AddictedToBees

Tag: Solitary bees

  • Play bee peek-a-boo

    Play bee peek-a-boo

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    beanie
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    Have a closer look around your garden in spring, and look out for little volcanoes of sandy soil in your borders, raised beds and even on the lawn. These are not ant nests (not that ants are the bad guys), but they are the nests of some of our mining bees. Usually Andrena spp. We…

  • Events in 2026

    Events in 2026

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    beanie
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    Join Jean Vernon for a special talk, walk, workshop, bee safari, in 2026

  • Dandelion

    Dandelion

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    beanie
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    Taraxacum officinale You might be surprised to find dandelion in my best bee plant list, but these bright, vibrant landing pads are virtual nectar bars for all pollinators in spring. Take a look around the garden in March and April and see what is in flower for our early emerging bees. You are bound to…

  • Wool Carder Bee

    Wool Carder Bee

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    beanie
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    The Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum) is an iconic summer garden bee. It’s a solitary bee and will sometimes nest in a garden bee house. If you grow the plant commonly known as lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) spend some time watching the bees that visit. The male wool carder bee is very territorial. He knows…

  • Lamb’s Ears

    Lamb’s Ears

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    beanie
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    Lamb’s ears is a magnet for bees, especially the wool carder bee

  • Leaf-Cutter Bees

    Leaf-Cutter Bees

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    beanie
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    Look out for the leaf-cutter bees in your June garden. You might notice the notches on your rose leaves.

  • Borage

    Borage

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    beanie
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    Many herbs, like borage are fantastic plants for pollinators. The flowers are generously rich in nectar. It’s easy to grow from seed and a great bee plant.

  • Solitary Bees Podcast

    Solitary Bees Podcast

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    beanie
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    Here’s a great way to learn more about solitary bees. Listen in to the Wildlife World Community Podcast where Jean Vernon and Professor Jeff Ollerton talk about solitary bees

  • Ashy Mining Bee

    Ashy Mining Bee

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    beanie
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    The Ashy Mining bee is just one of the 65 or so Andrena species in the UK. These are the ground nesting bees that excavate their nests in close mown areas of the lawn, bare soil and sunny banks.

  • Hairy Footed Flower Bee

    Hairy Footed Flower Bee

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    beanie
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    The Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) is one of the earliest emerging solitary bees. By the end of February and into early March the male of the species climbs out of his egg chamber and into the sunlight.