Roses Celebrate National Pollinator Week

June 23, 2013September 17, 2013 Gaga

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”
― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

 

Bees make us happy. We need these tiny workers. The sound of bees going about the business of feeding the world is a very good thing. Bees are attracted to roses. They particularly like Kimberlina

Stormy Weather, and Julia Child, just to name a few. To celebrate National Pollinator Week, June 17-23^rd plant some roses and your roses will attract bees to delight you.

Get close up and personal with bees

 

In all the years working in gardens of flowers a bee has never stung me. I have a message to those of you who may think bees present a gardening “peril;” I get very close to them to take these pictures and yet they tolerate me. I have accidentally stepped on rose thorns that pose more of a hazard than a bee; I opened a door and walked into a wasp that felt obligated to sting me although it wasn’t his fault, I surprised him. But a bee has never stung me.

When to plant roses

 It’s not too late to plant roses unless you are in a very hot climate. It’s best to plant roses before it gets into late summer. Some shippers have actually sent me emails saying they are still shipping but it is fairly late for mail order. Due to heat in shipping I believe it’s better to try and find an established potted rose to plant at this time. I have planted roses in the summer time if I keep them watered. Dehydration becomes a factor when you plant roses in the excessive heat of summer.

The sound of dawn

 

Dawn in the rose garden when the only sound is the gentle hum of the bees stirring busily moving from rose to rose, knowing that mankind’s survival rests on the wings of an unwitting, tireless tiny worker is a stirring event.

*Background of Pollinator Week  

“Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by the Pollinator Partnership.

Six years ago the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.  Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. The growing concern for pollinators is a sign of progress, but it is vital that we continue to maximize our collective effort.  The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture signs the proclamation every year.

The Pollinator Partnership is proud to announce that the United States Department of Interior has designated National Pollinator Week on June 17-23, 2013 by the Secretary of the Department of Interior, Sally Jewell.

The Pollinator Partnership is also proud to announce that June 17-23, 2013 has been designated National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”