Good shrubs for bees

[msrocket]

I'm in the process of ridding our yard of many crown-of-thorn plants, due to copious sticker injuries. However, crown-of-thorns are very popular with the bees. Does anyone have suggestions for equally bee-friendly replacement plants/shrubs?
Mahalo!

[Radiopeg]

The bees seem to love my Hawaiian Heather plants.

Peace and long life

[msrocket]

Peg,
Is Hawaiian Heather the same as false heather? I do have some of those. The bees seem to like yellow alder flowers, too.
Thanks for your suggestion!

[bananahead]

yes, its the same plant, but its NOT a native Hawaiian species, its an introduced invasive species in reality.

its native to Central America... a better name is 'Mexican Heather'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuphea_hyssopifolia



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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha

[Radiopeg]

Thanks, Bananahead, I knew it was not native. Do you have any suggestions from the local plants? I like the heather because it was already here. And I can pull up the smaller plants when it gets rambunctious. For me, it is almost a carefree plant.

Peace and long life

[kalakoa]

When my angeltrumpet is in full bloom, the bees are so numerous that I can hear them from the house.

[Carey]

CTAHR has a good read that will help you with some facts on planting a pollinator friendly garden in Hawaii. Of course, no native plant here initially relied on honeybees, as they are a western introduction, but the end of the article also has several good links for those interested in native plantings. CTAHR bee fact sheet link:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmg/news/V3...s-bees.pdf

[Radiopeg]

Carey, I just so appreciate your input into so many subjects here.

Peace and long life

[msrocket]

Thank you all for your suggestions!

[Peter Easterling]

Our star fruit tree attracts many bees, more this season than last. The tree has many small flowers and blooms for a long time. Our huge crop is just starting to ripen and the tree is already flowering like crazy. I checked to confirm carpenter bees are pollinators as we have an ohia carpenter bee apartment house.

And, like Radiopeg, thank you Carey. This is not the first time I have bookmarked a site you posted. While I tolerate the Punatalk lunacy, feuds and nonsense, even enjoy it to a point, I would not participate without you and some other solid contributors.