Bumblebee flowers of early spring
The meaning of early spring flowers:
Climate change, when we slowly transition to summer temperatures at the end of winter, has negative impacts on insects as well. Many of them wake up prematurely after winter. Bumblebee queens need to replenish their energy after winter and they can't find it anywhere other than on nectar- and pollen-bearing plants. If they can't find flowers, these insects will die. We have already written about one such plant - the purple hyacinth . We would like to introduce other, albeit representative, shrubs that are ready to feed the hungry suckers of bumblebees, bees and many other representatives of the disappearing insect kingdom during this period.
We recommend it for gardens and the insect hit parade is won by:
Insect and gardener's stomach pahk wins:
Goat willow (Salix caprea) – male plant
Importance:
They are among the very first flowering plants to offer insects a rich food source. The pollen on male willow plants is one of the first sources, containing a large amount of protein that is very easily digestible for insects.
The blooming male flowers offer nectar and pollen in all weather conditions, whether it is cold, cloudy or windy. The shape of the catkins and the proximity of the flowers make it easy for a weakened bumblebee to be placed on them, and it can easily feed itself not only with sugars but also with the necessary protein. They can therefore be considered as such insect and bumblebee rescue-point plants .
The willow tree is a neglected native shrub, destroyed in commercial forests, and unnecessarily replaced by other shrubs elsewhere. However, it is an extremely important shrub. It can grow in any soil, and its root system is capable of absorbing toxic heavy metals from the soil.
- Up to 213 species of insects depend on the willow tree for food or development. Together with the blackthorn, it is one of the most important shrubs in our nature.
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