerging hairy footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) and our carder bumblebee (Bombus pascourum) as well as the garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) and our red tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).
It’s easy to grow from seed and a much more cost effective way to fill pots and planters with bee-friendly flowers. If you have plants left over, give them as gifts or donate to a pollinator plant sale.
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