suzie000 Posts: 8. Note: Please note that insects do not adhere to man-drawn borders on a map and as such they may be found beyond their listed 'reach' showcased on our website. Where does it grow? They displace native plant species, interfere with the production of agricultural crops, increase erosion, destroy wildlife habitat and decrease property values. The bees adore the flower, so one way is to wait for the flowers, then cut off and compost all leaves. :) from Jasmine 7 May 2016 at 20:53 Green alkanet. is Greek, Alkanet, or popularly known as alkane has several similar names such as dyer’s bugloss or hoary puccoon. Green alkanet blooms in spring and early summer. It reminds me a little of forget-me-nots, with its small It also likes Viola odorata, Pulmonaria, especially P. longifolia, Cerinthe, and Green alkanet (Pentaglottis). MIND THE PRICKLES as green alkanet. Family: Boraginaceae: Genus: Pentaglottis (pen-tuh-GLOT ... now it's taken up a lot of space in mine. This can be a bit of a thug in gardens but bees love it. Insects are typically drawn to a given area by available food supply, weather, environmental factors (pollution, etc...), water supply, mating patterns, etc... and can be territorial. Sorry Myosotis. Green Alkanet. It enjoys damp shaded places and once it finds a home it likes, it can become a rampant weed self seeding and regenerating from its deep roots. Bee Hives, Supers, Frames, Foundation, Honey Containers, Smokers, Beekeeping Books, Queens, Packaged Bees, and much more. Lupin especially common mallow and musk mallow Wound worts (Stachys sp.) lavender, June. Looking like a particularly robust forget-me-not (to which it is related), Alkanet, Pentalottis sempervirens, can be seen growing in urban situations beneath hedgerows, on waste ground and in neglected gardens and allotments - but it has not always been so. many bees of different types absolutely love it: bumblebees, the honey bee, and various View gallery. Plant either of these and you will see this bee in quantity. Bees are irresistably drawn to this wildflower. Globe Thistle, August. See active ingredients, product application, restrictions, and more. Alys Fowler answered a question about whether green alkanet could be composted recently: I have heard this before, too, but it really is fine to compost, although you may want to soak it in a bucket of water for a few weeks first to make sure it doesn't rise from the dead via roots that haven't quite rotted away. Common carder bee and Early bumblebee on green alkanet. The leaves are compostable. Globe Thistle, August. Alkanet root is quite large and thick with reddish color. Pentaglottis sempervirens - enjoyed by this male hairy footed flwoer bee (anthophora plumipes). The leaves are hairy green like Bugloss’s leaves. Even in years when bee numbers were down, some always found their way to this garden to visit the Green Alkanet. Along the country lanes where I live, Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis Here's what I've been finding them on in local parks.… London bees now have a new mix of wild and garden flowers to choose from. 5 Reasons To Add Wildflowers To Your Garden, Why Honey Bees And Honey Bee Deaths Matter, Planning a bee-friendly garden - free PDF. :) from Jasmine 7 May 2016 at 20:53 Our hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday and weekends by appointment. and by my bees. It is self-seeding, flourishing in part shade & our Highbury clay soil. sempervirens) grows in abundance. https://www.7wells.co.uk/alkanet-389-p-asp. Each leaf becomes a large, prickly green paddle, well protected from hungry wildlife. July 2016. July 2016 in Plants. Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) is a member of the Boraginaceae family, the same as forget-me-not’s, hence my confusion but is more closely related to borage and comfrey. borage, tight clusters of flowers (see buds to the left above), green alkanet sparser flowers (see below) Prevalence of Borage and Green Alkanet. Green Alkanet, Evergreen Bugloss Pentaglottis sempervirens. This was the first male of the season for me and looks very fresh with bright colours. However, an alternative plant offering similar (or even better) value for bees is Anchusa officinalis, also known simply as 'alkanet' or Common Bugloss - another cousin of the borage plant. Common carder bee and Early bumblebee on green alkanet. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Seeing so many bee visitors, garden guests are likely to ask ‘What is that blue flower?’. It's in just about the sunniest spot in the whole garden (received wisdom says the green alkanet is useful for semi-shade, and it probably is, but the bristliness and the Spanish homeland says that this is really a plant equipped for sun). Green Alkanet. Alys Fowler answered a question about whether green alkanet could be composted recently: I have heard this before, too, but it really is fine to compost, although you may want to soak it in a bucket of water for a few weeks first to make sure it doesn't rise from the dead via roots that haven't quite rotted away. Its stamens are hidden inside narrow Yes, it's pretty and the bees love it but it's taking over the garden. They will seek out the last blooms on stems that have fallen to the ground. Green Alkanet grows mostly along the east coast of Ireland but is found in many gardens, however be warned, once it gets into your garden, it is quite difficult to expel it as it has a very stubborn tap root. It is the favourite plant - the overwhelmingly favourite plant - of a crowd of small bumble-bees. If you dig it up, any morsel of root left in the ground will become another Green Alkanet. 0. nutcutlet Peterborough Posts: 26,160. Butterflies, bees and hoverflies have loved this weather and we have had many new sightings, on Rose ‘Canary Bird’, dandelions and perennial wallflowers in our back garden and, a short walk away, in Earlham Cemetery. 0. Plants grow in partly shaded to shaded sites in garden settings, woodlands and … This is all 100% I have loads of different lavender, and a pink be a blue ceanothus, all of which the bees love. They seemed eager to get into arguments with other pollinators, including bee flies when they encountered them on the wing. This bee nests in tunnels in dry ground, or in old walls. This plant is much visited by bees and belongs to the family Boraginaceae. It is a pretty plant on its own, but it becomes more interesting when its … It's related to borage, but not borage. As it grows, its leaves & stems become covered with bristles that are painful to the touch. Here at Lappe's Bee Supply, we promote successful beekeeping by offering the highest quality beekeeping supplies, the best live honey bees and queen bees around, and a ton of bee keeping 101 knowledge to all beekeepers! flower-tubes which end in a white eye in the centre of a blue flower. older green alkanet with flowering stems. July 2016. If only I could have persuaded this mason bee to keep still whilst I took its photograph! But what about its worth as a dye plant? Knautia Macedonia, June. Some are still with us - white dead-nettle, gorse, dandelions, green alkanet; while others, like horse chestnut and daffodils, have faded. Humans working near the plant should wear gloves. Allow the flower to remain for the bees. What's the difference between honey, bumble and solitary bees? I have some huge (for my garden) clumps of lesser knapweed. Apparently, the word "alkanet" derives from Middle Join now. This plant is much visited by bees and belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Note the generally furry look, the yellow head and the orange-pink tail. Green alkanet spreads around and there's usually more than one plant. Green Alkanet. It is a nightmare weed. The pretty blue forget-me-not flowers of green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) are attractive but it soon becomes a weed in damp shady gardens. It also likes Viola odorata, Pulmonaria, especially P. longifolia, Cerinthe, and Green alkanet (Pentaglottis). But what about its worth as a dye plant? It is tolerant of slightly shaded verges, but Honey Hollyhocks. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "always alive", or "evergreen". At the Ecology Centre we are provided with gauntlets – tough, rugged gloves reaching almost to the elbow – for tasks involving prickly plants. It is pollinated by bees and bumblebees. Bee fly (Bombylius major) nectaring on herb robert Male early mining bee (Bombus pratorum) on green alkanet. We want to keep some of it but despite a lot of digging, it keeps coming back where we don't want it. I see bees on the green alkanet from as soon as they flower but I did not note dates. Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens) is a member of the Boraginaceae family, the same as forget-me-not’s, hence my confusion but is more closely related to borage and comfrey. Bees are irresistably drawn to this wildflower. Male early mining bee (Bombus pratorum) on green alkanet. Its stamens are hidden inside narrow flower-tubes which end … Iris Foetidissima May/June. – Green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens), – White dead-nettle (Lamium album, – Red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum ... or Hedge Brown butterfly, Bees along with Hoverflies pollinate its large white bell shaped flowers. Green Alkanet grows mostly along the east coast of Ireland but is found in many gardens, however be warned, once it gets into your garden, it is quite difficult to expel it as it has a very stubborn tap root. Leave every last blue flower for the bees, then cut the plant down at the base. Anyway, the reason I’m such a big fan of it, is because so Moths too visit the flowers because they … I finally got a photo of one beginning of June. The bees go right inside the flowers. something different. It is the favourite plant - the overwhelmingly favourite plant - of a crowd of small bumble-bees. Green Alkanet – credit Pete O’Connor. blue flowers, but look closely and the leaves and stem are a give-away that it’s solitary species, can all be spotted feeding on this wild flower in late April/May. It can grow Bees Favourite. Other names: Bird’s Eye,  De Overblijvende ossentong (Dutch), Evergreen Bugloss, Green-leaved Perilla, Pheasant’s Eye. How many plants are there? Green Alkanet. Flowers, which are an intense BLUE, may appear as early as March & bloom well into the summer. Yes, I know what you’re thinking – it’s blue. So, so invasive and it spreads like wildfire and grows quickly and roots so deeply and strongly. It isn't borage but is Alkanet. The flowers have moved on since my last post in May. Flowers. The leaves are compostable. Honey bee foraging on Pentaglottis sempervirens. Index of all insects found in Kansas. If you dig it up, any morsel of root left in the ground will become another Green Alkanet. 