Honey bees and all wild bee species feed on nectar and pollen. They prefer food sources that are close to the hive. Early flowering plants are particularly important so that the animals can feast on them after the long winter break.
Is corkscrew willow good for bees?
The corkscrew willow is an excellent plant for bees, as it provides plenty of pollen and nectar in spring, which is essential for feeding and raising the brood of bees. It is characterized by its bizarre growth and twisted branches.
Is the corkscrew willow a good plant for bees?
The corkscrew willow is agood plant for bees, because the pollen in particular from plants that bloom in March and April provides the insects with a lot of food for their first brood. The segregated tree produces catkins with stamens that provide abundant pollen, as well as nectar-rich female flowers. This makes the corkscrew willowone of the most valuable spring forage plants for bees.
Why are nectar and pollen so important for bees?
Nectar and pollen are themost important bee food In the first three days, the bee larvae receive a food juice that the nurse bees produce in their food juice glands (hypopharyngeal glands). From the fourth day onwards, the larvae, from which workers and drones will develop, are fed with a mixture of honey and pollen. In order to raise the hungry brood, the hard-working animals have to collect a lot of pollen.
The emergingbees quench their thirstmostlythrough the nectar, which they find, for example, in the female flowers of the corkscrew willow.
How do I recognize the corkscrew willow, which is so valuable for bees?
This fast-growing willow impresses with itsbizarre growthand the picturesquetwisted branches. Since it can grow eight to twelve meters high, the shallow-rooted plant is more suitable for large properties.
- Leaves: Narrow, lanceolate
- Leaf color: fresh green top, whitish-bluish underside
- Flowers: Approximately two centimeters large, whitish-gray catkins
- Fruits: Small capsule fruits
At which locations can you cultivate the corkscrew willow, which is important for bees?
The corkscrew willow isextremely undemandingIt thrives in almost all soils, provided they are not too dry. Once rooted, the tree requires almost no care and, due to annual growth of fifty to eighty centimeters, quickly reaches a considerable size.
Tip
Can you care for the corkscrew willow in a bucket and thereby offer food to bees?
This valuable traditional plant thrives in a sufficiently large pot (€75.00 on Amazon) on a balcony or terrace, where it forms an attractive privacy screen. The enormous growth can be kept in check by pruning.
