It is very hardy and cold tolerant, and … Its vibrant blue flowers are a great source of pollen, and observers will see bees carrying the blue pollen from the flowers in their pollen baskets and scobae. Growing only 4-8" tall, these little wonders will grow wonderfully along a wooded edge or in a flowerbed border. While the tepals of Siberian Squill are single-veined, the tepals of Wild Hyacinths usually have 3 veins and their flowers don't nod Siberian squill (Scilla sibirica) is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae) and one of the first of the spring-flowering bulbs to brighten the landscape in early spring. The little blue Siberian squill is why the native bees are there. Squill announces a new garden season with bursts of dark green grasslike foliage. In the past three days I have photographed three species of bumble bees, male mason bees, and of course honey bees, all frolicking in the Siberian squill. The bright blue flowers of the Siberian Squill (or Scilla) are one of the very first of the spring blooming bulbs to brighten up the landscape. The leaves seem to emerge overnight in early spring. I found Siberian squill on sale online so I promptly purchased 200 bulbs for my yard. The Siberian Squill is a nonnative species and can be invasive, yet still it’s a great food source for bees. Of all the flowers that attract bees, make sure to incorporate this one into your autumn squash dishes. Siberian Squill was brought to this country as an ornamental and is still sold in Minnesota and elsewhere, but it has also escaped into the wild and become invasive. An exquisite little bulb that is an excellent source or early spring bee forage for native bees. At our Chester County Beekeepers meeting last night, we had a speaker talking to us about bee nutrition. Family Asparagaceae . Nasturtium. Siberian squill (Scilla sibirica) is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae) and one of the first of the spring-flowering bulbs to brighten the landscape in early spring.It is one of more than 100 species in the genus Scilla that are native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Siberian squill is extremely hardy and can survive in zone 2 (-50F)! Some varieties of Siberian Squill may produce racemes of 2-3 flowers on some stalks, but such racemes are shorter and have fewer flowers than the racemes of Wild Hyacinths. Full sun. I don’t know what species/types of bees Siberian Scilla are designed for but I do know that some North American flowers have their own special bee … As noted in this excellent bee brochure from the City of Toronto, “As soon as the weather becomes warm enough in late March or April, Common Eastern Plasterer Bees start emerging from their overwintering burrows in the ground. Siberian Squill An excellent source of blue pollen. New plants come up from both bulbs and seed, yielding thick stands in just a few years. These tiny blossoms decorate the garden for two to three weeks and, when planted in large masses, they can be enjoyed from a distance. Genus Scilla are perennial bulbs with narrow basal leaves and erect stems bearing racemes of star-shaped, flat or bell-shaped flowers which are often blue . Unless you’re a beekeeper it’s better (for nature) to have plants that best serve native bee species.

Bulbs for the Bees. Next in our series of pollinator-friendly plants is Siberian Squill (Scilla Siberica). Apr 5, 2014 - Blue Pollen gathered by my honeybees is from the beautiful Siberian Squill flowers. It readily spreads itself and is difficult to get rid of, as broken roots often resprout. Bees love sage's beautiful flowers, and these perennials are rather easy to grow. nodding flower on each stalk. The plants die back by the time the lawn starts to grow, so they can be mowed over with no problem. "When a honeybee forages for pollen, it grasps the blossom's anthers and chews on them, softening the pollen with its mandibles. USDA zone 9 - 11. Try planting them under a … What is Siberian squill?

The bee's pollen baskets are full of steel-blue pollen. Blooms Summer through Fall. Nasturtiums can keep bees buzzing in … The tufts of foliage are quickly followed by arching flower stalks that support one to three nodding blue or white flowers. Males cluster around virgin females that are digging upwards to … Other common names Siberian squill . The bees need the protein that comes in … Siberian Squill has steel-blue pollen. Fortunately, though there are some rumors about the flower being edible, no deer, rabbits, voles, chipmunks, or other wildlife has seemed drawn to it. Posted in Bee-loving flowers, Bumblebees, Natural Beekeeping, Tower of Jewels, tagged Allium, bee-loving flowers, beekeeping, bees on Oregon Coast, Gardening, grape hyacinth, honey bees, natural beekeeping, Siberian Squill, Snowdrops, Tower of Jewels, Wild pollinators on November 19, 2013| 10 Comments »

Cellophane bees are a vernal species. After seeing the bees with these bright blue pollen filled baskets I was on a mission to locate the flowers. [ Reply to this comment | ] Posted by Ispahan (Chicago - Zone 6a) on Jul 4, 2012 7:37 PM. I could not resist to, yet again, try to get the perfect shot of the blue pollen that the bees gather from the tiny Siberian Squill.