crepyt myrtles

[Keith13]

do the bees utilize this tree.. I guess this is sort of a southern US question

[Cindi]

Keith, yes I heard that the bees love this shrub.  I planted one this year, which I bought from a nursery.  I will know for surely myself if this is true, but I am positive it is.  BEautiful day in this great life. Cindi

[Keith13]

Cindi,
Isaw you called it a shrub. it must get cold enough where you are to kill it back in the winter. Down here in the south they grow to trees 30 or 40 feet tall well some species do of course you have the dwarf varieties as well, but IMHO it is the most overplanted tree in the south every new house it seems has 4 or 5 trees planted around it. but if the bees do in fact visit this tree I for sure will not care that it is as overplanted as it is

[JP]

I don't think these trees turn the bees on all that much.


...JP

[Cindi]

JP, oooh, time will tell that tale.  The variety that I planted evidently only grows to 8 feet maximum.  Different variety I guess.  I will be disappointed if the bees have not an interest, but that is OK, it sounded like a pretty shrub (not a tree here).  Beautiful and most awesomely great day, Cindi

[asprince]

My hives are located at a commercial tree farm with acres and acres of crape myrtle. I see a few bees on the white ones, but none on the colors. What a shame because they are so abundant here in the south and the blooming period is very long.

Steve   

[KONASDAD]

they go to white a fair amount and the red less. OK tree for bees. It does provide nectar when a lot of other plants have quit for the summer dog days and the fall flow hasn't yet arrived.

[JP]

JP, oooh, time will tell that tale.  The variety that I planted evidently only grows to 8 feet maximum.  Different variety I guess.  I will be disappointed if the bees have not an interest, but that is OK, it sounded like a pretty shrub (not a tree here).  Beautiful and most awesomely great day, Cindi

Its just not a tree the bees get a lot from, they are pretty to look at though, quite a beautiful tree, I have a dwarf one in my front yard.


...JP

[qa33010]

   I only see them on when there is nothing better available.

[JP]

To clarify even further, a friend and mentor of mine who has been keeping bees for well over twenty yrs says there is virtually nothing that crepe myrtles have to offer bees.


...JP