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I thought you guys said Culver's root attracted a lot of pollinators

4 years ago

My clumps are blooming and I got nothin'...

Comments (17)

  • 4 years ago

    Are there pollinators elsewhere in the area?

    tj

  • 4 years ago

    no pic.. no proof they exist ...

  • 4 years ago

    Yes, I've seen them elsewhere in the garden but not in that immediate area -- there's not a lot blooming there other than some Annabelle hydrangea (which isn't highly attractive to them IME), and some freshly-planted zinnias. Normally the milkweed in the area is blooming by now, but mine had major setbacks this year, growth is recovering but blooming has been been delayed (posted in separate post about it). Not too far away the buzzers have been all over the rugosa roses so I figured they would have meandered over to the CR by now. Maybe when the CR is in full bloom? Only the main spire is open, the side spires have not -- so maybe not enough to entice the buzzers yet. {shrug}

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    "no pic.. no proof they exist ..."

    Uh, the Culver's root do indeed exist, I have 6 big clumps of them -- I do know what they are, I'm the one who planted them.

  • 4 years ago

    Usually mine are swarmed but the insects were conspicuously absent on them this year. I have seen very few wasps anywhere though. Plenty of bumblebees, small bees, and Andrena bees on milkweed, purple coneflowers, and others .

  • 4 years ago

    Mine are always covered with them. I moved all of mine so they are alittle behind this year...

  • 4 years ago

    I've never paid a lot of attention to whether they attract pollinators or not. I primarily grow them for the candelabra flowers which go so well with other things flowering at the same time - e.g hydrangeas and hardy hibiscuses and Russian sage.

  • 4 years ago

    Ok, well, I saw a couple bees buzzing around yesterday, so maybe they've finally discovered them and will go tell all their friends.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    It is my experience that they are great attractors of bees. But each year for the past few it seems to take longer and longer for these bees to "find" our stand of Culvers Root. (I imagine this is because there are less bees overall :( )

  • 4 years ago

    Nobody posted pics, but here's proof. These bumblebees are feasting.


  • 4 years ago

    Update: I think the bumbles told all their buddies, went out there this evening and saw a bunch of them thoroughly enjoying the Culver's root. A few other small buzzers, too. Made me happy. :0)

  • 4 years ago

    It's a joy to see insects on a flower, but I also assume that I'm just not always there to observe them when they're visiting. White flowers attract night flying insects for example. I've noticed some flowers have a more intense color or aroma when they're receptive to pollinators, and other times they're pale and nothing is around

  • 4 years ago



    (And yes, there is lots of insect life on the flowers)

  • 4 years ago

    Wow, I never heard of these, they are stunning! Going to start checking local nurseries this week to see if I can find one.

  • 4 years ago

    Yea, I am completely having to eat my words here...but in this case I don't even mind. The CR have been covered in buzzers the past couple days now that they're fully opened and the bumbles told all their buddies. The white ones are just starting to open, cup plant and rosinweed starting to open, too, so they'll be plenty to attact them over the next few weeks. :0)

  • 4 years ago

    All good @porkchop_z5b_MI! I am glad you "have to eat your words" :) for as @Skip1909 stated so well....It's a joy to see insects on a flower,