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Are busy lizzies of any use to bees? I haven't grown them for some years but now they are back again and more disease resistant I'm thinking of brightening a shady patch but I don't recall ever seeing bees on them? I haven't noticed bees on zonal pelargoniums either. I'm trying to make sure that nearly everything I grow encourages bees and don't want to take up valuable space with these plants if they are not particularly beneficial.




Answers

 

No use to bees that I'm aware of, never seen any on mine over the years, but I've had seed pods on them so maybe consider other insects besides bees ?

28 Apr, 2019

 

I believe Impatiens walleriana is native to South Africa - there, a butterfly pollinates the flowers, but they are unattractive to bees here. I think they're self pollinating too, rather than relying on other insects... but they are very useful for colour in shady areas of the garden during summer.
As for pelargoniums, they don't seem to attract bees at all - many of them may be sterile, depending on what hybrids they are, but I have seen a seed pod or two on pelargoniums, so somehow, they may get pollinated, not sure how though. Seaburngirl probably knows...

if you want bees and other pollinators, avoid double flowers, many of those are sterile or the pollen is inaccessible... some dahlias attract bees, those with open, daisy style flowers such as Bishop of Llandaff.

28 Apr, 2019

 

One factor is busy lizzies (we call them pansies) are cool/cold weather plants, bees need warm weather before they leave the hive. So those aren't ideal plants for bees. So many richer sources of nectar now - cherry, crabapple, pears - most fruit trees are in blossom.

Here is a list of 10 bee magnets for early Spring:

https://growbeautifully.monrovia.com/10-early-blooming-cold-hardy-beauties-pollinators-love/

28 Apr, 2019

 

not really much good for bees as the pistil is hidden in the early stages. I am also replacing many doubles with singles. doubles are sterile because the male and female parts become extra petals instead of being reproductive structures. However they will still visit the area so no need to not have them. in shade I find Telima, Heuchera and heucherella flowers good for bees and they are all happy in partial shade.
pelargoniums seem to attract hoverflies in my garden. not noticed bees on them and I often have a pot of them on the pond wall where I can sit by and watch the comings and goings of the insects.

That's interesting Bathgate, what do you call pansies [violas] then? I assume viola.
That's the reason botanists give plants scientific names as then every one can recognise the same plant ;o)

28 Apr, 2019

 

We have Pansies, Violas & Johnny Jump Ups. Not sure what distinguishes one from the other.

28 Apr, 2019

 

Just had a browse on tinterweb and found that Johnny jumps up is Viola tricolour which, in the UK we tend to call it heart's ease, though it has many other colloquial names and is a native wild flower in the uk. often found in field margins.

28 Apr, 2019

 

Thank you everybody. Yes, any pollinating insects are welcome but one reads so much about bees being under threat.....
I'll watch for hoverflies on my pelargoniums this year,however, since I have already ordered a dozen.
I have some quite good shade plants including tellima and some heucheras but would like a splash of bright colours. I shall look at the list of 'magnets' with interest. Love the sound of Johnny Jump Ups! I realise the botanical names are necessary for proper identification but I find the common or localised names quite fascinating!
Thank you Bamboo and Seaburngirl for the scientific info, so helpful in understanding the whys and wherefores!

28 Apr, 2019

 

Interesting note: They are edible & often sugar frosted and used as cake decorations. If the bees won't eat them, you can! lol.

28 Apr, 2019

 

Bathgate Busy Lizzies aren't like pansies and they they are happy in full sun or shade which is useful.. Their Latin name is Impatiens. Do you not have them in the States? You can root cuttings very easily in water, and they are also happy as houseplants. What more can you ask of a plant?
Love the name Johnny Jump Ups! Another name for pansies here used to be heartsease but I haven't heard that for many years.

28 Apr, 2019

 

Yes we have Impatiens here in the States but now you're talking about a different plant altogether. Impatiens are Spring/Summer bloomers. They pick up from where pansies leave off.

28 Apr, 2019

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