6 more photos VIEW GALLERY. It is related to two herb plants also loved I'm not sure the temperature range of each but I do know that green alkanet is often one of the first flowers in Spring providing food for bees and it dies back in time for other flowers to take over. I see bees on the green alkanet from as soon as they flower but I did not note dates. **Add this bee-utiful hive to your apiary while supplies last** The Cedar Wood Hive Kit is $980.00. Plant either of these and you will see this bee in quantity. suzie000 Posts: 8. A star attraction in Earlham Cemetery has been Green Alkanet, Pentaglottis sempervirens. Hi, I'm helping a friend sort the garden out and we identified a flower/weed? This bee absolutely adores early flowering Comfrey (Symphytum Hidcote Blue, and S. grandiflorum) as a nectar source. Once the flowers are over (late summer/autumn) remove leafless alkanet flower and root and dispose of in council compost. COPYRIGHT 2010 - 2020: WWW.BUZZABOUTBEES.NET The stout stems of Pentaglottis sempervirens may grow to one metre in height & require staking. At least 3-4 red mason bees – Osmia bicornis – patrolling and foraging exclusively on the green alkanet flowers, occasionally coming to a rest and basking on the leaves, especially in brief moments when the sun passed behind the clouds. It's in just about the sunniest spot in the whole garden (received wisdom says the green alkanet is useful for semi-shade, and it probably is, but the bristliness and the Spanish homeland says that this is really a plant equipped for sun). Ladybird4 Third rock from the sun Posts: 29,577. As a conservation volunteer, you learn that ordinary gardening gloves are inadequate for dealing with some wildflowers. If it were me, I wouldn't keep it in order to attract bees. It enjoys damp shaded places and once it finds a home it likes, it can become a rampant weed self seeding and regenerating from its deep roots. Knautia Macedonia, June. Hollyhocks. Green alkanet self-seeds widely and takes a while to get established before blooming. Little wee birdies come for the seeds, too. It was growing here and other yards in my neighborhood. We love green alkanet! According to the RHS, Green alkanet spreads by seed and regenerates from the deep perennial Iris Foetidissima May/June. This was the first male of the season for me and looks very fresh with bright colours. Green Alkanet, a perennial wildflower native to Western Europe, has been here in this country since at least 1700. upto about 80cm / 32 inches, and the flower stems are quite hairy. lavender, June. Snap Bob. So why is it called green alkanet? •Bee Brush •Smoker (Red, Green, Yellow or Blue) •Queen Excluder •Entrance Reducer •Wood Handle Frame Grip •Frame Perch •50% off coupon to an "Inside the Hive Class" at pickup! It is a lot of work to get out. Each leaf becomes a large, prickly green paddle, well protected from hungry wildlife. Good ‘Weeds’ for Bees - Page 2 Mallows (Malva sp.) Needs to be contained, if you don't want it to spread. This bee nests in tunnels in dry ground, or in old walls. OP, I have masses of green alkanet too. Thus it provides welcome food in early-mid Spring. The second part of its scientific, latin, name (Pentaglottis sempervirens) means ‘always alive’ or evergreen, possibly because the leaves start to appear in late winter or early spring, adding a splash of green to the last grey tendrils of winter. by bees: borage and comfrey. Looking like a particularly robust forget-me-not (to which it is related), Alkanet, Pentalottis sempervirens, can be seen growing in urban situations beneath hedgerows, on waste ground and in neglected gardens and allotments - but it has not always been so. The plant belongs to herbal plant with very specific health benefits for human health, particularly for its root. meaning "five tongues" and the species name sempervirens is Latin, and means The genus name Pentaglottis is Greek, meaning "five tongues", and the species name sempervirens is Latin, and means "always alive", or "evergreen". green alkanet Sold by 3 nurseries. Note the generally furry look, the … Place your orders to buy live bee hives online or call us at 641-728-4361 to pick up local from our bee supply honey farms. My top four wildflowers, rated for thorns, prickles and pain, are. especially hedge woundwort Hempnettles (Galeopsis sp.) Yes, it's pretty and the bees love it but it's taking over the garden. tap root. I also see it blooming happily along the sunny roadside verge. Once the flowers are over (late summer/autumn) remove leafless alkanet flower and root and dispose of in council compost. Green Alkanet is a perennial wildflower, native to Western Europe. This tough easy to grow hardy perennial will attract many different types of bumble bee with its bright blue flowers that appear from April onward. Green alkanet can look similar to annual bugloss (Anchusa arvensis), common bugloss (Anchusa officinalis) and blueweed (Echium vulgare), other plants in the Boraginaceae family. 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Know what you ’ re thinking – it ’ s leaves my top four,. Flowers have moved on since my last post in may in council compost in! Become another green alkanet from as soon as they flower but I did note... Between honey, bumble and solitary bees inside narrow flower-tubes which end in a PB5 padded bag shredded... A blue flower? ’ early as March & bloom well into the summer but about! Very specific health benefits for human health, particularly for its root is much visited by:... For bees - Page 2 Mallows ( Malva sp. flower stems are quite hairy and S. grandiflorum ) a. I could have persuaded this mason bee to keep some of it but it 's taken a! Could have persuaded this mason bee to keep some of it but it 's pretty the! Out and we identified a flower/weed and there 's usually more than one plant habitat and decrease property....