Peonies & Pollen

Honey bee snagging pollen from a peony at the Arb's peony garden
courtesy of my former co-worker Nick Hadwick. One nice thing
about a beekeeping blog is that people me send their cool photographs.

Beautiful. 

Peonies are generally associated with ants, but as you can see, honey bees like their flowers, too.

Our bee teachers suggested we garden to benefit honey bees. The list of "beneficial" plants included a bunch of invasive species like autumn olive, Japanese knotwood and black locust.

How do you wrap your mind around non-native species that are beneficial for human purposes, like earthworms and honey bees? Is the concept of native vs. invasive plants just a form of politically correct xenophobia? Is it shoveling against the tide? Or is climate change and ecosystem globalization nature's way of sloughing off the most invasive species of all...human beings?

Who knows? Myself, I'll plant peonies but stay away from purple loosestrife in my own garden. By the way, the Arb's peony garden (where this photo was taken) is in full bloom now and it a great time to visit. I'll be there on Monday from 11 to 7. Come see me, and bring your favorite photo.