Do bees like comfrey flowers?
Do bees like comfrey flowers?
Comfrey – The flowers of the Comfrey plant are bell shaped and purple in color. The nectar is savored by the pollinators and beneficial insects in the garden. Not only is Comfrey a good food for the bees, it also nourishes the soil when used as a mulch.
Are comfrey flowers poisonous?
Symptoms: All parts of the plant are poisonous. Ingestion may cause delayed liver damage. Repeat exposure may lead to liver failure. Death has been reported.
What flowers are poisonous to bees?
Rhododendron from the heath family (Ericaceae) is poisonous to bees and humans. It contains an andromedotoxin. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) also contains an andromedotoxin which can poison humans. California buckeye (Aesculus californica) – has caused losses of honey bee colonies throughout its range.
Should I let my comfrey flower?
If you are using comfrey for mulch, cut leaves as the flowering stalks begin to emerge, any time from late spring through autumn. This can be done several times a year, as this herb continues to send up new flower stalks all season long.
Do Hollyhocks attract bees?
Hollyhocks attract birds, butterflies and bees. They are biennials, which means that they grow leaves during their first year and bloom the second year before going to seed and dying. My favorite spot in my summer garden always has tall 4 – 8 ft. stalks of hollyhocks blooming.
Do bluebells attract bees?
Bluebell. Again, it is the purple-blue colour of Bluebells which will attract bees in their droves. For many bee species, the sustenance of Bluebells’ nectar is vital during the early spring months.
What do you do with comfrey flowers?
After working with this talented plant for 30 years, here are what I think are the seven best uses for comfrey.
- Plant Up Shady Areas.
- Bulk up Compost.
- Feed the Bees.
- Use Comfrey as Mulch.
- Ferment Comfrey into Fertilizer.
- Make a Comfrey Poultice.
- Comfrey Tea for Houseplants.
Are comfrey leaves safe to eat?
Today, eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth isn’t recommended. It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them.
What is harmful to bees?
One group of insecticides which is highly toxic to honey bees cannot be applied to blooming crops when bees are present without causing serious injury to colonies. Among the materials in this high-risk category are diazinon, Imidan, malathion and Sevin.
Are daffodils poisonous to bees?
Other bee-friendly bulbs to plant now include grape hyacinths, winter aconites and snowdrops (although winter aconites and snowdrops are more successful when planted “in the green” in spring). Daffodils tend to be avoided by bees unless there’s nothing else on offer.
Is comfrey harmful to dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog.
Why do bees love hollyhocks?
Hollyhocks are good for bees and pollinators. The bees want pollen and nectar rich flowers, and hollyhocks provide plenty of nectar and are loaded with pollen.
