I must admit that I wasn’t very taken with this plant when I first saw it, but I have grown to love it. Its long beautiful spikes of blue/purple flowers are an absolute ‘lolly shop’ for the hundreds of bees that visit it every day. I’m talking about my Echium.
A few years ago I planted one in my chook pen for the reason that they attract bees and I thought that it would be great for the pollination of my fruit trees. It was planted between the grafted pear tree and ‘King Billy’ plum tree and opposite my large Jonagold apple tree. This year it has produced the most magnificent display of flowers, which will last for many weeks. I also have a pink variety
and although the bees visit it they do prefer the blue flowers. Bees love blue flowers. I have also discovered that about one hundred small seedlings have popped up near the main plant – so I will have some extra plants to transplant into other parts of my orchard at home and at the shop.
For those interested in reading more about our farm I have put together a few photos and a bit of information about it. Just click on 'Our Farm' under The Shop section on the left of the blog.
Linda :)
Well Linda, thankyou I've been wondering what these beauties are, I'm allergic to bees but would love to put some at my front gate as they are lovely to look at in full flower - are they common at nurseries?
See You Soon Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Heynemann | October 24, 2008 at 09:07 PM