Bees

torbrex

I want to cut back the Lavatera in my garden, I always let it grow as big and wild as it wants because it attracts lots of bees all summer long.

This year I would like to cut it back so that I can get on with some other work in that part of the garden but I don't want to deprive the bees of the flowers they love so much.

Does anyone know roughly when the bees will stop visiting the flowers or is it a case of, if they are there the bees will come?

I tried looking on gogs but I was only getting answers about feeding bees sugar water which incidently has given me an idea for a new feeding station for the spring

Gers

torbrex wrote: »

I want to cut back the Lavatera in my garden, I always let it grow as big and wild as it wants because it attracts lots of bees all summer long.

This year I would like to cut it back so that I can get on with some other work in that part of the garden but I don't want to deprive the bees of the flowers they love so much.

Does anyone know roughly when the bees will stop visiting the flowers or is it a case of, if they are there the bees will come?

I tried looking on gogs but I was only getting answers about feeding bees sugar water which incidently has given me an idea for a new feeding station for the spring

Lots of views with no replies.

I just did an internet search and got this:

http://www.honeybeesuite.com/bumble-bees-hibernate-honey-bees-do-not/

Hope it helps a little.

JJ_Egan

Still working in my garden those Busy Bees .
Guess its cold related more than anything .

torbrex

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Still working in my garden those Busy Bees .
Guess its cold related more than anything .

Its a bit cooler here today and certainly not as many bees about but they are still coming

harrys_nan

We are still getting some Bees in the garden, but I have cut my lavender back. The bees are on other plants that are still in flower,
So even if you cut it back I am sure you have other Bee friendly plants.

harrys_nan

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

This is interesting

torbrex

harrys_nan wrote: »

We are still getting some Bees in the garden, but I have cut my lavender back. The bees are on other plants that are still in flower,
So even if you cut it back I am sure you have other Bee friendly plants.

The lavatera is about the last of the flowers, thats why I was asking

harrys_nan

When I go to the garden centre or somewhere to buy plants, I always buy plants that have bees on them. We haven't lived in this house a year yet, so it is still work in progress.

sheramber

When to Prune Lavatera

Lavatera are best pruned in early to mid Spring.
How to Prune Lavatera

Here is a short 3 step guide to pruning Lavatera shrubs:

Tools Required: Secateurs, Loppers and a Pruning saw.

Using a clean, sharp pair of secateurs cut down all the stems to within 1ft of the ground. For the thickest stems you will need a pair of loppers or even a pruning saw.
If there are any weak or brittle stems that snap easily when you bend them then these should be removed right down to soil level because they are probably dead. Another way to check is to scrape a small section of bark away with the blade of your secateurs, if it is green under the bark the stem is alive, if it is brown it is dead.
Pruning cuts you make on healthy stems should ideally be made just above where you see the stem slightly bulging or swelling. It is at this point that the new stem shoot is developing under the bark.

Lavatera shrubs live their short lives to the full, give them a bit of annual care and maintenance and you might enjoy them for longer than expected!

http://www.plantadvice.co.uk/garden-advice/articles/shrubs/lavatera-pruning-care-and-growing-tips/66