Green Porn in the Germander

 Dan Jason from Salt Spring Seeds tells me that Wood Germander (Teucrium scorodonia) is one of the most popular plants for bees in his garden. It has taken 2 years for the plants to bloom, but now I have been watching and waiting for the bees to come. It turns out the wool carder bees in our back yard love this plant and they are monopolizing the patch. The males are horny flying ninjas, pushing out competing bees and humping the females like there's no tomorrow. Honeybees and bumblebees try to get into the blossoms, but eventually give up.

 Even though it is far from a red tubular flower, the hummingbirds love it.

 I saw something really interesting today. A little black bee was gnawing on the edges of these yellowed rose leaves. It seemed to be ingesting the leaf pulp to use in the nest. I think it was some kind of Osmia.

Here's a little leafcutter in the nodding onions at the MACC herb garden.

Here's the pollen on her butt.

Thanks to all the friends who have been helping me in the garden since I broke my arm.

Hugs and Kisses