Crocus: Early Spring Forage For Bees

 

Crocus: Early Spring Forage For Bees

by Anita Deeley at BeverlyBees.com

A low maintenance bulbous perennial, Crocuses are one of the first Pollen sources available to bees in early to mid spring.

Blooms: March/April   Bee Forage: Pollen  Pollen Color: Orange Yellow

Crocus Photo by Ian A Kirk. via Creative Commons License
Crocus Photo by Ian A Kirk  via Creative Commons License

Spring blooming crocuses emerge in the late winter and early spring, weeks before other flowers are brave enough to show their pretty faces. Their hardy shoots can even be seen poking their heads through the snow and ice, beckoning spring to arrive quickly.  Spring crocuses come in a variety of colors and bloom well into March and even April here in Massachusetts. They will grow easily in planting zones 3-8.  For spring flowers, crocus bulbs must be planted in the fall. Once they are established, crocuses are easy to care for and will naturalize, coming back year after year.

Photo by Gytha69 via Creative Commons License
Photo by Gytha69 via Creative Commons License

Crocuses are in the Iris family, Iridaceae, sub family Crocoideae, and the genus Crocus They come in many varieties delighting your landscape with color. Some crocus will even bloom in the fall, but it’s the spring blooming crocus that the bees really enjoy! The flower’s enticing aroma attracts bees and native pollinators alike.

Photo by James P. Mann via Creative Commons License
Photo by James P. Mann via Creative Commons License

Spring blooming crocuses provide one of the first pollen sources of the year in many locations at a time when not much food is available for bees to gather.  Honey bees in these locations are recovering from a long winter and are actively increasing their colony’s population so they can gather enough honey for the season ahead.  They need fresh pollen at this time, as the stores in their hive are running low.  Honey bees mix the fresh pollen with honey, turning it into bee bread, which they feed their developing brood.

Photo by rittyrats via Creative Commons License
Photo by rittyrats via Creative Commons License

Crocus prefer full to part sun and well-drained soil. Bulbs should be planted a few inches apart and 3-4 inches deep with the pointy end facing up.  Crocus should be planted in large clusters several feet wide, to attract bees. This is also pleasing to the eye, since a single flower can get lost in a vast landscape. Consider planting early blooming crocuses in mass in lawns. Once they bloom you will have a beautiful carpet of cheery flowers come spring.

Photo by muffet via Creative Commons License
Photo by Muffet via Creative Commons License

To find more foraging plants for bees, please see Planting a Bee Friendly Garden.

Copyright © 2011-2014. Anita Deeley, BeverlyBees.com. All rights reserved.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

  1. Snowdrops: Winter Forage For Bees
  2. Blue Pollen, Honeybees and Siberian Squill
  3. Planting a Bee Friendly Garden
  4. Snowdrops for Bees

Feature image photo by photogirl7.1  via creative commons license.