Bulbs For Bees: Youth and Community Groups

Crocus Tommasinianus Barr’s Purple

Barr’s Purple’ has rich purple-lilac flowers, silvery outside, with orange stigmas and stamens. It has tufted green leaves with a central silvery-white stripe. They grow well in a sunny spot, or under deciduous shrubs. They grow well in most soil types, once they are not too wet for too long. This variety of crocus is a good source of pollen for honeybees early in the season.

Flowers in February – Approx. 10 cm in height

Allium Moly

Otherwise known as “Yellow Garlic”, this is a popular ornamental onion, and certainly one of the easiest to grow. It bears bright yellow, star-shaped flowers which are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Grow Allium moly in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It’s well suited to growing in a mixed herbaceous border and also beneath trees and shrubs.

Flowers June – July – approx. 25 cm in height

Muscari Armeniacum

Otherwise known as Grape Hyacinth – a good supply of nectar which attracts the butterflies and bees. M. Armeniacum is a strong-growing bulbous perennial, with narrow, arching green leaves and erect stems bearing dense spikes of deep violet-blue, egg-shaped flowers. They grow well in a sun or semi shade area and are a super at naturalising!

Flowers in March/April – approx. 15 cm in height