Hebes and Bumble Bees

a he bee on a hebe?

When Hebes turn up in my local bargain bin I am always tempted. I'll often buy them all, and then find spaces in the garden. Hebes trim easily, make great little hedges, and look beautiful when in flower. They do need some watering, though - and sunshine helps the flowering.

Bumble Bees Are Welcome

And the bumble bees in the garden love them to bits! The Moosey Garden is alive with beneficial buzzy things - bumble bees are definitely welcome.

The Hebe in this first photograph is a Jack Hobbs hybrid. He has a series with names like 'Wiri Mist', 'Wiri Charm', and so on - they've been readily available in nurseries for some time now. Naturally I rescue any that find their way onto the sale tables at the local nurseries.

Another Bee on a Hebe

Always A Hebe in Flower

Hebes need to be in full sun, otherwise they can flower very poorly and their growth is too straggly. And perhaps then the bees wouldn't be able so easily to find their flowers!

In my garden there always seems to be one or other Hebe in flower, and of course this is brilliant for my little bumble bees and honey bees. They need feeding all year round, and I'm happy to provide them with shrubs that flower at different times. It is my duty, as a good bee hostess...

Pruning Hebes

Some of my Hebes will have scatterings of flowers at random times during the year, depending on whether or not I've pruned them. The idea is to trim as soon as they've flowered. It's a great theory, and one that every good Hebe gardener should adhere to. Oops...