Callistemon citrinus

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by adamsh, May 19, 2013.

  1. adamsh

    adamsh Gardener

    Joined:
    May 11, 2013
    Messages:
    131
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Kent, United Kingdom.
    Ratings:
    +121
    Nothing too exciting, but it looks like the honey and bumble bees have started to take notice of my 2 Callistemon :)

    Over the last couple of days I have seen a couple of both diving head fist into the brushes to get what ever it is the flowers produce (not sure if its Nectar or Pollen).

    When I first got them there was conflicting information, some saying bees like them and others saying they don't go near them, not sure if it is the lavender that has made them take notice of it (I planted 3 different lavender types close too and under each one).
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fern4

      Fern4 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 30, 2013
      Messages:
      16,335
      Gender:
      Female
      Occupation:
      The gardener of the house!
      Location:
      Liverpool
      Ratings:
      +7,491
      I've just googled it and they look really nice. I can feel a purchase coming on!

      I've noticed this conflicting information regarding what bees like and what they don't. For instance I've tried plants that bees are supposed to like which others have recommended on the net and yet the bees that visit my garden won't go anywhere near them. :dunno:

      Are the bees visiting anything else in your garden apart from lavender and callistemon?
       
    • adamsh

      adamsh Gardener

      Joined:
      May 11, 2013
      Messages:
      131
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Kent, United Kingdom.
      Ratings:
      +121
      My Garden is quite new, and only seems to be on the flight path on sunny days. I have a few bee friendly plants that they are ignoring Erysimum Bowles being one of them.

      The only other one I have seen them show an interest in is Arabis rose delight, but that is starting to drop its flowers as it is a march to may plant.

      I have some foxgloves and Lupins growing, but that haven't flowered yet, I also have a large pot with wild flower seeds and a smaller pot with Phacelia Tanacetifolia which the bees are supposed to love.

      One thing I did do was visit my local garden centre and see what plants the bees were showing an interest in there. What I did notice is that most of the bees were ignoring the plants with little RHS Bee friendly labels on.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jan 30, 2013
        Messages:
        16,335
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        The gardener of the house!
        Location:
        Liverpool
        Ratings:
        +7,491
        It's funny you should say this as in my garden the bees are loving Erysimum Bowles! They are visiting Arabis too which is also called rose delight.

        I do exactly the same and watch the bees at the garden centre. There weren't that many bees though. I only saw them on the french lavender so I bought one. :biggrin:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

          Joined:
          May 5, 2012
          Messages:
          27,775
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Public Transport
          Location:
          At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
          Ratings:
          +52,224
          They were more interested in my tomato plants last year than anything else in the garden
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • adamsh

            adamsh Gardener

            Joined:
            May 11, 2013
            Messages:
            131
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Kent, United Kingdom.
            Ratings:
            +121
            I managed to get a couple of short videos, but mr bumble bumble (as my niece likes to call them) was camera shy.



             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Fern4

              Fern4 Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 30, 2013
              Messages:
              16,335
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              The gardener of the house!
              Location:
              Liverpool
              Ratings:
              +7,491
              The bee seems pretty happy on those flowers. :blue thumb:
               
            • strongylodon

              strongylodon Old Member

              Joined:
              Feb 12, 2006
              Messages:
              14,992
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Wareham, Dorset
              Ratings:
              +29,914
              I have always had Bees on Callistemons and colour doesn't matter either, red, pink, yellow, orange or green. I presume as yours is in flower that it is a recent purchase as they would not normally be in flower yet.:smile:
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • adamsh

                adamsh Gardener

                Joined:
                May 11, 2013
                Messages:
                131
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Kent, United Kingdom.
                Ratings:
                +121
                I bought them in B&Q about 3 weeks ago so fairly recent, I have been trying to find out how long it flowers for in the UK, according to the labels that came with the plant it said Feb to June.

                If that's incorrect and they flower much later then that makes me happy, I have been deadheading the spent flowers and there are a lot of new shoots waiting to flower so it looks like it has a while to go yet.

                I do have a couple of questions for you seeing as you have them.

                1) I know the seed pods form from the little acorn cup looking pods that the actual flower comes out of, but what are the little brown cone shaped things that appear on the stalks, are they future flower spikes`?

                2) some sites say deadhead when the flower fades, a few of mine are no longer the bright red with orange tips, and are a dull dark red, are these ready to be cut off? I have been waiting for all the little hairs to fall off before cutting.

                Cheers
                 
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice