The plant, also popularly known as the mother-of-pearl shrub, seems to consist of countless small flowers in spring. But the Kolkwitze is not only there for the eyes of the gardener. Nature has dedicated them to other creatures. First and foremost, it is the bees that are attracted by the scent of the flowers.
Bees also love the fragrant flowers of Kolkwitzia
support nature
Bees are useful animals whose population must not be allowed to decline. But in order for these insects to continue pollinating our plants, they need a suitable habitat for themselves. This should offer them plenty of food, which is also not contaminated by pesticides.
In times of "modern" agriculture with its monocultures, however, the bees are increasingly running out of food. Everyone is called upon to make a contribution, no matter how small. With a Kolkwitzia, even an allotment gardener can do this wonderfully. Anyone who can even plant a whole Kolkwitzia hedge will make countless bees happy.
Fragrant flowers
The bees probably don't care what the flowers look like. They are attracted by the sweet scent that shows them the way to the delicious nectar. And the table for the insects is truly richly set. The shrub, originally from China, produces countless flowers year after year. Depending on the Kolkwitzia variety, these are white, pink or pink.
You are also welcome to stick your nose into the flowers to enjoy the scent. The Kolkwitzie is not poisonous, so direct contact does not have any unpleasant consequences. Unless you get stung by a bee! But if you keep an eye out for them, nothing can happen.
Optimal location for abundance of flowers
The location where the mother-of-pearl bush is particularly floriferous offers:
- plenty of sun
- Protection from wind
- Protection from rain
- lean earth
tips
If you only have a semi-shady place to offer, you will still get the Kolkwitzia to bloom if it is at least warm.
care is crucial
If in a year the kolkwitzia does not bloom, then it is lost as a source of food for bees. By the way, not only for bees, but also for bumblebees and other insects. It shouldn't come to that if you familiarize yourself with your care:
- never over-fertilize
- avoid large cuts
tips
If the flowering potential of a specimen has been fully exploited, you can conjure up new flowers in the garden by propagating the Kolkwitzia with cuttings, sticks or layering.