29-07-2003, 11:32 PM
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No bees visit Monarda 'Jacob Cline'
oway (Tyra Trevellyn) wrote in message ...
Does anyone here grow Monarda 'Jacob Cline'? This is the only variety I've
ever experienced that attracts absolutely NO bees or butterflies....never in
the three years I've grown it. (It does, however, attract Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds.) This is a beautiful plant, very PM resistant, with huge deep
red flowers and a long bloom season. I'm really curious about the lack of
insect pollinators (except some moth, it seems, that lays eggs so its larvae
can mutilate the blooms....), since bee balm is normally a major attractant.
And yes, I've got lots of bees of many species.
Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7
In some long tubular flowers of which Monarda is certainly one, bees
do not have long enough tongues to reach the nectar and must either
wait until another insect has cut into the flower from the side or
make the cut themselves.
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