The bee tree
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
United Kingdom
October 6, 2015 2:37am CST
In our garden we have quite a big Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). This produces fruits that look a bit like strawberries (unfortunately not nearly as nice to eat) and at this time of year it is covered in white heather-type bell flowers. It coincides with a shortage of other flowers and at this stage many worker bees have died off and just the queens are left, preparing to sleep over the winter. They need to fatten up to make sure they make it through the cold months, and as a result our tree is a very popular restaurant for bumblebees! As I walk towards it I can hear the humming from dozens of huge bumblebees among the flowers.
4 people like this
4 responses
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
6 Oct 15
Very interesting to learn that bees fatten up for the winter. Guess I never thought about bees when it's cold out
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
6 Oct 15
Around this time of year, we have mostly mums and bees don't seem to like those. But when I had marigolds that lasted late into the season, they were happy with them. Seems to me that at the end of the summer, bees tend to swarm around trash bins at outdoor cafes and ice cream stands, buzzing around anything that smells sweet.
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@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
6 Oct 15
Greetings, Fleur!
We have a small garden in here, but there are no plants like that one. It must be amazing to have this kind of phenomenon happening so close to you. Does it happen every year?
Having this kind of touch with nature is great to us!
Respectfully.
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